Wednesday night A-League results

Sydney FC 2 (N Ward 55 og, B Gan 69) beat Wellington Phoenix 0

Att: 4,732

Ref: P Green

Gold Coast United 1 (S Smeltz 84) lost to Central Coast Mariners 3 (B Ibini-Isei 13, M Amini 40, M Duke 67)

Att: 2,037

Ref: S Delovski

North Queensland Fury 1-2 Brisbane Roar: Brisbane make it 24 games in a row without defeat

North Queensland Fury 1-2 Brisbane Roar

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Minor A-League premiers Brisbane Roar beat bottom-side North Queensland Fury 2-1 tonight in a match switched to Gold Coast United’s Skilled Park stadium in Robina.

There were only about 2,000 people on hand to witness the Roar make it 24 games unbeaten.

Mitch Nichols opened the Roar’s account in the 14th minute with an excellent goal. Brisbane attacked down the left and, when Nichols was given the ball just outside the box, he fired at goal with the right foot. The effort was blocked by Mark Hughes, but when the ball came back to Nichols, he finished perfectly with his left foot.

Henrique replaced James Meyer at the interval and scored the Roar’s second in the 58th minute, lifting the ball over keeper Justin Pasfield from close range on the right after a good build-up and cross by Thomas Broich on the left and a flick-on by Kosta Barbarouses.

Andre Kilian pulled a goal back for the Fury in the 65th minute, his left-wing cross taking a deflection and looping over Michael Theoklitos and inside the far post.

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North Queensland Fury: Pasfield - Hingert, Hughes, Studman, Kilian (Read 77) - Casey (Spagnuolo 68), Talay (Nikas 59), Storey, McDonald - Williams, Grossman (Sub not used: Usai)

Booked: Williams 70, Pasfield 76

Goals: Susak 65 og

Brisbane Roar: Theoklitos - Franjic, Susak, Smith, Stefanutto - Nichols, Paartalu, McKay - Barbarouses, Meyer (Henrique 46), Broich (Visconte 64) (Subs not used: Mundy, Redmayne)

Booked: Susak 31

Goals: Nichols 14, Henrique 58

Ref: J Gillett

This blog site to close soon

This blog site will close over the next few days, to be replaced by an exciting new-look site.

Everything that has appeared on this site, including photos, will be contained in the archive section of the new site.

I’d just like to thank all the readers who have found it of interest. Readership has been steadily climbing and has been averaging over 1,000 hits a day, even though it is still pre-season.

Last season, the site was getting as many as 1,700 hits a day. I hope this number will be exceeded during the new season on the new site.

The ‘unique visitors’ number is now well over 5,000, which is heartening, especially given that it is pre-season.

I thank you all for your support.

When this site does close, my new site will open immediately. It will have a more professional look about it and include many new features, including polls and league tables.

By clicking on the old site, you will automatically be re-directed to the new site, so you don’t have to do anything.

As the new site establishes itself, I hope you will add it to your favourites.

Cheers for now, and look out for the change soon. In the meantime, continue to click on this site.

Kieran Biggar could be heading for bigger things

Photos (Top to Bottom): Eleven-year-old Kieran Biggar is the target of foreign scouts; Kieran with his father, Neil Biggar, of Metro; Neil (back row, second from left) as Metro's senior keeper; Kieran's grandfather, Bobby Biggar (second from right, back row) in a Caledonians side of the late 1960s; Neil's uncle, John Biggar (second from left, back row) and Kieran's great grandfather, Jimmy Biggar (extreme left, back row) in a Caledonians side of about 1963; John Biggar pours the champagne as Caledonians celebrate a title in 1960.

Eleven-year-old local footballer Kieran Biggar has been targeted by scouts representing Chelsea, Blackburn Rovers and Real Zaragoza.

Biggar is a member of Metro’s under-13 team this year and plays as a sweeper. He comes from a family with a huge football background.

His father, Neil, was a goalkeeper with Metro, while his grandfather, Bobby Biggar, played as a sweeper with Caledonians and White Eagles.

Bobby’s brother, the late John Biggar, was a sweeper with Caledonians and also played in northern Tasmania with some distinction.

Kieran’s great grandfather was involved with Caledonians after arriving from Kilmarnock in Scotland in the 1950s.

“Kieran went away to Canberra in February representing Tasmania and playing Futsal and, while there, he was noticed by some scouts who are representing Chelsea, Blackburn Rovers and Real Zaragoza in Spain,” said Kieran’s father, Neil.

“They’re coming down to Tasmania in April to give him trials. He’s the only boy from Tassie picked up by them. There are a few boys from New South Wales coming, too, and my boy.

“He was playing Futsal when they spotted him, but they obviously picked up enough of what he can do and they want him for the outdoor game.

“He’s absolutely stoked so I’m going to have to do some road runs with him and get him fit and, hopefully, give him some idea of what he’s in for.

“He’s a sweeper, so he’s definitely skipped a generation. My father, Bob Biggar, was a sweeper, and I’m a goalkeeper and now my boy’s a sweeper.

“I’m lost for words. It’s pretty amazing, really, considering he went up there to play in a Futsal competition and now I’m talking to guys from London.”

Kieran played up a year for Metro’s under-12s last season.

“We played the whole team up a year because, basically, they were too good for the competition in that age group, so, again this year, they’ll be under-13s and, again, playing up a year for Metro,” said Neil.

“We’ll be starting pre-season soon on and it’s pretty much a full-on year for them as Futsal starts again when the outdoor season ends.

“It’ll be full on, which means a lot of travel.”

Kieran is a Liverpool supporter, as is his father, but he doesn’t mind that the trial is for other English and European clubs.

“I was playing Futsal in Canberra and the selectors came and asked me to go for trials in Devonport in April,” Kieran said.

“Dad’s a Liverpool supporter and so I’ve got lots of photos, pennants and so on from Liverpool in my room.”

Kieran’s grandfather, Bob Biggar, apart from playing for Caledonians and White Eagles, also represented Tasmania at under-16 level.

Tilford Zebras formally announce their 8 summer signings

Photos (Top to Bottom): Craig Minty, the New Town Eagles keeper, has joined Zebras; Akuel Guot, noted Hobart United scorer; Sam McIntyre training with Zebras; Adam McIntyre in Clarence colours; Seth Otte has joined Zebras from South Hobart [PlessPix]

Tilford Zebras have formally announced eight new signings on the eve of the Summer Cup competition.

The club have signed three players from Clarence United - Sam McIntyre, Adam McIntyre and Luke Cripps.

Former South Hobart players Liam Scott and Seth Otte have also been signed.

Brett Andrews has joined the Zebras from Kingborough Lions United, while Craig Minty, the New Town Eagles keeper, has also been signed.

To complete the summer signings, Zebras have acquired striker Akuel Guot from First Division outfit Hobart United.

All eight players are expected to be available for selection for Saturday’s opening round of the Summer Cup.

Tilford Zebras begin their Summer Cup campaign on Saturday at Olinda Grove No. 1 ground at noon when they take on Taroona.