Words: Daniel Scharff
Image: Getty Images

Brisbane Strikers are in to the next round of the Westfield FFA Cup, fighting from a goal down to defeat Broadmeadow Magic 2-1 in extra time in Newcastle on Tuesday night.

Magic took the lead in the second half through Scott Pettit, before Strikers replied two minutes later through go-to man Matt Thurtell.

Thurtell then turned provider in the first half of extra time to allow fullback Scot Coulson to round out an historic night for the club on the national stage.

Strikers showed their intent right from the beginning earning the first of seven first half corners in only the first minute.

The sides proved cautious in the do-or die cup format, with Strikers creating the better chances through much of the first half.

The deadlock looked to be broken as Greg King pounced on a loose ball near halfway and streaked towards Magic goalkeeper Chris Bowling one-on-one only to guide the ball just past the far post.

A statistically dominant display by Strikers in the first half slowed down after the break.

Pettit took advantage finding the net for the hosts on the hour following a quick one-two to break through Strikers defensive line.

Parity was restored only two minutes later though as sharp ball across the box by King was set into his path by a Jackson Hall header and rifled into the net by Thurtell.

With scores level, the game continued in a tense fashion for the rest of regulation time.

The pressure found the better of Magic’s Joshua Piddington, who was shown a red card on 82 minutes after being adjudged to have brought down Thurtell inside the box.

As controversy surrounding whether the foul was inside or outside the penalty area, Keenan Duimpies saw his penalty saved by Bowling.

With the extra man advantage, Strikers again took control as Magic appeared content to hold on for penalties.

Strikers made the breakthrough late in the first period of extra time when Thurtell managed to set the ball up for Coulson to touch past Bowling from six yards out after a deep cross by substitute Jonti Richter.

Late drama unfolded when Bowling was shown a second yellow for a foul on Thurtell after racing back from a late Broadmeadow corner, with Magic striker Chris Berlin filling in as goalkeeper as Magic saw out the match with nine men.

Broadmeadow Magic 1 (Scott PETTIT 60’)
Brisbane Strikers 2 (Matthew THURTELL 62’, Scot COULSON 103’)