Words: Sam Flanagan
Additional Reporting: Steve Pitman
Images: Michele Pitman

A double to Luke Marsh has seen Brisbane Strikers account for a 10-man Northern Fury 3-0 in their clash at Perry Park.

The away side were able to stifle the Strikers’ attacking rhythm throughout the first half and looked to be in the game at halftime despite being a goal down.  

However, Fury’s’ hopes of a fightback were quashed when Joshua Eden was dismissed prior to the hour – Strikers marking the pay with late goals to Marsh and club leading goalscorer Rhys Meredith.

The victory extends Strikers run of form to six wins in their last seven PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues outings – reclaiming third spot and five points behind league leaders FNQ Heat.

Fury remain winless in the campaign as their club record losing streak extends to ten straight league matches.

Key Moments

22' – CHANCE FOR STRIKERS - A great cross from Hiroki Omori tees up a header from Trent Clulow that grazes Fury's crossbar

23' – CHANCE FOR STRIKERS - Another cross-field ball from Omori creates a chance for Fraser Hills, who shoots across goal and wide of the post

29' – GOAL FOR STRIKERS – Hills unleashes a shot that Luke McDonald saves, but the keeper is unable to stop Hills from re-gathering the scraps as he squares to Luke Marsh and the youngster slots it home

 40' – CHANCE FOR STRIKERS – Omori neatly controls a lofted through ball but the Japanese fullback's shot is saved by McDonald

53’ – RED CARD FOR FURY - Joshua Eden brings down Sam Knight late and the ref deems it to be a send off offense

56’  - CHANCE FOR STRIKERS – Rees Duncan lashes in a good low cross that finds Marsh, who fires a shot with his left boot but is sharply saved by McDonald down to his right.

68’ – CHANCE FOR FURY - Matthew Richards is played through but his first touch lets him down as Strikers goalkeeper Seb Usai comes out and smothers the ball at the Richards’ feet.

77’ – GOAL FOR STRIKERS- Substitute Rhys Meredith’s inside pass plays Marsh through one-on-one but McDonald is able to save Marsh’s’ first effort before the striker regains possession and puts the ball into an empty net for his maiden double.

90+3’ – GOAL FOR STRIKERS - Jonti Richter gets away from Fury’s defenders down the right flank before crossing low to Rhys Meredith who sweeps his shot past McDonald to ice the game for his team.

What They Said

“There is a lot of positives we can take out of that game; we had six NQ schoolboys on that team which is great and gives me great heart that we will be working with them in the future. What I was disappointed in was the final third; we didn’t penetrate or put killer balls through as much as I was hoping for.” – Ian Ferguson, Northern Fury coach.

“I’m really pleased for Luke Marsh to get two goals, he’s worked really hard all pre season and scored a lot of goals for us over the years in the junior ranks. I believe we’ve got a big goal scorer on our hands and it’s just a case of nurturing him this year because he’s definitely going to score a lot of goals.” – Kevin A’herne-Evans, Brisbane Strikers coach.

Match Details

PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues 2016 – Round 10

Saturday May 14
Perry Park, Brisbane

Brisbane Strikers FC -  3 (Luke Marsh 29’ 77’, Rhys Meredith 93’)

Northern Fury FC -  0

CLICK HERE for the official Match Centre

Match Officials - David Walsh (referee), Joey Lee (assistant), Isidro Terol Crespo (assistant), Ryan Mooney (fourth)