Words: Michael Flynn

Western Pride and FNQ Heat notched another win on their pre-season belts, but it wasn't so cut and dry for Northern Fury, Brisbane Strikers and Sunshine Coast FC.

Clinical Rovers Shut-Out Strikers

BRISBANE | An understrength Brisbane Strikers rarely threatened as they went down to partner club Rochedale Rovers 3-0 in their friendly hit-out at Underwood Park.

In a contest that suffered due to persistent rain, Strikers predominately youth-based side proved little match against their more experienced and clinical Brisbane Premier League opponents.

Rovers opened the scoring after the half-hour when Greg Chesire dispossessed Strikers defender Jake Marshall before slotting a one-on-one finish past goalkeeper Seb Usai.

The hosts doubled their advantage after the hour when Darryl Grant delivered a well-struck first-time finish following an ineffectual Strikers clearance.

Seiji Shozuno then wrapped up the result five minutes later -  striking a powerful volley from ten yards after latching on to a cross at the back post.

Strikers continue their pre-season against further Brisbane Premier League opposition on Thursday night in the BLK Silver Boot Semi Finals when they line-up against Holland Park Hawks.

Rochedale Rovers FC  3 (Greg CHESIRE 35’, Darryl GRANT 70’, Seiji SHOZUNO 75’)
Brisbane Strikers FC  0

Fury Draw Magpies With Late Strike

TOWNSVILLE | Joe Thornton scored a dramatic late equaliser to help Northern Fury salvage a 2-2 draw against Mackay Magpies at Brolga Park.

Fury took the lead in the first-half but found themselves on the back foot entering the final quarter hour after a determined fightback from their Mackay Premier League opponents.

Despite testing tropical conditions, both sides contested the match with considerable intensity throughout.

Fury striker Michael Eisenhut fashioned the opening goal just after the quarter hour – gaining possession at the top of the box before converting a firmly struck finish.

However, parity was restored before the break when Michael Ryall slipped in behind the Fury defence and slotted neatly past goalkeeper Matt Bolton.

The Magpies took an unlikely lead entering the final quarter hour when former CQFC Energy player Warrick Jansen converted a sliding finish from a cutback ahead of Fury defender Kris Dennis.

Bolton kept his side in the contest with a telling save to deny Ryall entering the final ten minutes before Fury raised their intensity in search of an equaliser.

They found reward in the final minute of regular time when Thornton pounced on a loose ball just outside the area and rifled a solid strike into the bottom corner of the goal.

Fury continue their pre-season against PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues rivals FNQ Heat next weekend in Cairns – the second pre-season meeting between the sides this year.

Northern Fury FC  2 (Michael EISENHUT 16’, Joe THORNTON 90’)
Mackay Magpies  2 (Michael RYALL 36’, Warrick JANSEN 75’)

Patient Pride Defeat North Pine

MORETON BAY | Western Pride struck twice in the final quarter hour to overcome a dogged Brisbane Premier League outfit North Pine SC 2-0 at Bob Brock Park.

Contested in patchy rain, Pride were frustrated for extended periods by a defensively-minded North Pine – with the first half delivering few clear cut chances for either side.

Despite half-time adjustments, Pride continued to dominate possession without reward until the final quarter hour of the contest as Mitchell Bird set-up two late goals.

Pride broke the deadlock when Bird picked out Gabriel Hawash, who converted a first-time finish from the edge of the box.

Only minutes later Bird was then brought down inside the penalty area – Lincoln Rule drilling the resulting spot-kick down the middle to seal the result.

Eliminated from the BLK Silver Boot tournament earlier this week, Pride are scheduled to face Brisbane Premier League club Lions FC midweek as their intensive pre-season schedule continues.

North Pine SC  0
Western Pride FC  2 (Gabriel HAWASH 76’, Lincoln RULE 80’p)

FNQ Over-Run Leichardt

CAIRNS | FNQ Heat struck three second half goals to overcome FNQ Premier League outfit Leichardt FC 3-0 at White Rock.

Contested in heavy humidity, Heat asserted themselves on the contest early but proved unable to get the better of a well-organised Leichardt defence before the break.

However, Heat’s passing and possession eventually wore down their opponents and earned reward just prior to the hour – Jamie Carroll making the most of space on the edge of the box to guide a floated finish into the top corner.

A stunning solo goal from Keiran Sanders soon doubled the advantage – the Englishman cutting inside from the wing, feigning a shot to shake a defender before curling a pin-point strike around Leichardt goalkeeper Nathan Hayden.

The hosts sought to get back into the contest but couldn’t get the better of trialling Heat goalkeeper Luke McDonald, who delivered a full-stretched save to tip over a long-range attempt from Jarryn Fittock.

Heat’s fitness then came to the fore in the closing stages before a Leichardt handball conceded a penalty – Jamie Gosling sending Hayden the wrong way to seal a second straight pre-season win for his side.

Leichardt FC  0
FNQ FC Heat 3 (Jamie CARROLL 59’, Keiran SANDER 68’, Jamie GOSLING 83’p)

Wet Douses Fire Friendly

SUNSHINE COAST | Sunshine Coast FC's scheduled friendly against Maroochydore FC was cancelled due to persistent wet-weather.

The cancellation puts a significant dent in the pre-season planning of Fire coach Paul Arnison – his side now going a fortnight without a pre-season match with the season starting in just three weeks.

Fire are scehduled to continue their pre-season fixtures against Gold Coast club Magic United next Saturday.