Soccer: Poor defence proves costly for Kingz

The Football Kingz' impressive start to the National Soccer League nosedived when they were well beaten, 4-2, by the Northern Spirit at North Sydney Oval last night.

The Spirit, helped by some generous defence, made a flying start and were 3-1 up at halftime. Teenager Ben Burgess, on loan from Blackburn Rovers, gave the home side the initiative with a hat-trick before the interval. Ivan Vicelich pulled one goal back shortly before the break for the Kingz when a Tim Stevens shot was parried by the Spirit goalkeeper and fell for the tall midfielder.

The Spirit increased their advantage in the second spell through an Alex Mendes penalty, but a Harry Ngata penalty near the end kept the Kingz' slim hopes alive. It might have been closer had a fine late effort by Paul Urlovic from 25m not hit a post.