Words: Michael Flynn
Additional Reporting & Images: Paul Smith

Westfield FFA Cup glory must wait at least one more year for SWQ Thunder after they were eliminated 5-3 by Surfers Paradise Apollo at Lex Bell Oval.

After conceding twice in the opening stages Thunder mounted a stirring fightback via goals from Mustafa Jafari and Nykodah Smith to draw level early in the second half.

However, two further goals for Apollo either side of the hour mark put paid to Thunder's Westfield FFA Cup aspirations for 2016.

Striker Lyndon Dykes, who moved to Apollo from Thunder’s league rivals Gold Coast City earlier in the season, did the bulk of the damage for the hosts with a hat-trick, while Wade Russell and Burcin Yorulmas also chimed in.

The result marks the second straight year Thunder have been eliminated at the Preliminary Round 6 stage of the tournament and extends their record of never winning a competitive match on the Gold Coast.

Apollo, who contest the third-tier BLK Premier League, are now just one win away from the national Round of 32 and will host the winner of Sunday’s Sunshine Coast FC and United Park Eagles clash on the Sunshine Coast in the next round.

Thunder are Apollo’s second PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues scalp in the Westfield FFA Cup this year after eliminating Gold Coast City in the previous round.

Key Moments

6’ – GOAL FOR APOLLO – Lachlan Atkinson fouls an Apollo player challenging for a header inside the penalty area enabling Lyndon Dykes to open accounts with a firmly struck effort from the ensuing penalty kick

7’ – CHANCE FOR APOLLO – Dykes rises strongly to meet a corner kick but his header goes wide of the post

17’ – GOAL FOR APOLLO – Following some sharp build-up, Wade Russell heads home at the back post from a Davide Landoni cross to double the host’s advantage

25’ – GOAL FOR THUNDER – Mustafa Jafari’s ball from the edge of the area is fumbled by Apollo goalkeeper Faider Royer-Metia and dribbles across the goal line

48’ – GOAL FOR THUNDER – Thomas Fanning bombs down the left before squaring the ball into Nykodah Smith who smashes home the finish

56’ – GOAL FOR APOLLO – Bruno Rodriguez delivers a pin-point ball for Dykes in front of goal with the striker’s header getting the better of diving Thunder goalkeeper Luke Borean

67’ – GOAL FOR APOLLO – Dykes picks his spot from outside the penalty area and his skimming finish is beyond the reach of Borean

80’ – GOAL FOR THUNDER – A corner from Jafari falls to an unmarked Kimba Kibombo on the back post who tucks it away on the turn

90+1’ – GOAL FOR APOLLO – A long ball bounces above Borean and Burcin Yorulmas takes advantage by heading it home to seal the result despite the Thunder’s protests that Borean was impeded

Match Details

Westfield FFA Cup 2016 – Preliminary Round 6

Saturday, May 7
Lex Bell Oval, Gold Coast

Surfers Paradise Apollo SC – 5 (Lyndon DYKES 6’p 56’ 67’, Wade RUSSELL 17’, Burcin YORULMAS 90+1’)
SWQ Thunder FC – 3 (Mustafa JAFARI 25’, Nykodah SMITH 48’, Kimba KIBOMBO 80’)

CLICK HERE for the official Match Centre

Match Officials – Adam KERSEY (referee), Sam OSBORNE (assistant), Tom CULLANE (assistant)