Words: Matt Dorman

Jamie Carroll fired FNQ FC Heat to their first victory of the season in a 6-3 win over Brisbane City on Saturday night.

Last season’s Semi-Finalists hit top form at Corporate Travel Management Stadium, overcoming a 3-2 half time deficit to extend City’s winless streak to four.

Heat opened the scoring through a familiar source in the 16^th minute as Alex Smith drove the opener from outside the penalty area.

City remained upbeat, though, and equalised almost immediately through Young Jae Joo to make it 1-1 inside 25 minutes.

After Heat recaptured the lead through youngster Matthew Filip prior to the half hour mark, the hosts managed to wrestle back the initiative with two goals before the break.

Kai Smith first netted with his second of the campaign, before winger Ryan Roderick put Glen Volker’s side ahead 3-2 and seemingly on track for a much-needed three points.

Carroll, however, had other ideas.

The attacker continued the rollercoaster affair by restoring parity in the 56^th minute, finishing with aplomb across City ‘keeper Stein before completing the rapid turnaround with a second moments later courtesy of Crios O’Hare’s assist.

Talismanic midfielder Smith then helped put the result beyond doubt by teeing up Carroll to seal his hattrick and make it 5-3.

Shaun Owens was denied by Stein late in proceedings but there was still time for Heat to grab a sixth, again assisted by Smith as the former Hyundai A-League man strode away down the right and squared for Crios O’Hare to cap a productive night for Martin Docherty’s men.

Brisbane City FC 3 (YOUNG Jae Joo 23’ Kai SMITH Ryan RODERICK)
FNQ FC Heat 6 (Alex SMITH 17’ Matthew FILIP 28’ Jamie CARROLL 56’, 60’, 75’ Crios O’HARE 85’)