Words: Michael Flynn
Image: Paul Smith/SWQ Thunder FC

FNQ Heat made it four straight wins in all competitions after cruising to a 5-1 victory over SWQ Thunder at Clive Berghofer Stadium on Saturday evening.

Joshua Pin delivered a brace for the visitors to add to an own goal and strikes from Jamie Carroll and Mqondisi Nkiwane, while Thomas Fanning netted Thunder’s consolation.

The result leaves Thunder still searching for their first win of the 2015 PlayStation® 4 NPL Queensland campaign.

Heat saw the better of the contest from the outset but couldn't make the most of their chances against a depleted Thunder side missing skipper Keagan Sheridan and marksman Chris Hewson.

Thunder appeared likely to keep their opponent scoreless as half-time approach before Carroll delivered the opener late in the first half - his close range shot parried into the back of the net by Thunder goalkeeper Pierce Clark.

Pin then turned the ball home amidst a goalmouth scramble to double the advantage at the half and record his first ever PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland goal

Two further goals within 15 minutes of the restart put paid to any hopes of an unlikely Thunder revival.

Pin pounced on an initial save from Clark to slot the visitor’s third of the evening, before Clark deflected the ball into his own net on the hour.

Thunder all-time leading goal scorer Fanning pulled a goal back with 19 minutes remaining after latching onto a pass from Jackson Franke.

It signalled a brief purple patch for the hosts late in the match, however Heat rounded out their performance with a top-corner finish from substitute Nkiwane in the final minute of regular time.

The result continues a mid-season return to form for Heat and lifts the Cairns club into sixth in the PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland standings ahead of the round’s Sunday fixtures.

Speaking post-match, Heat coach Martin Docherty said he was disappointed by his team’s performance despite the three points.

“I was hoping tonight that we would keep a clean sheet but they scored a goal and quite possibly could’ve scored another one right after with a volley,” Docherty said.

Thunder coach Chris Wilkes said he was again impressed by the determination of his squad following a seven goal defeat last week against Brisbane Roar Youth.

“Games like last week were very, very hard and tonight they showed a lot of heart and a lot of character,” Wilkes said.

SWQ Thunder FC  1 (Thomas FANNING 71’
FNQ FC Heat  5 (Jamie CARROLL 44’, Joshua PIN 45’ 53’, own goal 60’, Mqondisi Nkiwane 89’)