The top two both returned to type with victories while FNQ Heat got back on track in Round 13 of PlayStation® 4 NPL Queensland.
Brisbane Strikers FC 3 (David SALIN 52’, Scot COULSON 81’, Jheison MACUACE 90’)
Brisbane City 1 (Kai SMITH 88’)
Brisbane Strikers ensured bragging rights for another year after completing a derby treble over Brisbane City with a 3-1 win at Perry Park on Saturday night.
All four goals came in the second half as Strikers secured the points on the back of goals to David Salin, Scot Coulson and Jheison Macauce, who now moves into equal first in Golden Boot standings with nine league goals.
The result marks the third time Strikers have accounted for their near neighbours in 2015 - prevailing in March in their first PlayStation® 4 NPL Queensland meeting and also eliminating City from the Westfield FFA Cup.
City coach Darron Heseldon praised his team’s late push and said they were disappointed to not at least claim a share of the points.
“The fact that we went two-nil down and we got back to two-one with four to go, we were of the belief we were going to grab a point and we thought we were good value,” he said.
Full match report and post-match interviews - http://bit.ly/1ScU4Od
Moreton Bay United FC 2 (Royce BROWNLIE 58’, Jordan FARINA 90+3’)
Redlands United FC 0
Moreton Bay United maintained their hold on top spot on Saturday night after seeing off Redlands United 2-0 at Wolter Park.
Royce Brownlie opened the scoring for Jets just before the hour before substitute Jordan Farina sealed the win in time added on.
The result returns Jets to winning ways after a last start loss to Olympic FC, while it ends a four match unbeaten run in PlayStation® 4 NPL Queensland for the Red Devils.
Redlands player-coach Graham Fyfe lamented his side’s inability to take their chances throughout the match but emphasised they remained in the fight throughout.
“We’ve had games this season where we have deserved to lose and this game I would’ve thought a draw was fair,” he said.
Full match report and post-match interviews - http://bit.ly/1My5o3M
Northern Fury FC 2 (Sean KARAMBASIS 12’ Hamish CASSADY 90’)
Western Pride FC 1 (Lincoln RULE 45’)
A dramatic injury time winner from Hamish Cassady has guided Northern Fury to a 2-1 win over Western Pride at International Park in Ayr - their first win since April.
Cassady’s first goal of PlayStation® 4 NPL Queensland 2015 proved decisive for the hosts after Sean Karambasis’ opener was cancelled out by Pride’s Lincoln Rule just before half-time.
The win moves Fury to within striking distance of the top four, and leaves early season league-leaders Pride with just a single win from their past six outings.
Pride coach Karl Dodd said his team had failed to follow the pre-match game plan and were duly punished.
“I had too many players playing as individuals and not as a team tonight,” he said.
Full match report and post-match interviews - http://bit.ly/1MykRkg
FNQ FC Heat 3 (Crios O’HARE 12’, Alex SMITH 39’, Tamas MAFFEY-STUMPE 90+2’)
Sunshine Coast FC 2 (Ray SCHULTZ 10’, Kaine FREW 77’)
Sunshine Coast FC fell to a fifth straight defeat in all competitions after conceding an injury time winner in a 3-2 loss to FNQ FC Heat at Barlow Park in Cairns.
Skipper Tamas Maffey-Stumpe pounced in the final minutes to add to first-half goals from Alex Smith and Crios O’Hare to end Heat's two-match stretch without a PlayStation® 4 NPL Queensland win.
The result sees Heat move to within two points of the top four amidst a congested mid-table battle.
Heat coach Martin Docherty acknowledged it was about time his side’s luck turned after making a habit of dropping points late throughout the season.
“I don’t think we got out of jail. I actually think we deserved to win and I’m just relieved for the guys because they put so much effort in there and they deserve a bit of luck,” he said.
Full match report and post-match interviews - http://bit.ly/1Sd5jGk
Brisbane Roar FC Youth 8 (Abraham YANGO 2’, 15’, 64’ Nicholas D’AGOSTINO 45’ Stephen O’NEILL 55’, 66’, 79’ Mitchell HORE 84’)
South West Queensland Thunder FC 0
Hat-tricks to Abraham Yango and Stephen O’Neill saw Brisbane Roar Youth crush SWQ Thunder 8-1 at Perry Park on Sunday.
New Roar coach John Aloisi proved an interested spectator in the stands as Yango and Stephen O’Neill’s hauls were complemented by further strikes to Nicholas D’Agostino and Mitchell Hore.
The win extends Young Roar’s unbeaten PlayStation® 4 NPL Queensland run to six matches, while the bottom-of-the-table Thunder have now lost their past eight games.
Goalscorer Stephen O’Neill said he was hoping he and his teammates had done enough to impress Aloisi and earn a shot at next season’s Hyundai A-League squad.
“I think when the first team comes back in for pre-season, obviously it’s my aim to try and be with them along with a few of the other boys from the team - we’ll see what happens,” he said.
Full match report and post-match interviews - http://bit.ly/1BeQpLy
Olympic FC 0
Palm Beach SC 0
Shane Viitakangas starred as Olympic FC and Palm Beach SC fought out a 0-0 draw at Goodwin Park on Sunday.
The Sharks goalkeeper made a string of top saves to ensure the Grand Final rematch ended with a point apiece for the second time this season.
While the draw is enough for Olympic to remain third, they now sit two points adrift of second-placed Brisbane Strikers as Sharks slide to fourth.
Olympic coach Jim Bellas was left frustrated by missing out on a winner.
“I think we dominated, we just couldn’t put them away. Hopefully by the end of the year those balls are going into the back of the net,” he said.
Full match report - http://bit.ly/1GE3jDg