Gold Coast City maintained their lead atop the PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland ladder with a 2-1 win over Western Pride in Round 10.
Late Saunders winner sinks Pride
Sam Smith scored his eighth goal of the season to cancel out Adam Endean's opener before Rhys Saunders headed in a corner to take all three points for City.
Pride held the lead for over half an hour, but City have been tough to hold down over recent weeks. This win was City's fifth in a row as they keep their distance above the trailing pack.
Pride can point towards the opener as reason for optimism, but two goals conceded from corners will guarantee plenty of set piece training this week.
City will be at home to Moreton Bay United next Saturday night, while Pride will make the trek up to face Northern Fury, also on Saturday night.
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Olympic and Fury tussle in tight draw
Brisbane Olympic and Northern Fury couldn’t be separated, having fought tooth and nail to a 1-1 draw at Goodwin Park on Sunday afternoon.
In an even contest, both sides were presented with good opportunities, in particular the mid-table Fury, who were denied multiple times by Olympic keeper Tom Carroll.
The Fury would finally break the deadlock late in the second half, however, with Jarrod Green able to finish from a cross from the right wing.
Olympic wouldn’t take long to answer, with Costa Psaros’ flighted ball - intended for Ramone Close – evading everyone and ending up in the top corner.
The Fury would spend the final ten minutes down a man, with Reid Murray picking up his second yellow to heighten the tension, but the away side held on for a well-earned point.
Olympic, having dropped two vital points, are still in touching distance of the top two teams and will travel to Perry Park next weekend with the chance to take second spot from Brisbane Strikers.
Northern Fury’s point sees them create space between themselves and Western Pride, and the two teams will face off next weekend.
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Strikers cruise past Roar
Brisbane Strikers stretched their winning streak to five games with a 5-0 win over Brisbane Roar Youth at AJ Kelly Park on Saturday night.
The encounter was effectively decided inside twenty minutes after a three-goal burst left Strikers in cruise control.
All five of Strikers' goals were scored by different players as the away side shared the attacking load. Jake McLean's powerful blast from outside the box was the pick of the bunch.
Strikers have now won seven of their 10 games this year while scoring 19 goals in their last five matches to move second.
Roar Youth visit fellow strugglers Redlands United next Friday, while Strikers turn their attention to a blockbuster matchup with Brisbane Olympic on Saturday night.
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Carroll breaks drought in Heat win
FNQ Heat shrugged off last week's loss to Brisbane City by dismissing Sunshine Coast Fire 3-0 at Endeavour Park on Saturday night.
Christopher O'Hare's first-half double set the tone for the home side before striker Jamie Carroll popped up late to grab his first goal of the season.
Carroll scored 15 goals last season but has been dealing with injury problems this campaign, his return to goalscoring form will be a great help as Heat push closer to the top four.
Heat travel to SWQ Thunder next Saturday night while Fire will host Brisbane City on Sunday afternoon.
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Jets cruise past Thunder
A second-half flurry has seen Moreton Bay United run out strong 4-0 winners over SWQ Thunder on Saturday night.
The Jets carved the better chances, and more importantly, managed to find the back of the net, to consolidate their hold on fifth position.
Riley Campbell reached double figures in the goal scoring ranks with the game’s first goal after 20 minutes.
The Jets were unable to build on their lead before the break, before Alex Janovsky navigated his shot through a sea of legs to hand his side some breathing space shortly after the break.
The head of Jacob Mitchell led to the Jets’ third shortly after as the Thunder struggled to contain the Jets attack whilst also rarely troubling their defence.
The Thunder created a couple of opportunities as the second half wore on, but Kysusub Bang had the last word for the Jets, scoring his side’s fourth in stoppage time.
The Jets now travel south to face Gold Coast City while the Thunder will host FNQ FC Heat at Clive Berghofer Stadium.
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City steal victory at the death
Nathan Bird’s last-gasp goal has earned Brisbane City a valuable three points over Redlands United at Corporate Travel Management Stadium on Saturday night.
Denver Crickmore was monumental between the posts for the visitors, but his efforts weren’t enough as Bird’s 89th minute strike secured the points for City.
Sam Sibautara opened the scoring after just four minutes with a low strike that evaded Crickmore.
City were then awarded a penalty after Kai Halliday was pulled up for handball in the area. Bird converted from the spot to double the hosts’ lead.
Redlands fought their way back into the contest with two strikes before the break from the boots of Alexander Warrilow and Michael Ryan.
City dominated second-half chances, but were unable to pass the defensive wall that was Crickmore, before Halliday was once again pulled up for handball, and Bird was able to convert from the spot.
City consolidate their hold on fourth position before travelling north next round to face the Fire, while Redlands languish in tenth ahead of a home clash with the Young Roar.
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