Words: Michael Flynn
Additional Reporting & Images: Paul Smith

Benjamin Litfin and Rhys Saunders both struck doubles as a rampant Gold Coast City notched a 5-0 win over SWQ Thunder at Clive Berghofer Stadium.

The third-placed City were rarely troubled as they posted a fourth clean sheet to stay in touch with the league leaders – storming to a three goal half-time advantage.

The visitors wrapped up the result in the second half as Litfin and Saunders’ hauls were complemented by Daniel Dragicevic extending City's record against Thunder to seven straight wins in all competitions since 2014.

Thunder’s woes were furthered prior to the start of the second half when coach Chris McLeod was dismissed from the technical area following an altercation with match officials.

The result leaves Thunder languishing in tenth place in the standings, with the Toowoomba based club needing to win their four remaining matches – and rely on other results – to snag a maiden finals appearance this season.

Key Moments

8’ – GOAL FOR CITY – Rhys Saunders delivers a pin-point free-kick over the Thunder wall and beyond the reach of Thunder goalkeeper Luke BOrean into the top corner

15’ – GOAL FOR CITY – Despite heavy traffic, Benjamin Litfin works his way past three Thunder defenders before converting with a powerful finish

31’ – GOAL FOR CITY – Mitchell Tanskey brings down Saunders inside the penalty area to concede a penalty enabling Litfin to secure a three goal advantage at the break with the ensuing spot-kick

48’ – CHANCE FOR THUNDER – Hong Song Im directs an indirect free-kick over the City wall from twenty yards out but it doesn’t dip in time and goes over the crossbar

70’ – GOAL FOR CITY – A scramble inside the penalty area isn’t dealt with by the Thunder defence enabling Nikola Mirkovic to tee the ball up for Daniel Dragicevic to tuck home the finish and seal the win

84’ – GOAL FOR CITY – Saunders intercepts the ball 30 yards out from goal and, seeing Borean off his line, delivers lobbed finish to seal his brace

89’ – CHANCE FOR THUNDER – Jackson Haussler pulls the trigger from the edge of corner of the penalty area but his shot fizzes past the far post

What They Said

“In the first half we were completely outplayed. In the second half the boys battled hard and we had a couple of chances in front of goal that we didn’t put away. They put there’s away and that was the difference on the night.“ – Matt Erdis, SWQ Thunder FC assistant coach

“It was a tough one for us today because we had a number of players unavailable. Initially I thought it was a bit of a danger travelling up here. South West Queensland have taken some big scalps already this year. So I was a little nervous with all the changes and the new players coming in but at the end of the day they got the job done and we blooded a few players who have been playing well in the youth (team).“ – Grae Piddick, Gold Coast City FC coach

Match Details

PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues 2016 – Round 18

Saturday, July 23
Clive Berghofer Stadium, Toowoomba

SWQ Thunder FC - 0
Gold Coast City FC – 5 (Rhys SAUNDERS 8’ 84’, Benjamin LITFIN 15’ p.31’, Daniel DRAGICEVIC 70’)

Match Centre – http://bit.ly/29PJT5L