Words: Nick Crockford & Michael Flynn
Image: Albert Perez/Moreton Bay United

Three goals in three minutes booked Brisbane Strikers a second straight NPL Queensland Finals place, defeating Moreton Bay United 4-2 at Wolter Park on Saturday night.

Scot Coulson and Matt Thurtell each netted a brace for the visitors, while Jets striker Royce Brownlie added a goal in each half for the hosts.

Chances were few and far between in the opening twenty minutes of the match, with Brownlie and Strikers defender David Salin both shooting wide.

Strikers’ scoring spree commenced on 22 minutes when a free-kick rebounded for Coulson, who smashed a left-foot drive past Jets’ keeper Luke Borean.

Coulson secured his second barely a minute later, turning in Thurtell’s cross for his eighth goal of the regular season.

Sixty seconds later it was 3-0 when Jets’ Mitchell Sheumack misjudged a high, bouncing clearance on halfway and Thurtell raced clear to slot a low finish past Borean.

Strikers came close to a fourth shortly after as Thurtell beat four defenders before seeing his shot blocked and Jheison Macauce struck the post and rebounded fortuitously for Borean.

Brownlie pulled a goal back for the hosts as the half drew to a close - Charles Mendy forcing his way down the Jets’ left and crossing to Brownlie whose shot bobbled home from six yards.

Jets continued to threaten after the restart as Brownlie twice missed the target with headed efforts before Ryota Nakaoka delivered a timid shot from the edge of the area.

The misses proved costly as Thurtell netted his second with a deft chip of Borean on 54 minutes to effectively seal the points.

Thurtell saw another shot saved and Salin vollied wide before Cres King was deemed to have handled James Fairgrieve’s cross on 67 minutes – allowing Brownlie to convert from the penalty spot for his 34^th goal of the season.

Jets continued to battle but were denied by Strikers goalkeeper Michael Turnbull, who effected a double save from Matt Capelo and Mendy before Brownlie spurned the chance of a hat-trick by twice headed wide from close range.

The sides continued to exchange attacks until the final whistle with Strikers substitute Alex Schiavo denied by Corey Hooper on the line before Turnbull denied Matthew Sanchez from close-range in the final seconds.

The win puts paid to Jets’ NPL Queensland Finals ambitions and secures Strikers a second straight appearance in the end of season knock-out series.

Moreton Bay United 2 (Royce BROWNLIE 39’ 67’)
Brisbane Strikers 4 (Scott COULSON 23’ 24’, Matt THURTELL 25’ 55’)