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

Second half goals to Benjamin Litfin and Antonio Murray cancelled each other out as Brisbane City and Gold Coast City drew 1-1 at Corporate Travel Management Stadium.

Following a scoreless and often physical first-half littered with strong challenges, Litfin opened accounts shortly after the hour for the visitors after being teed-up by Jarrod Kyle.

However, it proved short-lived as Murray equalised just minutes later with a stunning free-kick to the delight of the home crowd.

The arm-wrestle continued until the close, with neither side able to fashion a clear cut chance to secure the full complement of points.

The result marks a seventh straight match without defeat for Gold Coast City, who remain ahead of Brisbane City on goal difference in mid-table.

Both sides now face a quick turnaround ahead of their opening home ties in the Westfield FFA Cup midweek.

Key Moments

1’ – CHANCE FOR CITY – Kai Smith advances into the penalty area and takes a tumble but the home side’s appeals for a penalty go unheeded

6’ – CHANCE FOR GCC – Benjamin Litfin powers a header towards goal but City goalkeeper Timothy Allen is able to tip over the bar

34’ – CHANCE FOR GCC – Litfin bears down on goal but is foiled by a well-timed last ditch tackle by Smith

44’ – CHANCE FOR GCC - Awkwardly bouncing back pass from Mathew Biggins causes nervous moments for Allen in the City goal but the shot-stopper stretches to clear the danger

48’ – CHANCE FOR CITY - Jason Park crosses for Antonio Murray who scrambles the ball across the line, but it’s all for nought as the play is called back for offside

56’ – CHANCE FOR GCC - Jarrod Kyle breaks into the box with two players in support and opts to back himself but misses the target

58’ – CHANCE FOR CITY – Mitchell Hore chances his arm from outside the box but it skims over the crossbar

64’ – CHANCE FOR GCC – Kyle plays Rhys Saunders  in one on one with Allen but the shot slides wide of the post

66’ – GOAL FOR GCC – Kyle catches out the City defence and squares for Litfin who turns the ball into an empty net from close range

69’ – GOAL FOR CITY – Antonio Murray curls a pin-point free-kick over the wall and into the left hand corner of the goal

77’ – CHANCE FOR CITY – A floating corner from Jason Park is prevented from going straight in resulting in a goalmouth scramble before GCC eventually clear

What They Said

“Once we actually matched them aggressively we got on top of them. I was happy with that because sometimes when you play football you can knock the ball around all you want, but when you got blokes a little bit quicker than you sometimes you just got to fight with them and match them with competitiveness. “ – John Kosmina, Brisbane City FC coach

“It was probably the most intense game we have played so far. Both teams were really up for it on a nice side field and the weather was perfect, so it made for a good intensity game.“ – Grae Piddick, Gold Coast City FC coach

Match Details

PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues 2016 – Round 8

Saturday, April 23
Corporate Travel Management Stadium, Brisbane

Brisbane City FC – 1 (Antonio MURRAY 69’)
Gold Coast City FC – 1 (Benjamin LITFIN 66’)

Further details in the official Match Centre

Referee: Alex KING
Assistant: James SHERRY
Assistant: Vicky CLARK
Fourth: Marcus AUSTIN