Words: Michael Flynn
Image: FNQ FC Heat

Moreton Bay United returned to first place in PlayStation® 4 NPL Queensland after triumphing 4-1 against FNQ Heat at Barlow Park on Saturday.

Goals to Jordan Farina, Jackson Hall, Ryota Nakaooka and Jonathan Marraiya drove Jets to victory and extended their unbeaten start to the season to six games.

An attacking start to the contest saw both sides find the target early - Heat goalkeeper dealing with a headed attempt from Royce Brownlie before Luke Borean denied Mqondisi Nkiwane’s strike shortly after.

The hosts then opened accounts on the quarter hour when Jamie Carroll worked his way in behind the Jets backline and delivered a sharp finish into the bottom corner.

The teams continued to exchange chances before Jets levelled terms ten minutes later through mid-week Westfield FFA Cup goal hero Jordan Farina, who headed home after being picked out by Hall’s cross.

Jets continued to pile on the pressure as Matthew Zappone saw his shot cleared off the line by Josh Jennison, before Farina forced a sharp save from Ward with a well-struck attempt

On 34 minutes the visitors took the lead for the first time as Hall’s cross from a short corner took a fortuitous deflection to fly into the goal.

Heat weren’t so fortunate as they sought to level terms before half-time as Nkiwane struck the post from 12 yards out.

The hosts continued to push for an equaliser after the restart as Borean delivered a solid save to deny Heat leading goalscorer Alex Smith.

Jets didn’t double their advantage until after the hour when Nakaooka dribbled into goalscoring range from outside the box and delivered a simple finish past Ward.

The chances continued to present for the visitors as Brownlie and Daniel Clark peppered the Heat goal.

Smith saw another well-struck effort saved by Borean with five minutes remaining, before Marraiya sealed the points in the final minutes for the visitors.

The result leaves Heat without a win from their past three games and lanquishing in ninth place on the table.

Heat coach Martin Docherty didn’t hide his disappointment post match and pointed to a lack of confidence amongst his charges.

“Nobody scores a decent goal against us. We just concede stupid goal after stupid goal continuously. It’s disappointing because we have some experience at the back and there’s no leadership at the moment,” he said bluntly.

Jets goalkeeper Borean credited hard work in the centre of the pitch as crucial to his side’s overall performance.

“Our two midfielders are our workhorses in the middle. For ninety minutes they didn’t stop running and they put us on the front foot after the slow start,” he said.

FNQ FC Heat  1 (Jamie CARROLL 15’)
Moreton Bay United FC  4 (Jordan FARINA 25’, Jackson HALL 33’, Ryota NAKAOOKA 68’, Jonathan MARRAIYA 89’)