Words: Michael Flynn
Additional Reporting: Mark Guy
Images: Brian Monro/Sport-in-Digital & Ken Coburn

A late strike from substitute Morgan Saunders saw Gold Coast City salvage a dramatic 1-1 draw against Moreton Bay United at Duncan McKenna Field.

Jets took the lead early in the second-half via Jordan Farina before spurning several chances to consolidate their advantage – including a penalty attempt – before Saunder’s point-saving equaliser.

The goal was Saunders’ third of his debut PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues season.

The result marks a second straight draw for City and sees them still without a win at home after three matches this season.

The point also moves Jets into outright second place on the table but increasing the margin behind league-leaders FNQ Heat to three points.

Key Moments

17’ – CHANCE FOR CITY – Jarrod Kyle fires an effort from the edge of the box but sends it wide of the target

20’ – CHANCE FOR JETS – Royce Brownlie looks to deliver Jets an early advantage but can’t keep his effort down as it sails over the crossbar

35’ – CHANCE FOR CITY – Daniel Dragicevic delivers a powerful strike from just inside the penalty area but the strike goes wide of the post

47’ – GOAL FOR JETS – Matthew Byrne’s pass releases Royce Brownlie whose cross is met by a strong headed finish from Jordan Farina

48’ – CHANCE FOR JETS – Royce Brownlie gets through one-on-one with City goalkeeper Shane Viitakangas but the gloveman makes himself large and smothers the attempt

52’ – CHANCE FOR JETS – A close range attempt from Royce Brownlie forces a sharp save from Shane Viitakangas

60’ – CHANCE FOR JETS – Roman Hofmann brings down Jets midfielder Alex Janovsky inside the box, however Jordan Farina sends the ensuing spot-kick high and over the crossbar

79’ – CHANCE FOR JETS – Alex Janovsky threatens from firmly struck a free-kick from 25 yards forcing Shane Viitakangas to tip over the crossbar

86’ – GOAL FOR CITY – Morgan Saunders cuts inside from the left flank and converts with a pin-point finish into the bottom corner from outside the area

What They Said

“Probably the main thing for us is that we conceded a very sloppy goal. It made it difficult for us. We had to try and get back in the game and got lucky with a missed penalty and potentially could have won it at the death. So again it’s been one of those up-and-down games.” – Grae Piddick, Gold Coast City FC coach

“It’s always a hard slog down here. If you said we could have a point before the game, I would take it. But in my opinion we actually dropped two points today. We should’ve won the game. After we took the lead we missed a penalty, missed 3 v 1 and could’ve killed the game. But to Gold Coast’s credit they kept fighting.” – Adam Piddick, Moreton Bay United technical director

Match Details

PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues 2016 – Round 5
Sunday, April 3
Duncan McKenna Field, Gold Coast

Gold Coast City FC 1 draw Moreton Bay United FC 1

City Goals – Morgan SAUNDERS 86’
City Yellow Cards – Jarrod KYLE 28’, Justyn MCKAY 57’, Roman HOFMANN 62’
City Red Cards – none

City Squad – 1. Shane VIITAKANGAS, 3. Tim JACKSON, 4. Drew JESKEY, 5. Riley DILLON, 7. Justyn MCKAY, 8. Roman HOFMANN, 9. Jarrod KYLE (19. Morgan SAUNDERS 73’), 10. Benjamin LITFIN, .11. Nikola MIRKOVIC, 18. Daniel DRAGICEVIC (16. Rees DUNCAN 59’), 21. Jordon LAMPARD (13. Rhys SAUNDERS 62’)

City Unused – 2. Matthew JONES, 20. Joshua LANGDON

Jets Goals – Jordan FARINA 47’
Jets Yellow Cards – Alex JANOVSKY 51’, Jordan FARINA 71’
Jets Red Cards – none

Jets Squad – 1. Matthew STEIN, 2. Reyze KELLY, 3. Scott STEWART, 4. Matthew BYRNE, 5. Raymond SCHULTZ (11. Jackson HALL 34’), 6. Liam PREVITERA, 7. Jordan FARINA, 8. Matthew CAPELO (17. Samuel DICKINSON 78’), 9. Royce BROWNLIE, 10. Joey MASUDA (15. Taiga ISHIKURA 62’), 14. Alex JANOVSKY

Jets Unused – 12. Sebastian KALOS, 20. Ryan ATKINS

Match Officials – Drew NINNES (referee), Tom CULLANE (assistant), Sam OSBORNE (assistant), Chris LONG (fourth)