Words: Michael Flynn

The BLK Silver Boot pre-season tournament concluded on Sunday with Lions FC defeating Brisbane Strikers in the Final, but Gold Coast City FC ultimately stealing the headlines.

Late Lions Winner Foils Strikers In Final

BRISBANE | Brisbane Strikers fought-back from a goal down only to concede in the final minutes to concede the BLK Silver Boot Final 2-1 to tournament hosts Lions FC.

The fiercely contested match rarely resembled a pre-season tie as the two former National Soccer League clubs duked it out – with Lions claiming the win via a dramatic late strike to Nathan Reardon.

A cagey start to the match offered few clear-cut chances until midway through the half when Strikers duo Trent Clulow and Shaun Carlos both forced saves by Lions goalkeeper Phil Zabaks

Strikers started the second half brightly – with Rhys Meredith again calling on Zabaks – before their momentum was lost after Lions Matija Simic suffered a suspected broken leg forcing a significant delay.

Lions recaptured their spark quickest after the resumption and soon opened accounts when Michael Butters snuck in behind the Strikers line and slotted his shot past a goalkeeper Sebastian Usai at full-stretch.

Strikers upped the ante in response and drew level with twenty minutes remaining as Shelford Dais capitalised on a poor defensive touch to draw the goalkeeper and tee-up Alistair Davis.

An end-to-end finish manifested as both sides spurned chances to edge ahead before Lions seized the win in the dying stages – Strikers defence blocking a shot on the line before Reardon pounced on the scraps to squeeze the winning goal through a crowded penalty area.

The win is Lions first in the tournament since 2014 and extends a three year drought for PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues clubs.

Lions FC  2 (Michael BUTTERS 54’, Nathan REARDON 88’)
Brisbane Strikers FC  1 (Alistair DAVIS 70’)

Miracle Comeback Sees City Claim Third

BRISBANE | Gold Coast City mounted an extraordinary comeback from a five goal deficit entering the final half-hour to seal an 8-6 extra time win over Holland Park Hawks in the Third Place Play-off.

Lyndon Dykes delivered four goals after entering the fray at half-time and Daniel Dragicevic also struck brace amidst the frenzied fightback that threatened to overshadow the main event.

Hawks started the contest brightly as Dean Briggs wrapped up a hat-trick in little over half an hour, before Sam Roper extended the margin to a near insurmountable four goals at the break with an audacious lobbed finish.

Dragicevic pulled a goal back after the restart before Hawks again seemingly wrapped up the win with penalty from Dan Smith and a tap-in from Marek Madel at the back post.

However, City commenced their resurrection almost instantly as Dragicevic netted his second before Dykes added three more in an electric ten minute spell – the striker opening his account with a chipped finish, turning in a strong header for his second before converting from the penalty spot.

The crucial equaliser came with four minutes remaining as defender Tim Jackson headed in to force extra time.

City maintained their momentum to over-run a shell-shocked Hawks - Dykes completing his haul by shaking a defender and slotting another sharp finish before Rhys Saunders made sure of the win with a well-placed header.

Gold Coast City FC  8 (Daniel DRAGICEVIC 58’ 68’, Lyndon DYKES 75’ 83’ 85’p 97’, Tim JACKSON 86’, Rhys SAUNDERS 112’)
Holland Park Hawks FC  6 (Dean BRIGGS 8’ 22’ 33’, Sam ROPER 44’, Dan SMITH 61’p, Marek MADEL 63’)