Words: Brent O'Halloran, FNQ FC Heat
Image: Sam Wood, FNQ FC Heat

A valiant FNQ FC Heat fought back from a two goal deficit to secure a 2-2 draw with Redlands United at Barlow Park in Cairns on Saturday night.

Goals from Redlands’ Rhys Meredith and Elliot Ronto gave the guests a comfortable halftime buffer but second-half strikes from Heat midfielder Matt Murphy and captain Alex Smith ensured the hosts share the points.

It could have easily have been a second-straight win for the Heat as they squandered several scoring chances in injury time.

Both coaches made late changes to their line-ups; Redlands were without star speedster Nico Bechar, while new American shot-stopper Daniel Valcicak, striker Crios O’Hare and winger Jamie Carroll were in the Heat’s starting eleven, despite earlier being named on the bench.

Valcicak was tested in the early stages, as Redlands peppered the six yard box with low crosses from the right, while Heat were also finding success on their right-hand side.

Winger Matt Murphy regularly found space, burning his defender and combining well with second-striker, Jamie Gosling.

Redlands tested the Heat defence with well-constructed counter-attacks andreceived a contentious penalty in the 24th minute as Valcicak, defender Charlie Beverley and Redlands’ forward Meredith collided contending for a cross.

A-League experienced referee, Matthew Gillett judged Meredith to have been illegally impeded and pointed to the spot. Meredith duly converted.

The guests claimed a second goal with seconds left in the first half.

Heat gave away possession in the middle of the park, Elliot Ronto got on the end of a well-weighted chipped through ball and clipped it past the out-coming Valcicak.

Buoyed by vocal support from 900 fans and with head coach, Peter Tokesi’s team-talk still ringing in their ears, Heat started the second term with great gusto.

A lofted diagonal ball found Matt Murphy who took one touch before launching it into the top left corner of Redlands’ net.

The hosts almost had a second two minutes later as 18 year-old centre midfielder Cam Nucifora controlled a Redlands clearance with his chest before hitting a bullet-like volleying which was palmed away by ‘keeper Andrew Ralph.

Ronto was denied a double as Valcicak saved his one-on-one attempt in the 50^th minute.

Heat captain and former A-League player Alex Smith entered the action with 25 minutes left, hoping to inspire something special to save his side.

He teamed-up with Murphy to create a series of ultimately spurned chances; fellow substitute, Mqondisi Nkiwane was also dangerous in the Heat’s attacking third.  

With seconds left in regular time and fans fearing a fourth loss of the season, the hosts finally restored parity.

A Heat corner was cleared as far as Ethan Docherty whose chip-cum-cross reached Smith inside the box. The captain belted a volley past several Redlands defenders and Ralph’s outstretched hands into the back of the net.

Seemingly, not content with a draw, Heat continued to pile forward in injury time. Murphy, Smith and Nkiwane all had chances to secure what would have been a remarkable victory.

FNQ FC Heat 2 (Matt MURPHY 48’, Alex SMITH 90’)
Redlands United 2 (Rhys MEREDITH 24’, Elliot RONTO 45’)