The race for a top four finish in the Sunshine State is only getting tighter as the league’s finals contenders continued to jockey for position in Round 20 of NPL Queensland.
Brisbane Roar NYL v Olympic FC
Olympic FC recorded their third straight win and moved to second in the standings after defeating Brisbane Roar NYL 3-1 at Perry Park on Friday night.
Roar held out for much of the first half before three goals in 13 minutes either side of the break gave Olympic the win despite a consolation strike from Roar’s Sam Sibatuara.
Olympic winger Reuben Way set-up the match’s first goal for Jake McLean a minute before the break before turning goal scorer with a clever solo effort eight minutes after the restart.
Substitute Rhys Meredith claimed the visitor’s third – his second goal since his mid-season switch from Redlands United.
Palm Beach Sharks v FNQ FC Heat
FNQ Heat arrested a two match losing streak by drawing 1-1 in a hard-fought contest with top of the table Palm Beach Sharks at Mallawa Complex on Saturday night.
Daniel Dragicevic put the hosts ahead inside two minutes before Heat’s Jake Keslake levelled prior to the half-time break in a match that offered both sides chances to claim full points.
Shark’s attacker Jarrod Kyle was shown two yellow cards in quick time for dissent resulting in a nervous finish as the hosts held out a final Heat surge.
Brisbane Strikers v South West Queensland Thunder
Brisbane Strikers returned to the top four on Saturday night, defeating cellar-dwellers South West Queensland Thunder 3-0 at Perry Park in the "Lightning Bolt Derby".
Midfielder Jheison Macauce netted the opener for the hosts shortly before half-time before Keenan Duimpies extended the lead from the penalty spot after the restart and Matt Thurtell sealed the points in the final minutes.
Thunder remain anchored to the bottom of the table and still searching for their first competition points in their inaugural NPL Queensland campaign.
Western Pride v Brisbane City
Brisbane City extended their winning streak to five games on Saturday night in Ipswich, accounting for a lacklustre Western Pride 2-0 at Briggs Road Complex.
City midfielders Matt Biggins and Young Jae Joo struck both goals from the penalty spot in the second half in a match the visitors dominated from the outset.
The result continues a remarkable form turnaround for City as last year’s Grand Finalists move into the top four for the first time this season, while Pride remain mired in second-last place.
Redlands United v Sunshine Coast Fire
Sunshine Coast Fire netted three penalties to comfortably account for Redlands United 5-1 at Cleveland Showgrounds on Sunday.
Futa Nakamura scored a brace, while Paul Arnison, Reyze Kelly and Jordan Miller rounded out the visitor’s five goal haul. Elliot Ronto scored Redlands solitary goal midway through the first half.
Fire’s third straight win sees them sit two points adrift of the top four, while Redlands are a point behind in eighth place.
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