Words: Michael Flynn
Additional Reporting: Garry McKenzie
Images: Chris Simpson

Jarrod Kyle struck a hat-trick and Morgan Saunders a brace as Gold Coast City opened their tally for 2016 with a runaway 6-2 win over Western Pride at Briggs Road.

The open contest saw plenty of chances for both sides, with several saves from City goalkeeper Shane Viitakangas proving telling in the final result.

City stormed to a three goal advantage inside the half hour before Pride mounted a comeback to drew to within a goal at the half.

However, the visitors finished the stronger to seal the result in the second stanza.

Kyle’s hat-trick is his first in PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland after 48 appearances, while Saunders goals were his first ever in the national second tier competition.

The result lifts City to fourth in the league standings after the second round.

Key Moments

12’ - GOAL FOR CITY – Pride goalkeeper Duncan Short parries a shot from Jordon Lampard allowing Morgan Saunders to turn the second attempt into an empty net.

21’ – GOAL FOR CITY – Daniel Dragicevic breaks down the right and cutbacks to an unmarked Jarrod Kyle, who slams home the finish from the edge of the area

25 – GOAL FOR CITY – Jarrod Kyle slots his finish into an empty net from the edge of the box after Duncan Short is left stranded after blocking a shot in the build-up

41’ – GOAL FOR PRIDE – City goalkeeper Shane Viitakangas clatters into Joseph Duckworth inside the box. Corey Lucas converts from the spot kick

45’ – GOAL FOR PRIDE – Joseph Duckworth is on hand to ram the ball home after Mitchell Birds’s initial effort is pushed into his path by Shane Viitakangas

51’ – GOAL FOR CITY – Jarrod Kyle runs through the pack and onto a through-ball to deliver a strong finish from close range for his hat-trick

80’ – GOAL FOR CITY – Rees Duncan is released on the counter attack and despite being forced wide by the Pride defenders manages to convert on the angle

82’ – CHANCE FOR PRIDE – Mitchell Bird’s cut-back find Joseph Duckworth. His shot is tipped on to the cross bar by Shane Viitakangas, who collects the rebound

84’ – CHANCE FOR PRIDE – Shane Viitakangas is again up to task to deny a back post header from Corey Lucas

89’ – GOAL FOR CITY - Rees Duncan’s cut-back takes a deflection off the Pride defensive but Morgan Saunders is on hand to crash a rising shot in to the back of the net to seal the result

What They Said

“That was the worst defensive display of NPL football I’ve seen in a game from both sides. I thought every time they went forward they could have scored. I thought every time we went forward we could have scored. I think Grae and I have a bit of work to do on the defensive side of it.” – Graham Harvey, Western Pride FC coach

“When we had the ball we were always dangerous. We were always able to play around and then through. But on the flip side when they had the ball with how they were set up they were very dangerous. Shane (Viitakangas) made some important saves. We then let in some cheap ones which put the game right in the balance but to their credit the boys didn’t drop their head and were calm at half time.” – Grae Piddick, Gold Coast City FC coach

Match Details

PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues 2016 – Round 2
Saturday, March 5
Briggs Road Sporting Complex, Ipswich

Gold Coast City FC 6 defeat Western Pride FC 2

WESTERN PRIDE FC

Goals – Corey LUCAS 41’p, Joseph DUCKWORTH 45’
Yellow cards – none
Red cards – none

Squad – 1. Duncan SHORT, 2. Corey LEGGETT, 3. Will MCFARLANE (14. Gabriel HAWASH 78’), 4. Corey LUCAS, 5. Douglas BROWN, 6. Jesse RIGBY, 7. Hayden MCHENERY, 8. Nielen BROWN , 9. Geoffrey MACINTYRE (12. Jordan LAMBI 60’), 10. Joseph DUCKWORTH, 11. Mitchell BIRD.

Unused - 13. Adam ENDEAN, 18. Shaun CORE, 20. Dylan WILLIAMS

GOLD COAST CITY FC

Goals – Morgan SAUNDERS 12’ 89’; Jarrod KYLE 21’ 25’ 51’; Rees DUNCAN 80’
Yellow cards – Shane VIITAKANGAS 41’, Benjamin LITFIN 48’, Jarrod KYLE 59’
Red Cards – none

Squad – 1. Shane VIITAKANGAS, 2. Matthew JONES, 3. Tim JACKSON, 4. Simon BRADLEY 5. Riley DILLON, 7. Justyn MCKAY, 9. Jarrod KYLE (16. Rees DUNCAN 60’) , 10. Benjamin LITFIN ,  12. Jordan LAMPARD (6. Roman HOFMANN 72’), 18. Daniel DRAGICEVIC (14. Zamin TSLELEPY 82’), 19. Morgan SAUNDERS

Unused - 8. Jason CAMPBELL, 20. Joshua LANGDON