Words: Nick Crockford, Moreton Bay United
Image: Michelle Maclachlan, Moreton Bay United

Two second-half goals from Jets’ captain Royce Brownlie helped Moreton Bay United to a 4-2 victory over Sunshine Coast Fire – and top of the NPL – at Wolter Park on Saturday night.

Matt Capelo put Jets ahead after just two minutes. Ryota Nakaooka’s clinical finish, between Brownlie’s brace, clinched the points leaving Matt Needham and Futa Nakamura’s goals as consolations for the visitors.

Despite being rained-off last week, Jets made a fast start and with their first attack Capelo pounced on Chris Maticic’s cross to turn and score his fourth goal in two games.

Fire then had a goal disallowed for offside and Matt Needham shot wide, but the rest of the first half belonged to Jets.

Brownlie shot wide and over from 20 metres, Alex Henderson twice headed over the bar, Charles Mendy was too high twice, then shot straight at Fire keeper Anthony Hall and was denied by Brock Messenger’s last-ditch tackle. Jared Austin also shot wide.

In the second half Austin and Fire’s Jayke Cuschieri had chances before, on 51 minutes, Brownlie bagged his eighth goal in five games, pouncing on a loose pass, holding off one challenge and beating Hall with a low shot to make it 2-0.

Reyze Kelly and Needham were off target and Austin’s shot was tipped over by Hall, but on 62 minutes Nakaooka scored with a right-foot drive from 12 metres, after Brownlie’s pull back, to give Jets’ a three-goal cushion.

That became 4-0 four minutes later as Brownlie turned twice on the edge of Fire’s penalty area and scored his ninth of the season with a low right-foot shot.

The home side’s celebrations were cut short seconds later when Needham broke through and beat Jet’s keeper Mario Aparicio from 10 metres out.

Hall made another fine save from Nakaooka and Fire’s Chimaur Kosuge headed wide before, in the 82 minute, Jordan Courte headed a free-kick back across Jets’ goal and the unmarked Nakamura nodded in from close range.

Jets finished with more chances – Matthew Zapone shot wide, Henderson again headed over and Capelo saw another shot saved.

The result sees the unbeaten Jets top the NPL table by one point, with Sunshine Coast dropping two places to sixth.

Moreton Bay United Jets 4 (Matthew CAPELO ‘2, Royce BROWNLIE ’51 ’66, Ryota NAKAOOKA ’62)
Sunshine Coast Heat 2 (Matt NEEDHAM ’67, Futa NAKAMURA ’82)