Words: Michael Flynn
Images: Chris Simpson

A lone strike from skipper Justyn McKay has fortified Gold Coast City’s finals push after his side edged Moreton Bay United 1-0 at Wolter Park.

McKay’s second goal of the season proved decisive for the visitors, with neither side able to capitalise on a number of chances in the second half.

The result marks a second straight clean sheet for City in addition to a second consecutive win - lifting the club into third place in the standings ahead of Redlands United, who close out the round on Sunday.

For Jets the result sees them remain in seventh on the table but increases the distance to the top four to four points.

Key Moments

3’ – CHANCE FOR CITY - Lachlan Reus sees Jets goalkeeper Matt Stein off his line and tries a 40-yard lob, which hits the top of the net.

15’ – CHANCE FOR JETS - Jordan Farina intercepts a pass and then supplies Royce Bownlie 18 yards out but his chip toward to the top corner is tipped wide by City goalkeeper Shane Viitakangas

24’ – GOAL FOR CITY - A neat four-man build-up finds Justyn McKay unmarked on the angle 15 yards out and his sweeping right foot shot beats the outstretched Stein

31’ – CHANCE FOR CITY - Rhys Saunders latches on to a through ball and lobs the ball over Stein, but Reyze Kelly is back to clear off the line

55’ – CHANCE FOR CITY - A quick break and cross finds Saunders free near the penalty spot, but his fierce shot is deflected wide by Stein

60’ – CHANCE FOR JETS - Brownlie is floored on the edge of the area and Alex Janovsky’s subsequent free kick dips over the wall but is fractionally wide of the far post

62’ – CHANCE FOR JETS - Scott Stewart climbs high to power a header towards the top corner but Viitakangas tips it wide

68’ - CHANCE FOR CITY - Jets defender Matt Byrne makes a brilliant last-ditch block to deny Saunders on the six-yard line

76’ – CHANCE FOR CITY - Saunders slides in at the far post following a corner but can only steer the ball into the side netting

 

What They Said

“It came down to a fifty-fifty battle today and the conditions didn’t really suit our way of playing football from the back. At the end of the day we were second best to a lot of fifty-fifties and in each others’ eighteen yard box we simply weren’t good enough.“ – Matthew Capelo, Moreton Bay United FC midfielder

“Two clean sheets in a row is really pleasing. The goal that we scored was a great team goal. So from that point of view I’m very happy. In the end I think we deserved because we got the goal and were very unlucky with a couple of other chances. We had to defend a lot second half and really stuck to the task.“ – Grae Piddick, Gold Coast City FC coach

Match Details

PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues 2016 – Round 16

Saturday, July 2
Wolter Park, Moreton Bay

Moreton Bay United FC – 0
Gold Coast City FC – 1 (Justyn MCKAY 24’)

Match Centre – http://bit.ly/294Py2N

Match Officials – Adam KERSEY (referee), Joey LEE (assistant), James SHERRY (assistant), Trent SLEEMAN (fourth)