Words: Michael Flynn
Image: Frenchville SC

FNQ Heat will return to the Westfield FFA Cup Round of 32 for a second straight year after cruising past Frenchville SC 7-1 at Ryan Park in Rockhampton on Sunday.

Heat are the first Queensland club to qualify for the national stage of the competition in 2015, which may see the PlayStation® 4 NPL Queensland side drawn against a Hyundai A-League club in the following rounds.

Heat progressed on the back of a hat-trick to star midfielder Alex Smith and a brace to Crios O’Hare, with further goals provided by Jamie Gosling and Jamie Carroll.

Frenchville found consolation with a penalty from former CQFC Energy player Jordan Miller in the final minutes.

Despite parochial local support for Frenchville, Heat dominated the contest from the outset against their third-tier Central Queensland Premier League opponents.

Smith netted the first of the night less than ten minutes in after delivering an opportunistic finish to a loose ball in the box.

Heat created a flurry of further opportunities before Smith doubled the advantage just after the half-hour with a pin-point 20-yard finish into the bottom corner of the goal.

Four minutes later O’Hare delivered the visitors a three-goal half-time advantage with a sharp snapshot from just inside the edge of the area.

Smith remained a constant menace after the restart and turned provider for Heat’s fourth goal before the hour - delivering a corner to Gosling on the edge of the box, who in turn beat several defenders before rifling home the finish.

Smith then rounded out his hat-trick with a powerful strike as part of a three-pronged counter attack with support from O’Hare and David Di Luchio with a quarter hour remaining.

With the win effectively assured, Heat continued added two further goals in the following five minutes.

Carroll delivered a clever chipped finish into the top corner on 77 minutes before O’Hare slotted a first-time strike from a cut-back only two minutes later to secure his double.

A controversial penalty call against Heat goalkeeper Nicholas Mooney spoiled Heat’s hopes of a clean sheet in the final minutes - Miller converting with a firm strike from the spot.

Heat will now await the Westfield FFA Cup Round of 32 draw later this year, where they will be joined by Hyundai A-League powerhouse Brisbane Roar and three other qualifying Queensland clubs.

Frenchville SC  1 (Jordan MILLER 85’p)
FNQ FC Heat  7 (Alex SMITH 8’ 32’ 75’, Crios O’HARE 36’ 79’, Jamie GOSLING 52’, Jamie CARROLL 77’)