Across the Waves football coach Rick Irvine says his players will attempt to get straight back on the horse this week following their 7-1 drubbing at the hands of Edge Hill United in round six of the Australia Cup last week.
Irvine said while the result was disappointing against the Cairns-based outfit, it had shown his team that if they put in the hard work, they too could go further in the national competition.
The Tigers will now face NPL Queensland leaders the Gold Coast Knights in round seven, and Irvine said his players should feel proud of what they have achieved in the competition this year.
“It was a disappointing result, of course,” Irvine said.
“But sometimes it’s more about when you score than how many, and if we had taken a couple of opportunities in the first half, then it could have been 3-2, and that looks a whole lot better for us.
“I thought we had the better of the chances in the second half too.
16/06/2023 – Jesse Casson scored four times for Edge Hill United in last week’s 7-1 win over Across The Waves in round six of the Australia Cup in Bundaberg. Picture: Stewart McLean
“But they scored early, which allowed them to sit back and dictate the game, and that’s what they did. The scoreline blew out a little at the end, which might not have been appropriate for how the game went.
“I said to the boys at training this week, “It’s disappointing to bow out,” but we got towards the pointy end of the competition and were one of the last few teams in the comp from Queensland, so to get to where we did is a fair achievement.
“The boys should be proud of what they have done to get there.”
ATW are unbeaten in the league, having played 10 games this season in the FQPL Wide Bay.
They lead the competition on goal difference from fellow Bundaberg team United Park Eagles, who have also won eight and drawn two but have lost twice and played two more games.
Irvine said the next few weeks could make or break the season for his team, but he was hoping to start the next part of the campaign with a win over the Blues in Maryborough on Saturday night — the start of an extremely busy period for ATW.
“There is a price for being successful in the Australian Cup,” Irvine admitted.
“We go to Sunbury, then Bingera next Tuesday, and then play Fraser Flames the week after.
16/06/2023 – Jess Casson starred for Edge Hill United with four goals in their 7-1 win over ATW in the Australia Cup last week. Picture: Stewart McLean
“That’s games against three sides in the top five within eight days.
“Then after that, when everyone else gets a week off, we play Clinton in the Champions League.
“Following that, we play Doon Villa, KSS Jets, Bingera, and Corinthians, so that’s four games in 10 days.
“That can go two ways,” Irvine added.
“It can really stretch your squad, or it can help the team get back to playing some consistent football.
“Only time will tell, I guess.
“It’s a critical point of the season because we only have to lose a couple of games and the other teams can take advantage because the competition is so tight.
“A couple of losses will bring you back to the chasing pack.”
In other games on Saturday, June 17, the KSS Jets entertain the second-placed United Park Eagles, while Bingera hosts Doon Villa.
SC Corinthians are at home to Fraser Flames in the other fixture.