Words: Michael Flynn
Image: Albert Perez/Moreton Bay United FC

Moreton Bay United rocketed to the top of the table on Saturday night, dismantling a ten man Sunshine Coast FC 7-0 at Wolter Park.

Charles Mendy, Jordan Farina and Daniel Clark scored two goals apiece for Jets, with Ryota Nakaooka also chiming in to round out the impressive haul.

Jets continued their penchant for quick starts this season when Farina opened accounts with a left footed strike after just five minutes after being teed up by Clark.

Fire had plenty of ball as they sought to fight back via a direct approach - Jets goalkeeper Luke Borean twice denying Fire attackers Reyze Kelly and Kenya Takahashi.

However, Jets doubled their advantage just after the half hour when Mendy won possession before delivering a neat ball in for Clark to volley home from close range.

Clark then secured his brace seven minutes later, shaking his defender with a sharp run before slotting home an angled finish.

Fire’s situation went from bad to worse when Kaine Frew was dismissed just prior to half-time for a challenge on Jets’ Matt Capello.

Jets continued to bombard the Fire goal and increased their advantage only five minutes after the restart - Nakaooka side-footing home after being picked out by Mendy’s ball from the byline.

On the hour Mendy quickly opened and then doubled his own account, skirting a defender before delivering a composed finish for his first before latching on to Jackson Hall’s through ball and slotting home to secure his brace.

The Frenchman was again instrumental in the final goal, earning a free-kick on the edge of the box before Farina converted with a right-footed strike to the top corner.

Fire spurned several late chances to net a consolation with Tim Hollingworth twice delivering sizzling runs to get a sight on goal but proving unable to deliver the finishing touch.

Jets coach Adam Piddick was delighted with the performance but remained somewhat surprised at the magnitude of the final margin.

“Obviously 7-0, no one expected that including myself, but the boys worked their socks off and got their just rewards,” Piddick said.

Fire player coach Paul Arnison conceded it simply wasn’t his team’s night.

“If we don’t take our chances, how can we expect to score goals? On the other side of the coin Moreton Bay probably had about ten shots and scored seven goals so it’s great for them and not so good for us,” Arnison said.

Moreton Bay United FC  7 (Jordan FARINA 5’ 70’, Daniel Clark 34’ 41’, Ryota NAKAOOKA 50’, Charles MENDY 60’ 62’)
Sunshine Coast FC  0