Words: Michael Flynn
Additional Reporting: Jennifer Thompson
Images: FNQ FC Heat

FNQ Heat remain top of the table heading into the Easter break despite being held to a 1-1 draw by Gold Coast City at Barlow Park.

After a goalless first-half Jarrod Kyle struck his fourth goal of the campaign to edge City ahead, however Heat captain Jamie Carroll levelled terms only minutes later to see the points shared.

The result leaves Heat as the only undefeated side in the competition after four rounds and with a one point advantage atop the standings.

It also sees City retain their hold on fifth place and extends their unbeaten run to three games.

Key Moments

10’ – CHANCE FOR HEAT – Christopher O’Hare threatens to open accounts early but sees his shot denied by the crossbar

13’ – CHANCE FOR GCC – Roman Hofmann with two bites of the cherry for the visitors but is foiled by a pair of solid saves from Heat goalkeeper Kevin Ward

36’ – CHANCE FOR HEAT – Kieran Sanders chances his hand from long range but sees his effort skim the crossbar

68’ – GOAL FOR GCC – Jarrod Kyle jinks his way through the Heat defences and nestles a low strike into the back of the net to open accounts

72’ – GOAL FOR HEAT – Jamie Carroll levels terms after being set-up by a clever ball from Kieran Sanders

90+1’ – CHANCE FOR HEAT – A chance for the hosts to take all three points at the death but Jamie Carroll sends his effort narrowly wide of the target

What They Said

“We do lots of different training drills and one of them is that we’re one-nil down with fifteen minutes to go. We prepare for these sorts of things but the reaction that the boys showed and the drive to get that goal back, it makes you want to work with teams like that and it’s why I came back into football.“ – Tim Campbell, FNQ FC Heat coach

“It’s hard to come here. At this time of year the conditions are pretty tough and I think my boys did pretty well considering. So we’ll take the point and we’ll take positives out of it. We could’ve won the game but we could’ve lost the game as well – it was one of those that could’ve gone either way but it’s something for us to build on.“ – Grae Piddick, Gold Coast City FC coach

Match Details

PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues 2016 – Round 4
Saturday, 19 March
Barlow Park, Cairns

FNQ FC Heat 1 draw Gold Coast City FC 1

FNQ FC Heat

Goals – Jamie CARROLL 73’
Yellow cards – Ari ISMAN 58’, Bronson KOPPEN 82’, Hamie CARROLL 83’
Red cards – none

Squad –  1. Kevin WARD, 2. Shaun OWENS, 3. Shimon WATANABE, 5. Ari ISMAN, 6. Jamie GOSLING, 7. Joshua PIN (13. Mqondisi NKIWANE 81’), 8. Christopher O’HARE (12. Cameron NUCIFORA 76’), 9. Jamie CARROLL, 10. Kieran SANDERS, 11. Darcy MCCORMACK, 16. Bronson KOPPEN

Unused- 4. Charlie BEVERLEY, 19. Liam WHITE, 20. Joshua WILSON

Gold Coast City FC

Goals – Jarrod KYLE 68’
Yellow cards – Matthew JONES 74’
Red cards – none

Squad – 2. Matthew JONES, 3. Tim JACKSON, 4. Drew JESKEY, 7. Justyn MCKAY, 8. Roman HOFMANN, 9. Jarrod KYLE (16. Rees DUNCAN 73’), 10. Benjamin LITFIN (19. Morgan SAUNDERS 80’), 11. Nikola MIRKOVIC, 18. Daniel DRAGICEVIC, 20. Joshua LANGDON, 21. Jordan LAMPARD (6. Jason CAMPBELL 64’)

Unused – 1. Shane VIITAKANGAS, 5. Riley DILLON

Match officials – Rebecca DURCAU (referee), Michael BOZHOFF (assistant), Wayne KUYPERS (assistant), Chris DAWSON (fourth)