Words: Toby Crockford & Michael Flynn
Images: Chris Simpson

Moreton Bay United’s Premiership defence is officially over after a late Daniel Byrne brace secured Olympic FC a 2-0 win at Wolter Park.

Byrne struck twice in the final minutes in a dramatic close to an otherwise even contest that saw both goalkeepers deny chances at both ends of the pitch.

Olympic’s third straight win lifts them to within two points of the top four as they seek a fourth straight PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland Finals Series appearance.

The result leaves Jets unable to reel in league-leaders FNQ Heat for the regular season Premiership title and, with six points separating them from the top four, in danger of finishing outside the top four and unable to defend last year's Grand Final win.

Key Moments

12’ – CHANCE FOR OLYMPIC – A low shot from Kazuya Ito is blocked by Jets goalkeeper Matthew Stein before Youeil Shol fires the rebound over the crossbar

13’ – CHANCE FOR JETS – Raymond Schultz picks out Alex Janovsky unmarked at the far post but his rising strike is tipped over the crossbar by Olympic goalkeeper Nicholas Mooney

18’ – CHANCE FOR JETS – Jordan Farina’s cross is flicked on invitingly for Taiga Ishikura on the corner of the six-yard box but the Olympic defence is on hand to block the ensuing strike

37’ – CHANCE FOR JETS – Royce Brownlie seemingly controls a cross before firing the ball into the back of the net but play is called back after the referee spots a hand-ball

50’ – CHANCE FOR OLYMPIC – Daniel Byrne delivers a dangerous free-kick from the edge of the area that clips the top of the crossbar before going behind

56’ – CHANCE FOR JETS – Liam Previtera battles past the last defender on a quick break but his shot bobbles fractionally wide of the far post

67’ – CHANCE FOR JETS – Alex Janovsky cuts inside before letting rip with a fierce 25-yard drive but its directed straight at the waiting Mooney

85’ – GOAL FOR OLYMPIC – A scramble in the Jets goalmouth following a cross sees the ball fall at the feet of Byrne and the Olympic veteran delivers a clinical finish to put his side ahead

90+3’ – GOAL FOR OLYMPIC – A quick break from Olympic ends with Byrne delivering an inch perfect finish across Stein and in off the far post to seal the win

What They Said

"It just goes to show we can win up to the 95th minute. It was fifty-fifty for both sides all the way. The last ten minutes – with the changes we made – made a big difference for us. (We were) able to get ball in to the last third more and become a lot more dangerous." – Terry Kirkham, Olympic FC coach

"At the end of the day they were better than us. For some boys there, they have to take a good hard look at themselves. It's just not good enough and it's the same old story. Obviously very, very disappointed and that's probably us done (for the season)." – Adam Piddick, Moreton Bay United FC technical director

Match Details

PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues 2016 – Round 18

Saturday, July 22
Wolter Park, Moreton Bay

Moreton Bay United FC – 0
Olympic FC – 2 (Daniel BYRNE 85’ 90+3’)

Match Centre – http://bit.ly/29RgAwd

Match Officials – Trent SLEEMAN (referee), Michael BOZHOFF (assistant), Isidro Terol CRESPO (assistant), Anton SHCHETININ (fourth)