Words & Image: Brisbane Strikers

A late goal from Matt Thurtell rescued a Brisbane Strikers a point against Northern Fury on Sunday, the 2-2 draw extending their unbeaten run to seven games.

The teams went into the break locked 1-1 after Greg King’s opener was cancelled out by Kevin Fraser late in the half, before Thurtell’s strike returned the favour following Corey Waples second half goal.

Strikers saw the better of possession in the first half, dominating the chances before taking the lead on 27 minutes when Strikers skipper King pounced on a parried save from Fury goalkeeper Matthew Symes that denied Scot Coulson.

Fury struggled to make an impact in the attacking third, but nevertheless hit back on the stroke of half-time when attacking midfielder Fraser crossed low into the edge of the six yard box.

Desperate defending from Strikers scrambling defence denied two Fury shots on the goal line, but the home team failed to clear the area and Fraser converted with the third attempt at close range.

Buoyed by the breakthrough, Fury began the second half in strong fashion. Waples doubling the advantage with a spectacular volleyed strike after the hour that flew into the top right corner of the goal.

Strikers struggled to find attacking fluency as they strived to hit back, faiing to seriously trouble Symes until midfielder Jheison Macuace forced a Fury defensive turnover and slipped a pass to Thurtell with seven minutes remaining.

The club’s leading goal scorer showed a clever change of pace as he worked the ball on to his left foot and placed his shot past Symes on the angle to salvage a share of the points.

The result sees Strikers drop to fourth place in the standings, ahead of next weekend’s Brisbane derby against a rejuvenated Brisbane City at Spencer Park.

Fury remain mired in third last position, but well ahead on points of league strugglers Western Pride and SWQ Thunder.

Brisbane Strikers 2 (Greg KING 27’, Matt THURTELL 84’)
Northern Fury 2 (Kevin FRASER 45+1’, Corey WAPLES 68’)