Words: Michael Flynn
Image: Steven Gibson Photography/Brisbane Roar FC

The top four remains unchanged after the latest round of PlayStation® 4 NPL Queensland fixtures.

Brisbane City FC  1 (Antonio MURRAY 7’)
Olympic FC  3 (Rhys MEREDITH 42’, Kazuya ITO 48’, Tim SMITS 50’)

Olympic FC extended rivals Brisbane City’s early season woes on Friday night, fighting back from a goal down to win 3-1 at Corporate Travel Management Stadium.

Antonio Murray put City ahead only minutes into the contest before Olympic consigned the hosts to their fifth defeat of the season courtesy of goals from Rhys Meredith, Kazuya Ito and Tim Smits.

Speaking post-match Olympic midfielder Darren Gray said momentum was building within the side after recording a third straight win.

“We’re confident now. We started the season poorly considering how we started the pre-season but the boys are very confident, training has been good and we’re very happy with how we’re progressing now.”

Full match report - http://bit.ly/1G3Y3cW

Northern Fury FC  6 (Sam HERLIHY 3’ 13’ 54’, Jake PERRY 19’, Joe THORNTON 25’p 48’)
SWQ Thunder FC  0 

A Sam Herlihy hat-trick and a brace to Joe Thornton guided Northern Fury to a 6-0 drubbing of SWQ Thunder at Townsville Sports Reserve on Saturday night.

Jake Perry also added his name to the scoresheet as Fury ran riot to record their first home win of the campaign and consign Thunder to a third straight PlayStation® 4 NPL Queensland defeat.

Thunder coach Chris Wilkes admitted his side were outplayed for the second straight week after their last start 5-0 loss to FNQ FC Heat in Cairns.

“We have to find a way to cut out individual errors and until we do that it’s going to continue to hurt,” Wilkes explained.

Full match report - http://bit.ly/1G3Xk8P

Western Pride FC  2 (Chris SCOTT 65’, Lincoln RULE 67’)
Redlands United FC  1 (Jayden PRASAD 8’)

Western Pride fought from a goal down to return to the PlayStation® 4 NPL Queensland top three on Saturday night, defeating Redlands United 2-1 at Briggs Road Complex.

Chris Scott and Lincoln Rule both struck in the second half for Pride to deliver the Red Devils their third straight defeat of the campaign.

Redlands midfielder Igor Sao Jose explained that despite the winless start to the season he is confident his team have what it takes to get their campaign firing.

“I do reckon we’re progressing and we’re getting better every week and eventually that win is going to come. That is going to be our turning point for the season,” he said.

Full match report - http://bit.ly/1yD6Cc6

Brisbane Roar FC Youth  4 (Nicholas D’AGOSTINO 17’p 26’, Austin LUDWICK 83’, Sam SIBATUARA 90+2’)
FNQ FC Heat  2 (Alex SMITH 9’, Crios O’HARE 50’)

Two goals in the final ten minutes guided Brisbane Roar Youth to a 4-2 win over FNQ Heat at Perry Park on Sunday.

Nicholas D’Agostino netted a first half brace for the hosts but it was late goals to Austin Ludwick and Sam Sibatuara that ultimately sealed the points for Young Roar.

Heat were seeking back-to-back wins for the first time this season and took the lead early courtesy of the club’s leading goal scorer Alex Smith.

Heat coach Martin Docherty said his side's first-half performance was disappointing

"We didn't work hard enough off the ball and that allowed the Roar boys in behind us quite easily to create chances," he explained.

Full match report - http://bit.ly/1IrS1k0

Sunshine Coast FC  3 (Reyze KELLY 39’ 63’, Jacob FULLUCK 87’)
Palm Beach SC  1 (Joshua RIIS 41’)

Sunshine Coast FC notched their second straight win after accounting for Palm Beach SC 3-1 at Sunshine Coast Stadium on Sunday.

Reyze Kelly scored either side of half-time for the hosts before Jacob Fulluck iced the result with a late goal.

Fire player-coach Paul Arnison described the win as a “great achievement” against the defending PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland Champions.

“(The team) thoroughly deserved the three points with our effort, commitment and work over ninety minutes,” he said.

Full match report - http://bit.ly/1JiC0wL

Brisbane Strikers FC  1 (Josh AHERN 59’)
Moreton Bay United FC  1 (Daniel CLARK 14’)

Brisbane Strikers remain top of the PlayStation® 4 NPL Queensland table after drawing 1-1 with second-placed Moreton Bay United at Perry Park on Sunday.

Daniel Clark scored the opening goal for Jets in the first half before Josh Ahern levelled terms in the second stanza in a stereotypical tale of two halves.

The result maintains Strikers one point advantage atop the league standings, with Jets a point behind in second but still holding a game in hand.

Speaking post-match, Strikers coach Kevin A’herne-Evans said the result was a fair reflection on the contest.

“It was a good all-round game. Moreton Bay are a good side and we know that. We’ve said for a long time they will be contenders this year and they took another step towards that tonight,” he said.

Full match report - http://bit.ly/1JV7UAy