PS4 NPL Queensland Round 19 Review

A stoppage time winner from Ryan Michael has handed Redlands United just their fifth victory of the season against finals contenders FNQ Heat.

Reds snatch win at the death

The Red Devils came from a goal behind to snatch victory from the side from North Queensland and put a dent into their top-four ambitions.

The hosts created the better chances throughout the opening half hour but were unable to muster any return.

It was the Heat who broke the deadlock with just over 10 minutes to play until the break when Jamie Carroll found the back of the net.

The advantage lasted no more than six minutes before Carlton Westerdale’s header found its way into the net, restoring parity late in the half.

Both teams created strong chances during the second stanza but the clash appeared destined for a draw until Michael popped up in the dying moments.

The result does little in the context of Redlands’ season which is all but over, but makes the task a lot more difficult for the Heat ahead of next Saturday’s home clash with Brisbane City.

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Jets snare important road win

Moreton Bay United have leapfrogged Brisbane City on the PS4 NPL QLD ladder with a 1-0 victory at Corporate Travel Management Stadium on Saturday night.

A first half goal from Matthew Capelo handed the visitors all three points, which could prove invaluable with only three rounds of the regular season to play.

The Jets had the better of the chances aerly in the match before City worked their way into the encounter with Koh Satake and Nathan Bird both forcing saves.

Capelo’s driven shot on half-hour opened the scoring, handing the visitors a one-goal lead which they took to the break.

City pushed hard for an equalising goal Mitch Hore inches away from finding the net with a long-range strike which was shortly followed by a missed opportunity for Satake.

The two then combined for City’s last real chance, which went begging when Satake’s shot was deflected over the bar.

Redlands hit the road next round to face Brisbane Strikers at Perry Park while the Jets return home and welcome the Fire.

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Thunder withstand Olympic at home

Brisbane Olympic's Premiership hopes have taken a hit after being held 0-0 by SWQ Thunder on Saturday night.

Thunder came into the match with confidence, and after picking up three points against Brisbane Strikers last week, the home side looked to back up their impressive performance. 

Although Thunder were unable to steal a win, to keep an attacking, in-form Brisbane Olympic side scoreless is an achievement in itself.

No side seemed the better or more deserving victor, the chances were even, the keepers performed well and a draw appears to be a fitting result.  

Olympic will look to be more clinical next week as they prepare for their meeting with league-leader Gold Coast City. As for the hosts, they will travel to Western Pride next Saturday.

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Strikers keep title hopes alive

Brisbane Strikers showed their class in an impressive display of attacking football on Saturday night, blowing past Northern Fury 5-1.

The Strikers thoroughly deserved the win, and collecting three points was the only option for the visiting team as they look to keep the pressure on league leaders Gold Coast City.

The gap between the two sides has narrowed to just three points following this match. With few games remaining, Strikers will strive to continue winning their fixtures and watch the Gold Coast City results very closely. Next week, Gold Coast City will play against Brisbane Olympic. 

Strikers were dominant throughout the match, controlling much of the ball and pace of the game. Understanding the importance of the result, the squad rose to the occassion, with both Jake Mclean and Hiroki Omori scoring doubles. 

The hosts remained competitive the entire 90 minutes, Jarrod Green picking up a goal late in the match which put his team on the scoresheet and added to his personal tally.

Fury will be looking to regain some confidence next week, with tonight's fixture being their second straight defeat. The Townsville side will look to put away the Young Roar when they travel to AJ Kelly Park next Sunday.

As for the Strikers, every match is of utmost importance on the run into the finals, they return home next week to host ninth placed Redlands United. 

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Pride make finals push

Western Pride secured a comfortable 5-1 win over Sunshine Coast FC on Sunday afternoon at Sunshine Coast Stadium.

Pride have now moved into the top four with their sixth consecutive win, giving them valuable momentum ahead of the upcoming Finals Series.

The score was 0-0 until midway through the first half, when Fire’s Shoichi Koshimizu converted a penalty. 

With the pressure on, Pride kicked into high gear and Mitchell Bird scored two goals in as many minutes.

Bird continued to be a sharp shooter in the second half, scoring another two goals.

Dylan Wenzel-Halls wrapped up the game with a beautiful curled finish as Pride further cemented their victory and a move up the ladder.

Now on track for Finals, Pride will take on SWQ Thunder next week at Briggs Road Sporting Complex, while Fire will be away to Moreton Bay United.

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GCC extend lead at the top

Gold Coast City's Sam Smith has bagged a brace in his side's 4-0 win over Brisbane Roar Youth at Duncan McKenna Field on Saturday night.

The result - City's 14th victory of the season - sees them extend their advantage at the top of the table over the chasing pack with three matches to play.

The Young Roar were no match for the table-topping side and remain in 10th position.

Matthew Schmidt fired a warning of what was to come on seven minutes with a well-saved curling effort before Eoghan Murphy scored with a close-range header only a minute later.

City's advantage was doubled in the blink of an eye as Smith scored the first of his two goals for the night following a terrific releasing pass to Jarrod Kyle from Matthew Stein.

Rahmat Akbari's hurried shot that flew high was as close as the Roar were getting to the the back of the net and City had the points all but sewn up just before the half-hour mark when Jacob Boutoubia got his name on the scoresheet.

City continued to create chances but weren't able to add a fourth until the second half when Smith polished off a brace, and a strong win for his side, from close range.

Both sides don't take the field for a fortnight when GCC travel north to face Olympic and the Young Roar host the Fury.

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