Words: Michael Flynn
Image: Anthony Napoli/Brisbane City FC

The top two dropped points while Brisbane City and Redlands United continued their resurgence in Round 12 of PlayStation® 4 NPL Queensland.

Olympic FC  4 (Tim SMITS 30’ 51’ 76’, Sam CRONIN 33’)
Moreton Bay United FC  2 (Charles MENDY 41’ 63’p)

Tim Smits delivered his second hat-trick in as many games to guide Olympic FC to a 4-2 win over league-leaders Moreton Bay United at Goodwin Park on Friday.

Smits haul was complemented by a first-half strike from Sam Cronin for the hosts while Charles Mendy netted a brace for Jets.

The result lifts Olympic level on points with Brisbane Strikers but the 2013 Premiers-Champions remain in third place on goal difference.

Jets coach Adam Piddick accepted his side’s first league defeat of 2015 good-naturedly following a nine-match unbeaten start to the campaign.

“If you told me (the undefeated run) was the case at the start of the year I would’ve taken it. It’s disappointing tonight but not many teams will come here and take points off Olympic,” he said.

Full match report and post-match interviews - http://bit.ly/1AylolC

Redlands United FC  2 (Lyndon DYKES 5’, Igor SAO JOSE 57’)
Brisbane Strikers FC  1 (Jheison MACUACE 86’p)

Redlands United extended their unbeaten run to five games in all competitions after shocking in-form Brisbane Strikers 2-1 at Cleveland Showgrounds on Friday night.

Lyndon Dykes and Igor Sao Jose did the damage for the hosts with goals in each half before Jheison Macuace scored a consolation penalty late in the contest for Strikers.

The win ends a three-match winning streak for Strikers in the league and lifts the Red Devils to ninth in the standings - their highest position since March.

Redlands defender Matt Lyell said the result was a reward for a full team defensive effort.

“Everyone stayed nice and compact, we kept our shape for the full ninety minutes and we fought for each other and we got the victory,” he said.

Full match report and post-match interviews - http://bit.ly/1cn99MS

Palm Beach SC  2 (Justyn MCKAY 54’p, Matthew JONES 78’)
Brisbane Roar FC Youth  2 (Abraham YANGO 4’, Shelford DAIS 47’)

Brisbane Roar Youth let slip a two goal second-half lead to draw 2-2 with Palm Beach SC at Mallawa Complex on Saturday night.

Young Roar held the advantage only minutes after half-time courtesy goals of to Abraham Yango and Shelford Dais before Sharks rode their home support to level terms via skipper Justyn McKay and Matthew Jones.

Sharks coach Grae Piddick said his team’s performances are improving but they are yet to reach their best.

“We’re doing some good things in patches and the key word is that it’s only been in patches. We need to do it for ninety minutes particularly away from home and with a big FFA Cup game next week,” he said.

Full match report and post-match interviews - http://bit.ly/1Qh8xWG

SWQ Thunder FC  0
Western Pride FC  7 (own goal 19’, Mitchell BIRD 29’ 30’, Todd NORRIS 45’ 82’, Lincoln RULE 85’p, Jay KITCHING 90+2’)

Western Pride returned to the top half of the table with a comprehensive 7-0 demolition of SWQ Thunder FC at Commonwealth Oval on Sunday.

Mid-season recruits Todd Norris and Mitchell Bird both struck doubles for the visitors, with Lincoln Rule and Jay Kitching adding to a Thunder own goal.

The win ends a four-match run without a win for Pride and leaves Thunder still searching for their first win of the season after ten games.

Pride coach Karl Dodd dismissed suggestions the score flattered his team.

“I think it could’ve been a lot more, it just took us a while to get back into gear in the second half. So I think 7-0 is a fair result,” he said.

Full match report and post-match interviews - http://bit.ly/1HWVt9F

Brisbane City FC  2 (Antonio MURRAY 12’, Mat BIGGINS 39’)
Sunshine Coast FC  1 (Jacob FULLUCK 11’)

Brisbane City extended their mid-season resurgence to three straight wins after defeating Sunshine Coast FC 2-1 at Corporate Travel Management Stadium on Sunday.

Fire’s Jacob Fulluck opened the scoring early in the first half, however City levelled immediately via Antonio Murray before Mat Biggins wrapped up the points prior to half-time.

The win balances the ledger for City following an inglorious 6-0 opening round loss against Fire in March at Sunshine Coast Stadium

The result has no effect on either club’s placing on the league table with City remaining in eleventh and Fire holding on to fourth on goal difference.

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