GCC Strike Thrice Against Lightning
Words: Michael Flynn
Off-season recruit Lyndon Dykes impressed as Gold Coast City comfortably accounted for Logan Lightning 3-1 in a pre-season friendly at Cornubia Park.
Dykes set-up Jarrod Kyle for the opening goal shortly before scoring City’s second soon after entering the contest midway through the first half.
Triallist Reuben Douglas also shared in City’s three-goal haul against the Brisbane Premier League club, who struck a late consolation via Jibrill Athumani .
Both sides created chances throughout the opening half hour before Kyle opened accounts by turning in a near-post finish after being found by a sharp Dykes pass.
Only minutes later the former Redlands United player then applied the finishing touch to a cross from triallist Rhys Saunders, who won the 2015 Gold Coast Premier League title with Magic United following a youth stint at Argentinian powerhouse Atletico River Plate.
Shortly after the restart City’s combinations gained further momentum when Riley Dillon teed-up Douglas for the third on the back of a solid team build-up.
Lightning threatened to mount a comeback when Athumani pulled a goal back on the hour, however City ultimately saw out the result to record their first win since their off-season name change.
City coach Grae Piddick said he was happy with the returns from a raft of trialists as he continues to shape his squad for the PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland 2016 season.
He suggested the attacking threat of Dykes and Kyle, who is expected to be formally announced as part of the City squad next week, proved particularly pleasing.
“They’ve already struck a bit of a combination and that’s something that could prove dangerous for other teams next season,” Piddick concluded.
City’s squad featured several additional members of last season’s Palm Beach SC squad yet to be confirmed for 2016 including midfielder Ben Litfin, defender Eoghan Murphy and goalkeeper Shane Viitakangas.
Pre-season Friendly
Saturday, December 12
Cornubia Park, Logan
Logan Lightning FC 1 (Jibrill ATHUMANI 60’)
Gold Coast City FC 3 (Jarrod KYLE 35’, Lyndon DYKES 40' , Reuben DOUGLAS 52’)
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