Words: Michael Flynn
Additional Reporting: Rob Morris
Images: Gold Coast City FC

Benjamin Litfin delivered four goals as Gold Coast City scored their first home win of the season – thrashing SWQ Thunder 7-1 at Duncan McKenna Field.

Litfin opened his haul with two quick goals near the quarter hour before Mustafa Jafari snagged a goal back for the visitors.

However, from thereon City dominated as Rhys Saunders capped a strong attacking performance with goals either side of half-time, while Roman Hofmann also chimed in from the penalty spot.

The results lifts City into the top four for the first time since Round 2 and extends their unbeaten run in the league to six games.

Thunder are yet to beat City in seven previous meetings across both PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues and Westfield FFA Cup and also leaves the Toowoomba club still searching for their first away win of the current league campaign.

The win is also the biggest by any PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues club in Queensland this season.

Key Moments

3’ – CHANCE FOR THUNDER – Majok Piok gets a sight on goal but sends his shot over the crossbar

6’ – CHANCE FOR CITY – Rhys Saunders delivers a cutback ball to Jarrod Kyle but the striker pushes it wide from close range

13’ – GOAL FOR CITY – A dazzling run from Rhys Saunders draws the Thunder defence before slipping a ball in for Benjamin Litfin to open his account

15’ – GOAL FOR CITY – Thunder goalkeeper Luke Borean makes two solid parried saves to deny Rhys Saunders and then Jarrod Kyle but Benjamin Litfin puts his boot through it at the third attempt to double the advantage

17’ – GOAL FOR THUNDER – A communication breakdown between Tim Jackson and Shane Viitakangas opens the door for Mustafa Jafari following a long-ball and the Thunder striker takes full advantage to pull a goal back

43’ – GOAL FOR CITY – Benjamin Litfin turns provider as he dribbles past three defenders before playing in Rhys Saunders, who converts from close range

44’ – GOAL FOR CITY – Thunder turn over possession quickly from the restart and Benjamin Litfin is on hand to take advantage and round out his hat-trick

46’ – GOAL FOR CITY – Straight from the kick-off Rhys Saunders dribbles into the box before being brought down, allowing Roman Hofmann to add another with the ensuing penalty kick

51’ – GOAL FOR CITY – Lachlan Rues’ ball over the top unleashes Rhys Saunders who then delivers a deft finish over the top of the advancing Luke Broean

54’ – CHANCE FOR CITY – Daniel Dragicevic charges into the penalty area and pulls the trigger but his shot his denied by the post

63’ – CHANCE FOR CITY – The hosts whip in a corner and Jarrod Kyle meets it with a solid header but it cannons into the crossbar

87’ – GOAL FOR CITY – Nikola Mirkovic’s cross receives the slightest of touches off the head of Benjamin Litfin to get the better of Luke Borean and rounds out the midfielders four goal haul

What They Said

“We really looked at what (Thunder) do well – which is them countering in numbers with direct balls. We got stung with one tonight but I thought if we defended that well then I thought we could open them up with our movement. And, of course, Benny Liftin was outstanding at that tonight.“ – Grae Piddick, Gold Coast City FC coach

“We’re all a little bit disappointed. The score line is not Thunder and not what we have done in the past six weeks. We have to move on and put it behind us. Sometimes you have to lose to learn and we certainly learned a lot tonight.“ – Chris McLeod, SWQ Thunder FC coach

Match Details

PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues 2016 – Round 7

Saturday, April 16
Duncan McKenna Field, Gold Coast

Gold Coast City FC 7 defeat SWQ Thunder FC 1

City Goals – Benjamin LITFIN 13’ 15’ 44’ 89’, Rhys SAUNDERS 43’ 51’, Roman HOFMANN 46’p
City Yellow Cards – Rhys SAUNDERS 65’, Jordon LAMPARD 69’
City Red Cards – none

City Squad – 1. Shane VIITAKANGAS, 3. Tim JACKSON, 4. Drew JESKEY, 7. Justyn MCKAY (11. Nikola MIRKOVIC 58’), 8. Roman HOFMANN, 9. Jarrod KYLE, 10. Benjamin LITFIN, 12. Lochlan REUS, 13. Rhys SAUNDERS (16. Rees DUNCAN 70’), 18. Daniel DRAGICEVIC (6. Jason CAMPBELL 58’), 21. Jordon LAMPARD
City Unused – 2. Matthew JONES, 15. Eoghan MURPHY

Thunder Goals – Mustafa JAFARI 18’
Thunder Yellow Cards – Keagan SHERIDAN 31’, Majok PIOK 32’, Silde CANDA 34’, Jacob BIGBY 39’
Thunder Red Cards –

Thunder Squad - 1. Luke BOREAN, 3. Keagan SHERIDAN, 4. Benjamin BARROWCLIFT, 6. Jackson HAUSSLER, 7. Thomas FANNING, 8. Lachlan ATKINSON, 10. Mustafa JAFARI, 11. Majok PIOK (14. Anthony GRANT 40’), 13. Silde CANDA (19. Jackson FRANKE 58’), 16. Nykodah SMITH (12. Kimba KIBOMBO 56’), 18. Jacob BIGBY,
Thunder Unused – 15. Kevin DOYLE, 20. Jace HUDSON

Match Officials – Trent SLEEMAN (referee), Noah REYNOLDS (assistant), Danielle POTTICARY (assistant), Renae COGHILL (fourth)