It wasn’t the most elegant game of football and took until the last 10 minutes of the game for the result to be secured but The Gap Premier League Division One team finally returned to winning ways with a 2-0 victory over bottom of the table Albany Creek.

The result was particularly satisfying with Grange Thistle’s 4-2 loss to University of Queensland meaning The Gap have opened up a 5 point buffer from the second from bottom team.

There were signs in the first half last week against University of Queensland that the Gators were playing to their expected ability and it continued in this game with a much more confident display. Despite a very uneven Wolter Park surface at Albany Creek The Gap scored inside the first 10 minutes when, following a set piece, an Andrew Harkins low cross was met by Dom Kibbey on the far post who just like a seasoned striker should, calmly slotted the ball way. Ironically, Dom was playing his second game in the back line but had moved forward to be involved in the set piece.

This should have been the opening of the floodgates as the Gators created one chance after another but could not convert and like the week before they let their opposition back into the game in the last 10 minutes. The post saved The Gap from a 1-1 half time score-line and what would have inevitably seen Albany Creek rise in levels of confidence.

After a clear and stern reminder by coach Gerry McAvoy to retain their mental discipline and concentration levels, and thereby avoid a repeat of the previous week’s capitulation the Gators duly obliged with skill and hard work that was sooner or later going to result in a second goal. It may have come late but was a result of ongoing pressure on the Albany Creek defence – good build up involving Robbie Callanan, Ivan Rojas and Andrew Harkins again resulted in Levi Beel finishing in the simplest of fashions.

Coach Gerry McAvoy couldn’t hide his delight at the result “ I was confident that we would get the result because we are at least a two goal better side and were on the night but I have to say I’m mightily relieved! We left it late but apart from a couple of chances they had down the middle of the park late in both halves we dominated the game. In contrast we created a number of chances in the first 30 minutes and we should have wrapped it up much earlier. That’s football though, it always serves to create extra tension and stress for you.”

The result aside the pleasing aspect of the game for the Gators was the improved performance across a number areas of the park. The defence looked solid and confident most of the night with the addition of Sam Buwalda adding extra experience and steel. While Buwalda is one of a number of the younger players who have stepped in and performed admirably this year his recovery from a severe injury last season to make his way back into the top side is worth extra praise. In midfield Steve Comino was expertly supported by a tireless Ivan Rojas who never stopped running all night. Finally up front the combination of Levi Beel and Andrew Harkins was always dangerous and in particular Harkins like his team mate Rojas ran himself into the ground.

Coach McAvoy was impressed with the performance of his troops “We’ve been trying to get the balance of the team right and the best personnel in the right positions for a little while and I feel now that we are pretty close to that with the way in which the lads combined tonight. Our defence is stronger and more reliable, the midfield has a great balance of experience, skill and fitness, and upfront we have genuine pace. In addition, we have great back up players who can slot into these roles at any time. I have the feeling that results and performances will continue to improve from here.”

The Premier Division One team are at home to Brisbane Force this coming Saturday 27 June and are keen to avenge the defeat against Force in the cup tie earlier this year.