North Queensland Razorbacks

ROUND 20 RESULT

NQ McDonald's Razorbacks 2 Sunshine Coast 4

Pigs to dig deep (TOWNSVILLE BULLETIN August 9th, 2010)

THE North Queensland McDonald’s Razorbacks are desperately hoping an underdog tag drags them from a slump that has them limping towards the finals. While North Queensland will play in the State League playoffs, they could not have asked for a much worse way to go in. Their winless run was extended to a more than worrying six games at Brolga Park on Saturday night, trounced by runaway competition leaders the Sunshine Coast Fire 4-2. From stamping themselves as legitimate title contenders when they became the first team to defeat the Fire seven weeks ago, Razorbacks coach Ken Mitchell concedes they have plenty of work ahead of them to re-establish that aura. "Not only (were they) too good, I think we need a dose of the self-confidence they have," Mitchell said of the Sunshine Coast. "They're not just in front of the football competition, their self-confidence, self-belief, their drive to win ... definitely for us we need to take a leaf from their book and learn from that." The loss, coupled with the Far North Queensland Bulls defeating the Brisbane Strikers, means the Pigs are destined to play their elimination final in two weeks against the Bulls in Mareeba. But with that news Mitchell believes may come a silver lining. He said his young squad, which had admittedly been affected by injury to senior players, had become preoccupied with the race for third place, distracting them from the football that secured them a finals berth in the first place. "We got back to 1-all (on Saturday), panicked and started to lose focus on the process because we were more concerned about the outcome," Mitchell said. "Whereas the whole year has been focused on making sure the processes are right (first) and that will achieve the outcome. We just need to get out processes back in place and the results will be there." But it wasn't all doom and gloom, with Jacob Crowley making an excellent starting debut up front, while David Bowater was excellent upon his return from a gruelling Australian schoolboy titles campaign. In further positive news, NQ are expected to welcome back injured duo Lorenzo Sipi and Lee Mayberry for the finals. First they must attempt to rediscover that winning feeling in a final-round showdown with Capricorn on Saturday night, but Mitchell said the Razorbacks' title tilt could definitely get back on track. "I think we can, but the whole approach has to be a bit different," he said. "Maybe the underdog tag will now sit comfortably with us and we can thrive of that," he said.

SUNSHINE COAST 4 (Blackman 3, Bacon) d RAZORBACKS 2 (Searle, Coppo).

ROUND 19 RESULT

QAS 2 NQ McDonald's Razorbacks 2 (Hay, Howe, 1 August)

Depleted Pigs in need of a win ANTONY STEWART (Townsville Bulletin August 2, 2010)

North Queensland McDonald’s Razorbacks COACH Ken Mitchell declared his team must again learn how to win after they were forced to settle for a draw yesterday. For the third straight game North Queensland split the points, this time a 2-all stalemate with the Queensland Academy of Sport in their round 19 clash at Meakin Park in Brisbane. It was also the third consecutive game and fifth time in six matches they gave up a lead, costing themselves victory. The Pigs led 2-nil at halftime after goals to Brett Hay and Shaun Howe, but were guilty of going away from what made them so dominant in the opening 45 minutes to invite QAS back into the game. "We can't seem to win a game, we can't seem to lose one," Mitchell lamented. "With the age of us and experience, tactically we become a bit naive and get countered on down the middle of the park. "In the second half we slowed down a little bit and started playing too direct and too straight and that's when you get countered on - we had everyone down the middle of the pitch and gave away two goals." QAS levelled in the 75th minute, giving both teams enough time for a shot at victory, while the Razorbacks came close on a few occasions. But Mitchell said the home team's goalkeeper proved the difference, ensuring the visitors remained frustrated. While not wanting to be overly critical of his young side, which is stepping up in the absence of numerous senior players through injury, he said it was essential they tasted that winning feeling soon. "It's just a situation of waiting for the players to get experienced enough to learn from it and learn how to win," he said. "We've been in front in every game for five out of the past six and we haven't won, so it's a giant learning curve. The best thing about it is we haven't lost and we're playing well enough to win, we've just got to turn it into three points."Despite their winless run, NQ remain in the hunt for a third-place finish and a home final. They are three points behind the FNQ Bulls, and with a superior goal difference, only need to finish level to steal their place. "They're motivated to be in the four and we're almost there, but their motivation is to get a home final," Mitchell said. "That is what is still driving the whole group on - they know they're not too far away from getting a result - they have just got to keep pushing on and keep working." Ahead of Saturday's showdown with league leaders Sunshine Coast, the Pigs will receive a boost, with David Bowater and David Han to return from representative duties at the Australian Schoolboy Titles.

ROUND 18 RESULT

NQ McDonald's Razorbacks 1 Whitsunday Miners 1 (24 July)

Mitchell worries for Pigs' mental health

ANTONY STEWART Townsville Bulletin July 26th, 2010

NQ McDonald’s RAZORBACKS' coach Ken Mitchell is praying his charges aren't being mentally scarred by a worrying recent trend of having games ripped from their grasp at the death. For the second consecutive State League game, North Queensland were forced to settle for a 1-all draw after a late goal from Whitsunday stole a point at Brolga Park on Saturday. Last week it was an almost identical story against the FNQ Bulls. A fortnight earlier Bundaberg snared a stunning late win while, bookmarked between those games, Brisbane scored late to ensure they too also took all three points. But of most concern to Mitchell is that all four strikes came from set pieces. "It's starting to become a bit of a concern mental-wise and (within the) self-belief of the side," Mitchell said. "I think it's a lack of concentration due to situations where we're a bit disorganised late in the game (and) fatigue sets in. With a restart, players generally have a tendency to switch off if they're not fully focused on what's going on ... so I'm more concerned by our mental well-being than just being disappointed." The injury concerns that have ravaged the Pigs haven't helped their cause, although they remain entrenched in the top four, with forced changes being a regularity week to week. And it will only get worse ahead of Sunday's round-19 clash with the Queensland Academy of Sport, with David Han and David Bowater to miss the game while playing at the national schoolboy titles. The long-awaited returns of Aaron Walker and Nathan Whitton will help ease the pain somewhat, but Mitchell won't rely on that alone to help North Queensland regain their killer edge. "Sometimes I get the feeling that with the amount of forced changes we've had to make, that we're back in pre-season and we're trying to gel the side together," he said. "All we can do in our conditioning sessions is to try some more team-building games where the players get some belief in each other and trust in each other. It's late in the season but we have to put ourselves in a situation where we get some stability back in the side."

ROUND 17 RESULT

Razorbacks blow it

Mitchell rues missed chance to put Bulls away ( Antony Stewart Townsville Bulletin 19 July)

The NQ McDonald’s Razorbacks are cursing missing what they believe was a golden chance to break their FNQ Bulls hoodoo on Saturday. But the 1-1 draw with their arch nemesis has ensured they retain the upper hand in the fight for a third place finish. The Bulls extended their unbeaten run to two years across five QSL clashes against the Razorbacks, with a scrappy late goal continuing a streak and breaking Pigs’ hearts in the process. Asked if it was three points dropped or a point gained after the visitors had the upper hand in the opening 45 minutes, NQ coach Ken Mitchell was firm on the former. ‘I’m probably a bit disappointed for us to concede so late” Mitchell lamented of a result that put an end to two straight losses. I thought our game plan had worked quite well and with us to get the goal…going to half time 1 0 up, I felt we got over the hurdle, so to concede so late off a set piece was a bit disappointing.” While it was three points missed for the Razorbacks after they led 1 -0 at half time, in truth they were probably feeling fairly fortunate to have snared the advantage on the back of a Josh Evans deflection into the net. FNQ were dominant for much of the first half, particularly the opening 25 minutes, but blew chance after chance in gaining an early advantage-a few that should have been routine strikes. But the injury depleted Pigs weathered the storm and came close to stealing the triumph until a 77^th minute goal mouth scramble on the back of a free kick ensured a stalemate. In hindsight, Razorbacks goalkeeper Daniel Wilesmith may wish he had tried to punch the FNQ cross away rather than trying to catch it in traffic, but Mitchell was not pointing any fingers of blame. He added that a bump from his own teammate may have been what sent the ball loose. Despite his disappointment, Mitchell did find positives, praising his team which came into the game with an average age of 19 following an ongoing run of injuries. With four games remaining in the regular season, third placed Razorbacks have a one point buffer on FNQ, which, if maintained would earn the Razorbacks a home elimination final. Both teams have just one clash against another team in the top four during that period. “The status quo remains, and to actually get ourselves back on track with a result against a team we’ve lost to quite regularly, it will hopefully give us some confidence,” Mitchell said.

ROUND 16 RESULT

NQ McDonald's Razorbacks 1 Brisbane Strikers 3 (10 July)

Sipi injury puts doubt over Pigs (Townsville Bulletin Antony Stewart July 12)

AN injury to rising star Lorenzo Sipi has made a bitter pill harder to swallow for the North Queensland Razorbacks. The Townsville-based Queensland State League side all but kissed their chances of a top-two finish goodbye at the weekend when they went down in an entertaining arm-wrestle with the Brisbane Strikers.North Queensland lost 3-1 at Brolga Park, a result that leaves them seven competition points adrift of the second-placed Strikers with five rounds remaining in the regular season. But if that wasn't hard enough to take, the Pigs are also facing the prospect of being without Sipi for up to a month, while experienced midfielder Lee Mayberry will almost certainly also miss this week's game. Sipi strained his hamstring and Mayberry sustained an ankle injury both in the first half. "We'll see how he pulls up, I'm hoping it's not more than a month because the season will be over and done with before he comes back," Razorbacks coach Ken Mitchell said of Sipi. "Lee got in a tackle and (an opposition player's) studs have got him in the ankle and it puffed up straight away." The pair join a handful of other experienced Pigs players on the sideline, including leading scorer David Mayes. With a second chance in the finals basically beyond them unless many other results go their way, the Razorbacks' focus turned to keeping third place, which would ensure home ground advantage for the elimination final. They have a one-point buffer on arch rivals FNQ Bulls, who they meet in Townsville on Saturday night. Despite the defeat - the Pigs' second consecutive - Mitchell was more than satisfied with his charges' efforts. North Queensland opened the scoring through Josh Searle after just two minutes, but the advantage was fleeting as QSL leading scorer Matthew Thurtell levelled and Brad MacDonald handed the visitors the lead soon after. To rub salt into the Razorbacks' wounds, former NQ player and reigning player of the year, Sean Burke, put the game beyond doubt with a trademark strike in the 65th minute. But Mitchell, who was adamant the team played well enough to at least earn a point from a draw, said his players should keep their heads held high. "I'm saddened for the players, the amount of effort they put in for the lack of reward that they got out of it was a little bit disappointing for them I feel for them a lot," he said. "The game was really a street fight, end to end stuff ... and I was really happy with how the young boys went. "In the future as we start to grow, the chances that we had we had a lot in the second half we'll probably start to convert as we get a bit of experience about us."

ROUND 15 RESULT

Bundaberg Spirit 2 NQ McDonald's RAZORBACKS 1 (3 July)

'Backs to wall after shock loss to Spirit (Townsville Bulletin July 5th, 2010)

THE Razorbacks were taught a harsh but valuable lesson in the role desire and enthusiasm plays in football on Saturday. High-flying North Queensland were stunned by State League cellar dwellers the Bundaberg Spirit, who lived up to their nickname and recorded a dramatic come-from-behind 2-1 triumph at Martens Oval. Having been unbeaten since the end of May and boasting a win against competition leaders Sunshine Coast along the way, to say the defeat was a shock would be a major understatement. But Pigs coach Ken Mitchell said his team failed to heed pre-game warnings that Bundaberg were a team on the rise after the arrival of a handful of A-League youth players, and were punished accordingly. "Their desire and their commitment ... we couldn't match their enthusiasm, and I think we were probably a little bit complacent at times and now it's a learning moment for us," he said. "We've gone the full circle and now we have to respect what's happened. "We were flying high a couple of weeks ago, but now we actually have to get back down to earth and get on with the job." The Razorbacks were the first to score, with Michael Coppo finding the back of the net in the 27th minute. They almost doubled their advantage soon after when a Josh Searle shot slammed into the crossbar. But it was a flurry of goal-mouth action that probably played against North Queensland in the end, and possibly lulled them into a false sense of security that the game was theirs for the taking. As the visitors' intensity and execution dipped, the Spirit pounced as Ray Miller levelled the scores in the 77th minute. "Once they equalised there was no holding them back, they stormed home," Mitchell said. Central Coast Mariner Nick Fitzgerald, one of three players on loan to the Spirit from A-League teams, banged home the winner three minutes later, sparking mass celebrations. The loss sees the Razorbacks fall four points behind the second-placed Brisbane Strikers with six games remaining. But in what Mitchell believes may be a blessing in disguise, they have a chance to hit straight back against the Strikers. "Everyone's hurting at the moment their reputation and their pride's a bit dented, but they'll bounce back," he said. "Maybe it was the reality check we actually needed. "If we got a positive result (Saturday) night and strolled into the Strikers thinking we were invincible they may have really embarrassed us, but we have to go in there now with a bit more hardened attitude."

ROUND 14 RESULT

NQ McDonald's RAZORBACKS 2 Capricorn Cougars 0 (26 June)

Two early goals in the second half to Mitchell Robinson and Robin Edwards secured all three points for the NQ McDonald's Razorbacks against a tough Capricorn Cougars side to maintain their charge to the finals.

Robinson makes his mark

(ANTONY STEWART, Townsville Bulletin, June 28)

GOAL celebrations may not be his thing, but Mitchell Robinson's explosion on to the scene has him on the cusp of creating one of the most devastating combinations in the State League. That's what pumped-up North Queensland Razorbacks coach Ken Mitchell reckons, anyway. Robinson, 18, continued to repay the Pigs mentor's faith by helping the team to its third straight victory on Saturday - a 2-nil win over Capricorn at Brolga Park. Brought in during a horror run of injuries that robbed the Razorbacks of some of their most experienced players, Robinson has played with poise belying his age. The Rebels junior scored his maiden QSL goal just after halftime and has made it impossible for Mitchell to drop him from the squad, even though a couple of senior players are expected to return in coming weeks. ''When I have watched him a few times he has had the tendency with his age to drift in and out of the game, but the last two games he's played the 90 minutes out and played very well,'' Mitchell said. ''Brett Hay will come back in the near future, but with Mitch's speed alone and his tenacity and Brett on the other side, it may turn us into a potent attacking force on the wide areas. ''So it's going to be a very difficult decision to see who changes in the squad when everyone's fit and well.'' Robinson's NQ under-19 team mates David Bowater and Guy Bimrose also produced impressive performances. But there is one area Robinson may have to work on in the final seven rounds of the season - his goal celebrations. ''Young kids, too much World Cup, they think they can do whatever the World Cup players do and everyone told him 'that's a bit ordinary mate, you'll have to work a bit harder on it','' Mitchell laughed. ''He was over near one of the corner flags trying to dance with it like Tim Cahill, but nowhere like Tim Cahill's expertise. ''But it was great to see him get the goal, it was an important moment for us to actually take the goal and it was good to see him have the calmness to slot it away in the corner, which really took the pressure off us.'' Less than five minutes later Robyn Edwards doubled the advantage to all but secure a win for the home team. Victory also helped them further eat into Sunshine Coast's lead at the top of the ladder after the Fire had a shock 3-3 draw with cellar-dwellers Bundaberg, with 11 points now separating the sides. But, for the moment, Mitchell said the Razorbacks' focus remained on a second-place finish.

ROUND 13 RESULT

Sunshine Coast 1 NQ McDonald's RAZORBACKS 2 (20 June)

Pigs extinguish the Fire ( Antony Stewart Townsville Bulletin 21 June)

Under strength side beats hoodoo to outplay opponents

If there was a pretender tag hanging over the NQ McDonald’s Razorbacks, it’s officially been replaced by “contender”. The Pigs sent shock waves through the Queensland State League yesterday when they beat the previously considered indestructible Sunshine Coast on their own turf. Despite being down on strike power through a horrific injury list, the Razorbacks struck in each half through inspirational Josh Searle to inflict a 2 – 1 defeat on the Fire- their first loss in 13 games. Just to make the effort all the more herculean. The visitors closed out the final 15 minutes with 10 men after Jacob Crowley was sent off for an aggressive tackle. “Other than us making the semi final in our first year, I think this is probably the biggest result,” a delighted Razorbacks coach Ken Mitchell said yesterday. “To do it a little under strength and do it in such a surprising manner, I think it’s a really big day for the club”. It also marked the first time the Razorbacks have beaten the Sunshine Coast in three years of the QSL – eight games – meaning they have now beaten all their big city rivals after getting the points against Brisbane earlier this year. Along the way it helped wipe away the nightmare memories of the 7 nil drubbing in the semi finals they suffered at the hands of the Fire in their debut QSL season in 2008. “The young lads that came in had never experienced playing against Sunshine Coast before so they didn’t understand the history of it and just went out and played as an innocent party and gave everything and that stood them in good stead. Maybe we just started a new era – a snapshot of the future Razorbacks” said Mitchell. Minus strikers Brett Hay, leading scorer David Mayes and Robin Edwards, Josh Searle took on sole marksmanship duties for the Pigs as they looked to clutter the midfield and shut down the Fire’s attacking prowess. The plan worked, with Pigs goalkeeper Kieran Gonzalez not forced into a regulation save all game. Sunshine Coast’s goal was awarded as an own goal, while there were question marks over whether was fouled as the ball crossed the line, nut the Razorbacks protestations were ignored by the officials. But rather than wilt in the face of controversy, they lifted and Searle, who scored the winner in last week’s triumph over QAS netted his second minutes later. “He’s coming back from injury, had a lot of doubt in his mind about his form and stuff like that, so I’m over the moon with every single one of them, but he showed the quality Josh Searle actually possesses.” Mitchell said.

ROUND 12 RESULT

NQ McDonald's RAZORBACKS 1 v QAS 0 (12 June)

Pigs scrap to gutsy win ( Antony Stewart Townsville Bulletin)

Coach Ken Mitchell compared the NQ McDonald’s Razorbacks season to a soap opera after yet another key player was struck down by injury in Saturday’s clash with the Queensland Academy of Sport in round 12 of the Hyundai Queensland State League. But the good news was this week’s script ended on a high for the NQ McDonald’s Razorbacks. Despite losing leading scorer David Mayes to a potentially serious knee injury early, the Pigs battled to a 1 – 0 win. It snapped a three game winless streak and has lifted spirits ahead of a showdown with ladder leaders Sunshine Coast. With FNQ losing to Capricorn Cougars, the Razorbacks has moved to third place and within touching distance of second place Brisbane Strikers. After a tough few weeks Mitchell said the result at Brolga Park was just what the doctor ordered. “It was massively important…with the tightness between ourselves, the FNQ Bulls and Brisbane in second, us and fourth- every result is very important to us now. “ Mitchell said. “We’re third and if we can get to second when we turn into the third round, we’ll get the double chance in the finals.” Josh Searle played the role of hero in this week’s soap opera, scoring the winning goal soon after being shifted into the forward line when Mayes left the filed inside the first five minutes. The 27 year old, whose own season has been interrupted by injury, collected a good pass from midfielder Chris Scuderi, slipped between two defenders and, on an angle, calmly slotted the ball past ex Townsville goalkeeper Matt Acton. “For someone who has been out for a while, he was very composed in front of goals. He took it very well. The last few weeks he hasn’t been playing and he probably wouldn’t have been as composed as normal, but he settled himself down and got back to the Josh Searle of old with his goal scoring feats.” Mitchell was also full of praise for his young back line, which stood tall without gun player Lorenzo Sipi. The team was also without former Australia under 23 player Jacob Timpano who has left for Sydney. Promoted from the under 19’s Guy Bimrose and David Bowater showed no fear. “I am really happy that the young guys were able to come into the side and show they are up to that calibre.” Mitchell said. “Guy and David will now stay part of our squad more regularly. They showed they are very good replacements and fit into the side very well-so I am going to keep giving them an opportunity each chance I get” Mayes the league’s second top goalscorer will undergo scans on his knee. While too early to make a call, Mitchell remained hopeful the marksman would not be sidelined for too long.

ROUND 11 RESULT

WHITSUNDAY MINERS 2 V NQ RAZORBACKS 2 (5 June)

Pigs have turned the corner: coach ANTONY STEWART (Townsville Bulletin)June 7th, 2010

RAZORBACKS coach Ken Mitchell is confident North Queensland have turned the corner despite finishing a nightmare three-game State League road trip without a win. The Pigs recorded their first point of the testing period with a come-from-behind 2-all draw against Whitsunday in Mackay. While drawing with a side sitting outside the top four may ordinarily be seen as points lost, after NQ looked as good as gone at 2-nil down in the first half, internally it was seen as a point gained. The smiles were tarnished, though, with two strikers set for potentially extended stints on the sidelines. Teenager Brett Hay suffered an injury to his Achilles tendon and will undergo scans today to discover the extent of the damage, while Robyn Edwards received a bad cork when he scored the levelling goal. Both were hurt before halftime. With so many setbacks, it is little wonder Mitchell was pleased to escape Mackay with a draw. ''I was pretty satisfied ... I think we turned the corner a little bit,'' he said. Mitchell hailed the character of his side, which found themselves down 2-nil after 33 minutes despite dominating possession and creating a number of strong scoring chances. While the first-season Pigs coach had been critical of his team's wastefulness in front of goal in the past two weeks, he said it was the astute goal keeping of Brad Moss that proved the difference. As well as repelling the Razorbacks early first-half onslaught, he also ensured they would not steal a late winner. First David Mayes was thwarted in the shadows of fulltime before a blazing Lorenzo Sipi long-range strike was deflected by Moss on to the post and then the ball ran parallel to the goal mouth. ''For us to be 2-nil down and all the hard work we'd done in the past week after the Mareeba loss, the players could have become very despondent and rolled over, but they showed a lot of character,'' Mitchell said. ''The chances we created were on target, but sometimes the person between the posts has a say in what's going on.''

ROUND 10 RESULT

FNQ BULLS 2 V NQ RAZORBACKS 0

Mitchell lets fly as Pigs fail to convert

ANTONY STEWART (Townsville Bulletin) May 31st, 2010

A FRUSTRATED Ken Mitchell has warned his Razorbacks can kiss State League premiership dreams goodbye unless they react to stern warnings issued by the top teams. For the second week in a row North Queensland failed to convert their chances and it proved costly. Far North Queensland, on the other hand, took theirs and eventually cruised to a 2-nil victory in Mareeba. While the Pigs have piled on the goals against some of the QSL's lesser lights, coach Mitchell accused them of being wasteful when faced with high-flyers they believe they should be vying with for the title. He said it had to stop - now. ''We've been taught the cruellest lesson, and we're continually taught it by sides like the Sunshine Coast, the Strikers and (FNQ), about converting our pressure into goals and actually taking control of the game,'' Mitchell said. ''We probably started the best we've started against (FNQ) in a long time ... but there are some significant moments in games where we need to learn to play behind sides and convert our chances. ''Against quality teams you are only going to get a certain amount of pressure moments and ... we just don't take those significant moments and turn them into goals.'' North Queensland's defeat was their second on the trot, dropping them to fourth spot, and they are yet to register a win against the Bulls in four attempts. Mitchell said he would steer clear of personnel changes, but alterations in attitude, training techniques and effort would need to be implemented immediately. ''It comes down to the practice moments at training. We have to actually start to say that the standard of conversion rate there is no longer acceptable at State League level,'' he said. ''We have to start to lift the ante if we want the recognition of winning the league or trying to finish in the top two or three. ''We have been trying to keep our (training) program where we have a bit of variety of where we work continually on keeping possession of the ball ... but we probably have to do more shooting games.'' Striker Nathan Bird proved the difference, netting two second-half goals to help the Bulls leapfrog the Pigs on the ladder.

ROUND 9 RESULT

BRISBANE STRIKERS 1 V NQ RAZORBACKS 0

Pigs still a chance for Fury spot

ANTONY STEWART (Townsville Bulletin May 24th, 2010)

THE Razorbacks may have lost, but coach Ken Mitchell reckons ''the culprits'' for a North Queensland Fury contract did their chances no harm in Brisbane on Saturday night. North Queensland went down 1-0 in an armwrestle of a contest that saw Brisbane Strikers coach Stuart McLaren bow out on a high before taking his assistant post with the A-League club today. It was a golden chance for young Razorbacks Lorenzo Sipi and Brett Hay, in particular, to impress, with the Fury placing an emphasis on recruiting talented locals in their 23-man squad.Despite the defeat, Mitchell said the pair had no reason to hang their heads. ''All the culprits you would think would be the ones there and about - young Brett played very well, Sipi played very well - and the other ones put in a good, solid performance to say 'I'm here','' he said. ''It will be up to Stuey as he sees more of those players over coming months whether he thinks that they are truly at A-League level.'' Neither team created too many chances in a primarily midfield battle almost identical to the sides' round one showdown in Townsville, won on that occasion by the home team 1-0. As in that game it was the team that jumped on an opening that came out on top, with Brisbane striker Matthew Thurtell's neatly taken goal in the shadows of halftime proving the difference. ''It was always going to be destined to be one goal in it and they got it,'' Mitchell said. ''It was probably a fair result ... they're two very close sides and it's going to remain like that throughout the year.'' The loss saw North Queensland dip to third on the ladder, one point behind Brisbane, while the FNQ Bulls' 5-2 victory over Bundaberg created a log-jam, with just two points separating second from fourth. To rub salt into the Pigs' wounds, leading goalscorer David Mayes strained a bicep muscle and is in doubt for next week. Goalkeeper Kieran Gonzalez (knee) and Josh Searle (ankle) were also hurt, but Mitchell is hopeful both will be fit to battle the Bulls in Mareeba on Saturday night.

Timpano relishing opportunity

Former North Queensland Fury defender Jacob Timpano is relishing the opportunity of getting back to his normal playing self after he agreed to terms with playing out the remainder of the NSW Premier League season with 2009 Premiers Sydney United. The tall stopper was set to play his second season with the Fury before he was told by the club his services were no longer required which gutted the former Young Socceroo. “It was hard to take as I really wanted to honour my second year with the club as I was getting back to full fitness and knew that this year was to be a key season for me. “After the FFA stepped in though things changed at the club and I was told that I had to look elsewhere and did just that with Sydney United being the team I selected in getting me back into the game.” Timpano struggled in his first season with the Fury after he sustained a nasty hamstring injury that hampered his debut season with the Queensland based club. It was frustrating to say the least as I was itching to play first team football and wanted to stake my claim as a starter in the side but this injury occurred which set me back. “The bad thing was that the club didn’t have a National Youth League side so getting match fit was very tough.” During his time of rehabilitation the 24-year-old played nine matches for Queensland Soccer League side North Queensland Razorbacks which kept the Wollongong born defender ticking over. “It was good playing with the Razorbacks in the local competition up at Queensland as they kept me match fit and I was enjoying my football there with a great bunch of guys. “After a long layoff from the game it was pleasing to have been involved with a club that made me enjoy my football once more.” Timpano knew that he needed a move in alerting the attention of potential A-League suitors and sought a keen interest in returning back to the NSW Premier League where he was once a part of in 2004 with the then Wollongong Wolves. I last played in the NSW Premier League with the Wolves in 2004 when the NSL went defunct. “That was the only option any football had at the time and I remember the standard back then was very high so returning back this time round was a must for me in getting me back into shape and also hoping to gain the attention of an A-League side. “One of my many goals with United is to play well for the Reds and hopefully get a sniff with an A-League side.” Timpano did keep a close eye on how the NSW Premier League was travelling thanks to the official NSW Premier League website (www.nswpl.com.au). “I did get on the NSW Premier League website on a weekly basis in seeing how the teams went especially the Wolves as I was a former player there.
“I was also kept up to date with what was going on with the clubs through the mates I have playing in the league.” West Sydney Berries and South Coast Wolves were circling Timpano but the tough tackling defender decided that United was the way to go. “It was a tough decision as I had both the Berries and Wolves talking to me and I wanted to make sure I made the right decision for my playing career. “I knew that hopefully the way things are going at United that they’d be playing finals football and that chances of me playing more football appealed to me along with linking up with my former teammate at Sydney FC David Zdrilic.” Timpano and Zdrilic were of course part of the Grand Final winning Sydney FC side in 2005/2006 season. “That was a great year for everyone involved in football and at Sydney FC. I kept in close contact with ‘Zdrilla’ and have had a massive respect for him back then and now both as a player and coach. “I believe that he has a future as a coach in years to come and I am looking forward to playing alongside him once more.” Ironically Timpano’s first two matches for the Reds will be against the two teams he was courted by with the Berries this weekend and the Wolves next weekend. “It’s funny how football works and when I saw the draw I couldn’t believe my luck when I saw what my first two matches were. “I understand that the standard of football in the NSW Premier League has picked up and I know that every week will be battle for the three points but I am willing to go that extra mile in winning as many matches as possible. “I need to give 100% for Sydney United and want to assist them in winning trophies and playing finals football. I know they are a team who take pride in playing for the jersey and always have the will to win so it will be good to be around this pressure once more.” By Mark Stavroulakis

Mayes on fire in State League

(Anthony Stewart Townsville Bulletin) 17 May

FOR years David Mayes has been frustrated and hampered by the physical and mental scars of injury. Now, with that behind him, the NQ McDonald’s Razorback is clearly taking his frustrations out on the Hyundai Queensland State League. Mayes on Saturday night continued a rich vein of form in 2010, nailing his seventh goal in four outings and second hat-trick as he led North Queensland to a thumping 5-2 win over Bundaberg at Brolga Park. The 24-year-old attacking midfielder netted once in the first-half, as the Pigs went to the break up 2-1, before bagging his trifecta with back-to-back goals in the space of three minutes straight after the break. ''When he first came to us he was struggling with an osteitis injury (a bone disease) and always found it hard to find his full fitness - he's now back to his full fitness and he's managing it very well,'' NQ coach Ken Mitchell said. ''He's done really well playing in behind the main striker and it really suits him there.'' The three goals have put him equal-top as the Hyundai QSL's most lethal marksman, and with another likely man-of-the-match award Mayes will probably lead the competition's MVP voting after eight rounds. He has always had an uncanny knack of being in goal-scoring positions, but his finishing had occasionally let him down. Mitchell said Mayes, who trained with the Fury A-League team last season, was benefitting from the confidence that came with not having to worry about managing injury week-in, week-out. ''You'll find over the last couple of years he was getting as many chances as what he is now, it's just his conversion rate was down a bit, and I think that was just a result of how sore and tired he was,'' he said. ''With his body being in good shape now and actually feeling pain-free he's able to do a lot more things, get through to the ball a lot better, which is helping him as well. ''If he's physically well, he's mentally well.'' NQ's victory has helped them cement equal-second place on the ladder and surge four points clear of fourth-placed FNQ. The only sour note for the Pigs came on the injury front, with Aaron Walker suffering a suspected facial fracture after a first-half clash of heads with a Bundaberg attacker. Brett Hay won the Man of the Match Award for the Razorbacks. NQ RAZORBACKS 5 (Mayes 3, Hay, OG) d BUNDABERG 2 (Mills, Causer)

Pigs stand up to Cats

(Anthony Stewart Townsville Bulletin 10 May)

The NQ McDonald’s Razorbacks withstood an onslaught and then dished out some punishment during an impressive win over the Capricorn Cougars on Saturday 8 May in Rockhampton. Despite the 5 – 0 thrashing of the Cougars, it is fair to say that the final scoreline was not a direct indication of the closeness of the round seven Hyundai Queensland State League clash. So much so that Razorbacks coach Ken Mitchell said that he would have happily gone into halftime with his side 1 nil down. Instead it was the Pigs that led by that margin and it sparked a second half avalanche of goals. “I was really happy with how hard we fought to be in the game and go into the arm wrestle with the Cougars. It was even more pleasing in the second half when we changed the game plan and the players actually stayed dedicated to the game plan and very disciplined and did very well. Obviously it showed in the goals that we got, but it was more our defensive structure that broke them down and allowed us to break out and get those goals.” The Razorbacks spread the scorers around, with David Mayes netting in the first half, before Anthony Galliozzi, Sean Howe, Robin Edwards and Josh Searle rubbed salt into the Cougars wounds. Mitchell was proud how the Razorbacks bounced back after a heart breaking loss to competition leaders Sunshine Coast last week. “I thought we would get there a little bit tired and a bit fatigued, but we stuck to our guns and started right from the beginning, which has been a problem over the last couple of weeks against the Miners and the Bulls. We were right on the money this week and started very well, then continued throughout the game. The victory saw the Razorbacks surge to a share of second place on the ladder, third on goal difference, after Brisbane Strikers had a surprising draw with QAS and the Bulls were shock losers to the Miners. The goals continued to flow for North Queensland in the under 19’s with the Razorbacks thrashing Capricorn 7 – 0.

Pigs go down in nail biter

For those football supporters who couldn’t make it to last night’s Hyundai Queensland State League game at Brolga Park, you missed a good game. The NQ McDonald’s Razorbacks acquitted themselves well against top of the table team, Sunshine Coast Fire, with Anthony Galliozzi scoring a great goal to put the Razorbacks in front in the 22nd minute. Sunshine Coast then followed with two goals prior to the half-time break. The second half saw the Razorbacks play all over their opponents with many goal scoring opportunities denied. The crowd was kept on the edge of their seats for the last twenty minutes as the Razorbacks constantly sought to put another ball in the back of the net. While this game did not end with the result we would have wished, the Razorbacks kept the Sunshine Coast to their lowest goal scoring game so far this season and showed they are definitely a team to be reckoned with. Round 7 of the HQSL sees the NQ McDonald’s Razorbacks travel to Rockhampton to compete against the Capricorn Cougars on Saturday 8 May at 7pm.

QAS V NQ McDONALD'S RAZORBACKS (25 April)

Round 5 of the Hyundai Queensland State League saw the NQ McDonald’s Razorbacks travel to Brisbane to take on Queensland Academy of Sport at Meakin Park at 2pm on Sunday. Game preparation was hurried due to Meakin Park gates opening just before 1pm on ANZAC Day. Despite this, the Razorbacks put on an impressive display against a QAS side currently missing a few players due to representative duties. David Mayes waited until this round to open his goal scoring account with two goals from good build-up play by Robin Edwards in the first half. Brett Hay, who was provided with a through ball from Lee Mayberry on half way, split the QAS defence to add to his tally. Buljubasic from the QAS constantly troubled the Razorbacks defence and managed to score one goal just prior to the half-time break. The hot conditions in Brisbane saw the QAS run out of steam in the second half and a final goal from David Mayes finished off the game with the final score of 4-1 to the Razorbacks. A few niggling injuries may see some players rested from training this week, but all should be available for the Round 6 home game against the Sunshine Coast on Saturday 1 May, 7:30pm at Brolga Park.

NQ McDONALD'S RAZORBACKS 2 WHITSUNDAY MINERS 0 (17 April)

The Whitsunday Miners were extremely competitive in the first 20 minutes of Round 4, but were unable to breach the Razorbacks defence led by captain, Michael Lancini.

Left-sided midfielder, Brett Hay, didn't allow a cut above his eye to prevent him from being involved in the game when, head bandaged to control bleeding, Hay scored the first goal for the Razorbacks and his first goal for this season. The Miners seemed to lose momentum following this Razorbacks goal and rarely troubled from that point on. Invitational striker, Robin Edwards of MA Olympic, proved a welcome addition to the Razorbacks team, playing extremely well on debut. The Razorbacks second goal was scored by centre midfielder, Lee Mayberry, who hit a boomer from 25 yards out. Man of the Match for the NQ McDonald's Razorbacks was awarded to David Mayes.

FNQ BULLS 3 NQ McDONALD'S RAZORBACKS 1 (10 April)

Injuries in the first half to starting line-up members, Michael Coppo and Jake Navarro and the send off of our youngest player, David Han, saw the NQ McDonald's Razorbacks at a distinct disadvantage on Saturday night. FNQ Bulls scored their first goal 13 seconds into the game and followed up with a second goal at the 12 minute mark. Jake Navarro then scored what was to be the only goal for the Razorbacks, however this goal resulted in him leaving the field with a knee injury. Following this goal, the NQ McDonald's Razorbacks troubled their opponents looking for the equaliser but unfortunately were still down 2-1 at the half-time break with only 10 men. Despite FNQ Bulls scoring another goal in the second half, the Razorbacks fought hard until the final whistle. The task of finding suitable replacements for Michael Coppo (hamstring), Jake Navarro (knee) and David Han (suspension) now rests with coach, Ken Mitchell prior to Round 4 v Whitsunday Miners at Brolga Park on Saturday 17 April at 7:30pm. On a positive note, players returning from injury include Aaron Walker who is currently training, Chris Scuderi returns to training this week and Joshua Searle is expected in another two weeks.

NQ McDONALD'S RAZORBACKS 1 BRISBANE STRIKERS 0 (3 April) Anthony Stewart Townsville Bulletin

The Razorbacks defiantly declared their days of being southern Queensland whipping boys over on Saturday. For the first time in Hyundai Queensland State League history, North Queensland inflicted defeat on perennial premiership high-flyers the Brisbane Strikers, snatching a 1-nil victory at Brolga Park. It leaves Sunshine Coast as the only team they are yet to beat in the eight-team competition after completing round two of the year three of Hyundai QSL. But Razorbacks coach Ken Mitchell believes the confidence his team took from the triumph would be a huge step towards ending the southern hoodoo all together. "It's good to actually get a result when you've been striving really hard for the last couple of years to beat them," he said. To get to that stage it has shown that our team is going to start to take another step. That's the positive side of it, once we got that monkey off our back, the players can now have a bit more self-belief and go into every game knowing they're capable of getting a result in the Hyundai Queensland State League." It was a different Strikers side to the one that contested last year's grand final, but there was still no doubting their talent. Brisbane boasted former A-League player Ben Griffen and Jordan Farina - son of former Australian international Frank - as well as a handful of players who were members of the Roar's youth team. "They're probably a bit younger than they've had in the last couple of years, but they certainly aren't lacking in talent," Mitchell said. Both teams had their chances to open the scoring - including former Razorback Sean Burke, who struck the post with a long-range bullet moments after coming on as a substitute in the second half. But it was the Pigs who claimed the honours, breaking the deadlock in the 80th minute, when striker Anthony Galliozzi connected with a cross from Lee Mayberry from a corner. The Razorbacks now have a one-win, one draw record. "(The players) were very excited, quietly chuffed with themselves, Mitchell said. "But they realise that the three points mean nothing if we don't go to Mareeba and get a result there."