Words: Steve Pitman
Images: Michele Pitman

Trent Clulow and Luke Marsh scored either side of half-time to help Brisbane Strikers see off a determined Brisbane Roar Youth 2-0 at Perry Park.

Strikers led at the break courtesy of Clulow's close-range strike in the 20th minute, before Marsh pounced on a dropped ball by Andrew Jannese shortly after the restart to double the advantage.

Young Roar pinned Strikers back with a succession of free kicks and corners but struggled to make the most of their openings in slipping to a third defeat in six matches.

Victory moves Strikers back ahead of third-placed Redlands United on goal difference and only a point behind league leaders FNQ Heat.

Key Moments

8' - CHANCE FOR ROAR - Jayden Prasad receives a cutback from the byline and shoots over the target from 10 yards.

19' - GOAL FOR STRIKERS - Trent Clulow blasts home from close range after Fraser Hills won a scrap for possession and crossed from the byline.

28' - CHANCE FOR STRIKERS - Andre Jannese saves Shaun Carlos' stooping header at close range following another Hills cross.

33' - CHANCE FOR ROAR - Dane Ingham pulls the trigger from eighteen yards but Seb Usai tips the ball over his crossbar one-handed.

41' - CHANCE FOR ROAR - Usai this time denies Prasad at his near post after the midfielder wriggled free and shot on the turn.

52’ - GOAL FOR STRIKERS - Jannese spills a lob from Hiroki Omori and Marsh pounces on the scraps to convert with his left foot.

54' - CHANCE FOR ROAR - Nicholas D'Agostino puts a free header wide from six yards from a lofted free kick.

77' - CHANCE FOR ROAR - Jesse Daley's shot from outside the area takes a deflection, but Usai reads it low down to his left.

87' - CHANCE FOR STRIKERS - Jannese gets across to his left to keep out Shaun Carlos' volley.

What They Said

“I think it was a big contrast to the last time we played them. We were better prepared for them this time, set up really well, the coaching stuff got the tactics right. I thought we looked a lot better than them tonight. There was a period there where they might have got on top of us a bit but at the end of the day they didn't create anything because of the two centre-backs and holding midfielders doing such a great job to keep them quiet.” – Seb Usai, Brisbane Strikers FC goalkeeper.

“I don't think we really turned up to start with. I think we did enough to take something from the game but I think that bit of experience ... was telling tonight. It's young players - it's part of their development. We should have been probably a little bit better in front of goal. I thought we were well in the football game against arguably the best team in the league.” – Josh McCloughan, Brisbane Roar FC Youth coach.

Match Details

PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues 2016 – Round 12

Saturday, 28 May
Perry Park, Brisbane

Brisbane Strikers FC – 2 (Trent CLULOW 20' Luke MARSH 52')
Brisbane Roar FC Youth – 0

CLICK HERE for the official Match Centre

Match Officials – Jarred Gillett (referee), Trent Sleeman (assistant), Ben Orwell (assistant), Jacqui Hurford (fourth)