Litfin Brace Snuffs Out Fire
Words: Blake Birt & Michael Flynn
Additional Reporting: Mark Guy
Gold Coast City FC have returned to the top four after Benjamin Litfin's double secured a 2-1 victory over Sunshine Coast FC at Duncan McKenna Field.
Litfin struck once in each half for the hosts to lift his season’s tally to an equal league best nine goals.
Fire’s Alexander Warrilow sought to bring Fire back into the contest with a stunning long range effort in reply, however it came too late for the visitors to wrest a share of the points.
The win continues a stunning ten match unbeaten run for City, while Fire's second straight defeat sees their threatened mid-season renaissance continue to stutter.
Key Moments
5' - CHANCE FOR FIRE - Shane Viitakangas reacts well to tip a venomous Jordan Loy shot onto the crossbar
21' - GOAL FOR CITY - Riley Dillon overlaps on the right before delivering a cross for the sliding Benjamin Litfin to convert
47' - CHANCE FOR CITY - Justyn Mckay misses wide right from inside the six-yard box
57' - GOAL FOR CITY - Morgan Saunders beats the offside trap before threading a ball to Litfin, who calmly slots the chance past the keeper
61' - CHANCE FOR CITY - Jarrod Kyle is denied by Samuel Nickolls after being picked out by Nikola Mirkovic's cross
65' - CHANCE FOR FIRE - Alexander Warrilow weaves past Martin Vasquez but his goal bound shot is deflected wide
74' - CHANCE FOR CITY - Litfin lays off for Riley Dillon whose blasted effort is tipped over by Nickolls
89' - GOAL FOR FIRE - Warrilow provides a consolation goal with a stunning long range strike
What They Said
"I thought we were in complete control of the game which was pleasing. We had to deal with a lot of long balls, it's not something we're used to but I thought we generally dealt with that well. If we want to beat the top sides we have to make sure we do it for the whole 90 but overall I was very pleased." - Grae Piddick, Gold Coast City FC Coach
"Gold Coast were superb in the first half, they were far better than us, [in the second half] we got to grips with it and made it an even contest. We're trying to instill positivity in our players but if they don't listen to what we've got to do, other teams are technically far better than us." - Sam Saif, Sunshine Coast FC Coach
Match Details
PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues 2016 – Round 11
Sunday, May 22
Duncan McKenna Field, Gold Coast
Gold Coast City FC– 2 (Ben LITFIN 21' 57')
Sunshine Coast FC – 1 (Alexander WARRILOW 89')
CLICK HERE for the official Match Centre
Match Officials – Lara Lee (referee), Paul Edwards (assistant), Matt Huston, (assistant)
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