Words: Matt Dorman
Image: Anthony Napoli/Brisbane City FC

Brisbane Strikers have come from behind to consign crosstown rivals Brisbane City to a second straight defeat, prevailing 2-1 at Corporate Travel Management Stadium on Friday night.

Defender Greig Henslee was the matchwinner for Strikers, heading his second of the season to cap a frantic second-half period.

Henslee might well have had an early opener for the visitors but he was adjudged off-side in turning home a free-kick, while Strikers suffered another setback in losing influential winger Greg King to injury.

Most of the first-half action was confined to shots from distance, with late cards for Henslee and fellow defender Chris Maher foreshadowing the drama after the restart.

Alistair Pase came closest first, forcing a one-on-one save from Michael Turnbull, before Kai Smith went one better just after the hour by putting City ahead from inside the area.

The joy was short-lived however as Draper soon hit back for Strikers, getting the final touch on a goalmouth scramble to level matters at 1-1.

After suffering a 6-0 defeat to Sunshine Coast FC last weekend, City’s misery continued when Henslee completed the turnaround with around ten minutes remaining.

The hosts were unable to salvage a point despite making all three changes as Strikers this time held on to their 2-1 advantage.

Victory means Kevin A’herne-Evans’ men remain unbeaten on four points, while Glen Volker’s City are now zero from two.

Brisbane City 1 (Kai SMITH 63’)
Brisbane Strikers 2 (Cameron DRAPER 69’ Greig HENSLEE 79’)