Words: Michelle Tobin
Image: Keith Eigeland/Football Queensland

Brisbane Roar NYL upset newly-crowned NPL Queensland Premiers Palm Beach Sharks on Wednesday night with a 1-0 win at Perry Park.

The Gold Coast side opted to rest a number of first team players against Jeff Hopkins’ side with plenty of chances falling to both sides throughout the 90 minutes.

Jarrod Kyle almost gave his side an early lead in the sixth minute, snatching at a shot inside the box and sending just over Ryan Meskell’s crossbar, and also went close on the 15 minute mark but his long range shot was also marginally off target.

Roar’s Logan Grillo was busy for his side, troubling the Sharks defence with a couple of strikes on goal in the first half but couldn’t get either of his efforts on target.

On the stroke of half-time, Jordan Lampard forced a reactive save from Sharks ‘keeper Shane Vitakangas with Roar unable to capitalise when the loose ball fell inside the area. 

Opportunities in front of goal were less frequent in the start of the second half as both teams tried to play out on the slick Perry Park surface.

Meskell’s effort between the sticks kept his side in the game, denying Palm Beach’s prolific goal scorer Chris Lucas in the 65^th minute and as the Roar found space in the midfield and pushed further forward.

With 15 minutes left on the clock, Lampard skewed a golden chance to seal the points when he shot just high when he had time before substitute Costa Psaros slammed home the winner just five minutes later from the top of the area.

Lucas honed in on goal in the dying stages of the match in search of a late equaliser but it was Meskell who again showed his worth, denying the Palm Beach attacker with a quick save at his near post.

In the final match of their NPL Queensland 2014 campaign, Roar host Western Pride while the Sharks travel to Redlands with both matches to be played this Sunday.

Brisbane Roar NYL 1 (Costa PSAROS 80’)
Palm Beach Sharks 0