Soccer: Positive finish to woeful Kingz season

By TERRY MADDAFORD

It goes into the record books as a 4-3 victory but the Football Kingz' win over Brisbane Strikers at Ericsson Stadium yesterday was memorable for a lot more than the final result.

It was the first time this season they had scored four goals. It was also their fourth win of the season, one better than their worst ever campaign in 2001-2002.

But - and coach Tommy Mason was the first to admit it - they only got the points following one of the worst refereeing decisions imaginable.

With 10 minutes to play and the score locked at 3-3, Kingz striker Tallan Martin and Brisbane goalkeeper Corey Baldock were chasing a harmless ball as it crossed the goal line.

With no chance either player would get to it, Baldock, with absolutely no intent, might have clipped Martin.

Both players fell but then turned in amazement to see referee Derek Rugg pointing to the penalty spot.

Harry Ngata, via the underside of the crossbar, beat Baldock to complete the scoring.

It was the second time Rugg had awarded the Kingz a penalty. The first, in the 45th minute, was just as controversial - for different reasons.

Ngata was stopped in his tracks by Brisbane player-coach Stu McLaren inside the penalty area. Rugg pointed, Ngata converted (for 2-1) but only after Kingz players, incensed that McLaren was not sent off or even booked, had remonstrated with Rugg.

"I should have gone. I would have had no complaint if he had sent me [off]," said McLaren later. "He [Rugg] has often left me wondering with some of his decisions.

"I don't blame him entirely. I blame those people who keep giving him the whistle."

The game, with nothing on it for either team, produced seven goals but not a lot else.

"The score flattered us," said Mason. "It was the end of the season for us and we obviously wanted to win but for the first 30 minutes they were running the show.

"Then, all of a sudden, we came in [at halftime] 2-1 ahead."

The visitors took the lead in the seventh minute when Matt McKay was on hand to poke the ball home after Steve Fitzsimmons had his attempt parried by Kingz goalkeeper Michael Utting.

Play continued to swing from end to end with half chances for both teams.

The home side were rewarded in the 43rd minute. Ngata was brought down by McLaren. Jeremy Christie swung the resultant freekick in and Danny Hay met it to nod down and in for his first goal for the club.

Ngata's first penalty, two minutes later, gave the Kingz their halftime lead.

Nine minutes into the second spell it was again tied up when the Kingz defence was exposed and Josh Rose had an easy finish for 2-2.

Two minutes later the Strikers were back in front when Fitzsimmons turned Hay before angling home.

Hay had a chance for a second but his ricocheted attempt flew wide.

Then, 15 minutes from time, Christie too grabbed his first goal for the club when, from 35m, he hit a shot which Baldock should have covered but instead let slip under him.

Both coaches would have settled for 3-3 but Rugg had the last say and the Kingz and their faithful accepted the late gift and went home happy.

It is now decision time, with the club expected to make an announcement in the next day or so on their future. As Mason admitted yesterday, they must look for some quality players if they are to foot it in the proposed new league.

On what they showed for much of the season, it would be a surprise if more than half a dozen or so would be around come the new season.

Results

v Newcastle (h) 1-2

v Sydney United (a) 1-2

v Parramatta Power (a) 1-4

v Perth Glory (h) 1-3

v Melbourne Knights (h) 1-2

v Northern Spirit (h) 0-2

v Sydney Olympic (a) 2-2

v Marconi Stallions (h) 3-1

v South Melbourne (a) 0-6

v Adelaide United (h) 1-3

v Brisbane Strikers (a)1-1

v Newcastle United (a) 0-2

v Sydney United (h)0-1

v Parramatta Power (h) 1-2

v Perth Glory (a) 0-4

v Melbourne Knights (a) 0-1

v Wollongong Wolves (h) 1-1

v Wollongong Wolves (a) 2-1

v Adelaide United (a) 0-1

v Sydney Olympic (h) 2-4

v Marconi Stallions (a) 1-2

v South Melbourne (h) 2-0

v Northern Spirit (a) 0-1

v Brisbane Strikers (h) 4-3