Words: Michael Flynn
Image: Getty Images

Brisbane Strikers’ Westfield FFA Cup dream is over for 2015 after falling to a heart-breaking 4-3 extra time defeat to Hume City at ABD Stadium on Wednesday night.

A last minute own goal dramatically ended Strikers hopes of a second consecutive Round of 16 appearance after the current PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland leaders twice sacrificed hard-fought leads.

Strikers took the lead for the first time only a minute from full-time courtesy of goals to Greig Henslee and Scot Coulson before Marcus Schroen forced the match into extra time with a dramatic last-gasp equaliser.

Coulson struck his second of the match in the first period of extra time to again give Strikers the advantage, only for Hume to steal victory with two goals in the final fifteen minutes.

Strikers went on the backfoot only two minutes into the match after midfielder Nick Hegarty fired into the top corner following a lay-off from Ivan Pavlak.

However, the Queenslanders soon settled and proved dangerous as Josh Ahern and Apai Ukono both fashioned chances.

Hume were denied a second on the quarter hour when Strikers goalkeeper Fraser Chalmers made a sharp save to deny a low shot from the increasingly prominent Schroen.

Henslee then levelled terms midway through the half with a booming close-range header from a Greg King free-kick - the central defender's first goal in this year’s Westfield FFA Cup campaign.

The contest intensified with a series of strong challenges from both sides before Hume City gained the ascendency late in the half.

The hosts missed the chance to regain the lead though as another low strike from Schroen once again failed to beat Chalmers prior just prior to half-time.

Buoyed by a boisterous home crowd, Hume City continued to dominate after the restart and saw a goal disallowed before the hour.

Chalmers again kept Strikers in the match with a stunning save to tip clear a shot from Hegarty before the visitors again edged their way back into the contest.

Following a series of half-chances Strikers found a near-certain match winner as Coulson combined with Michael Angus before sneaking home the finish on the near post in the final minute of regular time.

However, Strikers' celebrations were cut short as Hume replied straight from the kick-off - Schroen rising high to meet Pavlak's cross and force the match into extra time.

Strikers forward Jheison Macuace fashioned the first chance of extra time, however his night ended soon after - the Colombian subbed after a tireless shift finally took its toll.

The setback was overcome almost immediately, however, as Coulson delivered his second after seizing on a defensive error from Hume City's Shaun Timmins before slotting a composed one-on-one finish.

But the twists and turns continued when Hume City once again levelled almost immediately as Schroen hit a pin-point header from Jai Ingham's corner kick.

Strikers sought to gain the upper hand for a third time as Chris Maher shot narrowly across the face of goal and David Salin forced a save from Hume City goalkeeper Chris Oldfield.

However, just as the match looked set for penalties Strikers’ succumbed to a last-minute Hume winner - Greig Henslee inadvertently turning the ball into this own net from substitute Liam Newman's squared ball.

The result marks the earliest exit for Strikers in the Westfield FFA Cup after reaching the Round of 16 in the competition’s inaugural year.

Hume City FC  4 (Nick HEGARTY 3’, Marcus SCHROEN 90+1 106’, own goal 120’)
Brisbane Strikers FC  3 (Greig HENSLEE 23’, Scot COULSON 90’ 103’)