Doggies Fall Short Against Gold Coast
Image supplied by Alan Minifie
A late Nick Robinson goal was not enough for Capalaba FC as they succumbed to a frustrating 2-1 National Premier Leagues defeat against a ten-man Gold Coast United on Sunday.
The defender converted in the 90th minute at Coplick Family Sports Park, but it proved merely consolatory as the hard-working Bulldogs failed to reel in their fellow mid-tablers despite their numerical advantage.
The hosts defended for the best part of an hour with ten men in the niggling contest – and survived a pair of strong second-half penalty shouts - following the 30th minute dismissal of Brandon Reeves.
The result drops the Bulldogs to tenth on the NPL Queensland ladder, but still holding games in hand on the majority of their league rivals.
In their first away clash since the COVID restart, the Bulldogs were forced on the back foot early – stunned in just the second minute as Zander Guy tucked away a first-time finish to open accounts.
And while the visitors soon wrested control of possession and field position, they struggled to fashion scoring chances as Bulldogs custodian Michael Weier proved the busier of the shot-stoppers with a series of regulation stops.
Reeves’ dismissal following a second yellow card afforded David Booth’s side more space but scoring chances remained elusive for the remainder of the half for both sides.
The Bulldogs came closest to levelling terms just minutes after the restart when Scot Coulson saw his fierce, dipping hit tipped on to the cross bar by United keeper Aidan Munford.
Soon after United duo Michael Thwaite and Sam Smith failed to capitalise on chances for the hosts, while Ryo Ono was only foiled by Munford’s sharp near-post save immediately prior to the hour for the visitors.
Fortunes seemingly turned when Smith missed the chance to double the lead for United approaching the final quarter hour – spraying his one-on-one finish wide of the near post.
However, the Bulldogs’s frustration soon returned as a strong handball shout against Tyler Wagstaffe was waived away amidst a goal mouth scramble.
Substitute Alex Warrilow was next to threaten in the 83rd minute but saw his deflected strike tipped over by Munford – the resulting corner again seeing a handball shout against Wagstaffe go unheeded by match officials.
With five minutes remaining, United further capitalised on their let-offs as Cian Cuba doubled their lead by converting a 20-yard free-kick, conceded by Robinson.
The defender made amends on the cusp of injury time with his first goal of the season – getting the final touch amidst a corner kick scramble that also saw telling touches from Stuart Edgar and Ono in the build-up.
However, it proved too little too late as the Bulldogs fell to their third defeat in four away matches this season.
The Bulldogs return to John Fredericks Park for their next assignment against Brisbane City next Saturday night.