Words: Michael Flynn
Image: Steven Gibson Photography

Northern Fury and FNQ Heat both fell while the league-leaders narrowly escaped an upset in PlayStation® 4 NPL Queensland Round 15.

FNQ FC Heat  1 (Crios O'HARE 30')
Brisbane City FC  3 (Keith Chan 36', Anthony POLJAK 64', Antonio MURRAY 90+2')

Two first-time goalscorers guided an understrength Brisbane City to a come-from-behind 3-1 win over FNQ Heat at Borzi Park in Mareeba on Saturday night.

First ever senior goals to Keith Chan and Anthony Poljak saw the visitors overturn an early strike from Heat’s Crios O’Hare before star striker Antonio Murray wrapped up the points for City in time added on.

The results arrests a two-match losing streak for City and marks a fourth win in their past six games under interim coach Darron Heseldon.

City coach Heseldon highlighted the fighting spirit of his young side to earn the full complement of points.

“We’ve been behind in every game we’ve won this year under me and these boys really play for me,” he said

Match report and post-match interviews - http://bit.ly/1fMBGxR

Brisbane Roar FC Youth  1 (Thomas MILLER 57')
Brisbane Strikers FC  2 (Cameron DRAPER 17', Trent CLULOW 29')

Brisbane Strikers are now top of the PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland standings following a 2-1 win over Brisbane Roar Youth at Perry Park on Saturday night.

First half goals to Cameron Draper and Trent Clulow secured Strikers a two-goal advantage at half-time before Thomas Miller pulled a goal back for the hosts in the second half.

The win is Strikers second over Young Roar this season and puts paid to Young Roar’s seven match unbeaten run in PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland.

Young Roar coach John Sime said his side turned things around in the second half but their first half performance ultimately cost points.

“We knew how they were going to play and they were going to press us high and in the first half we just didn’t cope with it,” he said.

Match report and post-match interviews - http://bit.ly/1dnrbPz

Northern Fury FC  1 (Ari ISMAN 70')
Redlands United FC  3 (own goal 33', Igor SAO JOSE 35', Nico BECHAR 78')

Redlands United are again amongst the Finals Series contenders after defeating Northern Fury 3-1 at Brolga Park on Saturday night.

Igor Sao Jose added to an own goal from Fury to give the Red Devils a two goal half-time advantage before Nico Bechar wrapped up the points for the visitors late in the piece.

The win sees the Red Devils leapfrog a host of clubs into fifth place in the standings behind Brisbane Roar Youth, who are ineligible for the Final Series in 2015 under competition rules.

Redlands Technical Director Matt Chandler said his side had shone early in the second half to deny Fury's fightback.

“We defended very well because I thought (Fury) were excellent and they worked the ball very well,” he said.

Match report - http://bit.ly/1LuCAeD

Moreton Bay United FC  1 (Royce BROWNLIE 60')
SWQ Thunder FC  0

League-leaders Moreton Bay United squandered a score of chances before prevailing 1-0 over last-placed SWQ Thunder at Wolter Park on Sunday.

Veteran striker Royce Brownlie delivered the decisive goal on the hour to edge Jets ahead of Premiership rivals Brisbane Strikers on the PlayStation® 4 NPL Queensland table with a game still in hand.

For Thunder, the result marks a twelfth straight defeat as they continue to search for their first league win of the year.

Jets coach Adam Piddick said he was disappointed with the performance from his side and said it provided a poor spectacle for the home supporters.

“For a Sunday game it was a decent crowd and they’ve probably gone home thinking, ‘well what the hell was that?’,” he said.

Match report and post-match interviews - http://bit.ly/1LCDd6T

Olympic FC  2 (Tim SMITS 73' 88')
Sunshine Coast FC  0

Striker Tim Smits delivered a second-half brace as Olympic FC defeated Sunshine Coast FC 2-0 at Goodwin Park on Sunday.

The Olympic marksman twice headed in from set-pieces to move to equal first in the race for the PlayStation® 4 NPL Queensland Golden Boot and end his side’s run of three matches without a win.

The result strengthens Olympic’s hold on third place in the table, while continuing a mid-season slide for Fire who drop into the bottom third for the first time this season.

Fire captain Kelly said despite the poor run of results the signs were there that Fire are returning to their best.

“We’re definitely coming out of our slump. We haven’t got the points behind us to show it but anyone that’s watching the games can see we are back on track,” he said.

Match report and post-match interviews - http://bit.ly/1ID1lzY