PS4 NPL Queensland Round 2 Review

Olympic FC made it two from two while there was a shock result in the north in Round 2 of PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland.

Olympic fire six past Red Devils

Olympic FC have made it two wins from as many games to start the 2017 PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland season, comfortably accounting for Redlands United on Friday night.

Attacker Andrew Coyne got the visitors off to the perfect start, converting early to hand Olympic an early lead.

Matthew Gordon restored parity for the hosts shortly after the half-hour mark but a Redlands own goal and a late first-half strike to Matthew Heath had Olympic in the ascendency at the break.

Olympic extended their lead to three with an unfortunate own goal from keeper Denver Crickmore before Jordan Zabel rose high to convert their fifth on 54 minutes.

Heath polished off his brace 20 minutes from full time before a late consolation goal from the spot for Graham Fyfe saw affairs finish 6-2 at Cleveland Showgrounds.

Olympic face another away trip next weekend to face Western Pride FC whilst the Red Devils will host South West Queensland Thunder FC in search of their first win of the season.

CLICK HERE for the full match report.

 

Late drama as Fire deny Thunder

South West Queensland Thunder traded late goals with Sunshine Coast FC on the way to a 2-2 draw at Clive Berghofer Stadium on Saturday night.

Nicholas Edwards capitalised on some beautiful lead up play to shoot Thunder into the lead with minutes remaining, only for Zachary Munster to reply with a cultured chip in injury time.

The action arrived in bursts all game, with the opening two goals also coming in quick succession.

Terone Wattegedara's scuffed effort made its way through the keeper's hands into the back of the net, before a Majok Piok shot pinballed incredibly off two Thunder defenders en route to goal.

Both teams will enter Round 3 still searching for a first season win, as Thunder visit Redlands United and Fire host Gold Coast City in the 'Coast Clash'.  

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Strikers easer past Jets

A pair of braces helped Brisbane Strikers ease past Moreton Bay United 4-0 at Perry Park on Saturday night.

Jeremy Stewart and Rhys Meredith both bagged doubles, with the former scoring twice in the opening stanza as  Strikers seized control of the match.

The first two goals were made in the same laboratory, as Gregory Cheshire twice crossed for Stewart to convert.

Meredith came very close to a hat-trick, but was denied a third as time wound down in the second half. The forward scored 17 goals in 2016 and is already on track for a similar total this year.

Strikers head to Cairns to take on FNQ FC Heat next weekend, while the Jets are at home against Brisbane Roar Youth.

CLICK HERE for the full match report.

 

Fury stun Heat in Ingham

Northern Fury FC have recorded a long-awaited victory with a 2-0 win over fellow North Queensland rivals FNQ Heat FC. 

The two sides shared chances throughout the first half with both sides coming close to opening the scoring.

Fury striker Jae Eurell came closest in the opening period, striking against the crossbar with a shot from well outside the penalty area.

Both sides were unable to find the net before the break and Eurell was once again denied by the woodwork, this time hitting the right upright three minutes after half-time.

A breakthrough finally came for the hosts through substitute Reid Murray who handed the Fury the lead shortly after the hour mark.

Midfielder Hamish Cassidy doubled their advantage 13 minutes later, a lead the Fury would maintain to record their first victory of the PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland 2017 season.

The two sides now each have a win and a loss apiece after their opening two fixtures.

CLICK HERE for the full match report.

 

Young Roar win seven-goal thriller

A spirited late charge from Western Pride has fallen just short as the Young Roar held on for a 4-3 victory on Saturday night.

Pride's Corey Lucas was unlucky to not open the scoring, seeing a volley from an acute angle fly behind off the crossbar.

The tall defender didn't have to wait long however, handing the Pride the lead from the penalty spot late in the first half.

The lead was short-lived as Nathan Yoon restored parity three minutes later before an own goal and a wonderstrike from Nicholas Panetta saw the Roar quickly scoot out to a 3-1 lead after half-time.

The margin widened to three when Pride keeper Luke Macdonald was unable to deal with a cross from Panetta with 10 minutes remaining.

The Pride finished strongly however and had reduced the gap to a single goal on the cusp of stoppage time with goals to Gabriel Hawash and Jordan Lambi setting up a tense final few minutes.

The hosts held on to secure their first points of the 2017 season while the Pride will now search for their first victory next weekend against the high-flying Olympic FC.

CLICK HERE for the full match report.

 

Gold Coast resist late City charge

Gold Coast City have notched their first win of the 2017 season, beating Brisbane City 2-1 at Runaway Bay Sports Super Centre on Saturday night.

Gold Coast scored a goal midway through each half and were always in control, despite Carter Glockner's late header for Brisbane City. 

Sam Smith was the standout for Gold Coast, providing a goal and assist while driving forward at any given opportunity. 

It was a disappointing result for Brisbane City, who opened their campaign with a resounding 4-1 win over SWQ Thunder in Round 1.

Brisbane City will host Northern Fury next weekend, while Gold Coast travel up the M1 to play Sunshine Coast FC.

CLICK HERE for the full match report.