Words: Sam Flanagan
Additional Reporting: Garry McKenzie
Image: Gordon Reeves Whitehead Studio

A three goal second half burst has seen Brisbane Strikers brush aside Western Pride 4-0 at Briggs Road Sports Complex.

Golden Boot leader Rhys Meredith continued his early season scoring form to deliver the visitors a single goal lead at the end of a cagey first half.

However, Strikers found their groove in the second stanza, seeing out the result as Trent Clulow and Fraser Hills added to an own goal.

The win is Strikers fifth in succession and marks a fourth straight clean sheet for the capital city club, cementing their hold on third in the table.

For Pride, the result marks a third straight loss and sees them languishing third from bottom.

Key Moments

9’ – CHANCE FOR STRIKERS - Trent Clulow fires a low shot from beyond the area that forces Pride goalkeeper Duncan Short to dive and gather.

20’ – GOAL FOR STRIKERS – Rhys Meredith receives a pass on the right hand side of the box, rides two tackles and cannily picks out the far bottom corner to open accounts

48’ –CHANCE FOR STRIKERS -  A cross finds Shelford Dais in promising position as he turns on a dime but his effort on goal sails over the crossbar

51’ - GOAL FOR STRIKERS – Clulow finds space on the left flank before whipping one in that sees Hills stoop and head into the back of the net

53’ – CHANCE FOR PRIDE – Mitchell Bird breaks free down the right and delivers a long cross to Geoffrey MacIntyre, who sends his volleyed shot into the left upright

58’ - GOAL FOR STRIKERS – Pride defender Joel Haack misjudges Sam Knight’s cross and the ball trickles beyond the reach of Short and across the line for an own goal

75’ - GOAL FOR STRIKERS – Dais delivers a pinpoint cross from the right for Clulow, who duly smashes home from point blank range to seal the deal for the away side

What They Said

“First half we were fairly even but they were a little bit more ruthless at both ends of the field. And in the second half they controlled the game; they shifted the ball really well and I don’t think we coped with that.” - Graham Harvey, Western Pride Coach

“We spoke about nullifying our mistakes (at halftime) when in possession. There were a few turnovers there that for our standards weren’t good enough; we patched that up and got into some good areas and finished some good goals.” - Michael Angus, Brisbane Strikers Captain

Match Details

PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues 2016 - Round 8

Saturday, April 23
Briggs Road Sporting Complex

Western Pride FC - 0
Brisbane Strikers FC - 4 (Rhys MEREDITH 20', Fraser HILLS 51',  own goal 58', Trent CLULOW 75')

Further details in the official Match Centre