Second Half Shark Attack Beats Fury
Words & Image: Northern Fury
Palm Beach Sharks consolidated their lead atop the NPL Queensland table, twice fighting back from a goal down to defeat Northern Fury 5-2 at Brolga Park on Sunday.
Second-half braces to forwards Chris Lucas and Jarrod Kyle sealed Fury’s fate after the hosts went into the break 2-1 ahead courtesy of Jake Perry and Hamish Cassady.
Despite the teams being at the opposite ends of the NPL standings, and a narrow midweek loss to Harimau Muda, Northern Fury started the match brighter than the Gold Coast outfit.
A 30 yard free kick from Corey Waples allowed Jake Perry to steer home the opening goal in via the back post in just the third minute of the game.
The early goal meant the tempo picked up significantly thereafter as neither side dominated the first half.
Fury’s Mathieu Peyre gave away a free kick just outside the penalty area to give the Sharks their first real chance in the 25th minute, but the strike couldn't beat Fury's five-man wall.
With very little between the sides, creativity was demanded to break through either defence and Shark’s Daniel Dragicevic delivered in the 34th minute with a cheeky lob over Fury goalkeeper Dylan Hudson to level the scores.
However, Fury fought back to pull ahead again just prior to the break courtesy of Cassady’s back post header, set-up by a well-targeted cross from Caleb Hobson at the byline.
Fury were left to rue their bad luck shortly after the restart after Braedyn Crowley’s free-kick from just outside the box clattered back off the frame.
Palm Beach then took advantage of their fortune with a rapid-fire three goal burst in a searing five minute spell.
Fury’s defence failed to cover Lucas on 54 minutes to levell terms for the visitors before the league’s top goal scorer secured his second with a composed finish past Hudson in a one-on-one break two minutes later.
Kyle scored his first on the hour as further lapses plagued the Fury defence, and sealed his recent return to Sharks by securing a brace 13 minutes from time.
Kyle will face former club Brisbane City next week as Sharks look to continue their unbeaten run at home, while Fury will travel to the capital to face the in-form Brisbane Strikers at Perry Park.
NORTHERN FURY 2 (Jake PERRY 2’, Hamish CASSADY 45+1’)
PALM BEACH SHARKS 5 (Daniel DRAGICEVIC 34’, Chris LUCAS 56’ 58’, Jarrod KYLE 60’, 77’)
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