Words: Michael Flynn
Additional Reporting: Simon Smale
Images: Scott Norrish

League leaders FNQ Heat are six points clear atop the PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues table after a gritty 1-0 win over City at Corporate Travel Management Stadium

A volleyed goal from Ari Isman in the first half - his first ever league goal for Heat - ultimately separated the sides in a contest that saw both teams fail to make the most of their chances.

In addition to their second straight defeat, the match ended on a sour note for City with Kai Smith dismissed for a second bookable offence minutes from full-time - their third red card in two matches.

The result also extends Heat’s unbeaten start to the campaign to six games and continues their perfect record in the capital in 2016.

Key Moments

8’ – CHANCE FOR HEAT – Kieran Sanders gets through one-on-one with City goalkeeper Timothy Allen but the gloveman makes a stunning save to deny the Heat attacker

18’ – CHANCE FOR CITY – Antonio Murray outmuscles Shaun Owens to fashion a shot but sees the effort parried away by Heat goalkeeper Kevin Ward before Jason Park fails to convert on the follow-up

21’ – CHANCE FOR CITY – A free-kick from Antonio Murray is tipped over the crossbar by Kevin Ward

27’ – CHANCE FOR CITY – Antonio Murray measures a pin point through ball to Jason Park who is bravely smothered by Kevin Ward

29’ – CHANCE FOR HEAT – Kieran Sanders chances his arm from 30 yards with a pile driver that whistles just past the left post

38’ – GOAL FOR HEAT – Ari Isman lurks at the far post and hits a strong volleyed finish from a Jamie Gosling free-kick to open accounts

40’ – CHANCE FOR HEAT – Timothy Allen makes a stunning save with his legs to deny Darcy McCormack through on goal

45’ – CHANCE FOR HEAT - Jamie Carroll strikes the post with a quickly taken free kick that catches City’s defences napping

82’ – RED CARD CITY – City bundle the ball into the back of the net from a corner but referee Alex King spots an infringement and issues a second yellow card to Kai Smith

What They Said

“That was our biggest test but to be fair we always knew it was going to be. We prepared for it and we were up against a tough side with some very good players. I think a few of our players have learned some good lessons there. We’ve maybe been a bit over confident and rode our luck a little bit.“ – Tim Campbell, FNQ FC Heat coach

Match Details
PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues 2016 – Round 6
Saturday, April 9
Corporate Travel Management Stadium, Brisbane

FNQ FC Heat 1 defeat Brisbane City FC 0

City Goals – none
City Yellow Cards – Kai SMITH 65’
City Red Cards – Kai SMITH 82’

City Squad – 1. Timothy ALLEN, 3. Luca JANNESE, 4. Kai SMITH, 5. Jayke CUSCHIERI, 6. Luke PAVLOU, 7. Nathan BIRD, 9. Antonio MURRAY, 13. Jason PARK, 15. Kai BARNES, 17. Samuel SIBATUARA (16. Jean-Mike JABO 78’), 19. Mitchell HORE (11. Nicholas BUCKLEY 64’)
City Unused – 10. Scot COULSON, 12. Joshua CRONK, 20. James HARKIN

Heat Goals – Ari ISMAN 38’
Heat Yellow Cards – Kieran SANDERS 87’
Heat Red Cards – none

Heat Squad – 1. Kevin WARD< 2. Shaun OWENS, 3. Shimon WATANABE, 4. Charlie BEVERLEY, 5. Ari ISMAN, 6. Jamie GOSLING, 7. Joshua PIN, 9. Jamie CARROLL (12. Cameron NUCIFORA 92’), 10. Kieran SANDERS (13. Mqondisi NKIWANE 89’), 11. Darcy MCCORMACK (8. Christopher O’HARE 78’), 16. Bronson KOPPEN
Heat Unused – 20. Joshua WILSON

Match Officials – Alex KING (referee), Patrick DWYER (assistant), Isidro Terol (assistant), Benjamin ORWELL (fourth)