Words: Michael Flynn
Additional Reporting & Images: Sam Attwood

A goal in each half has kept Brisbane Strikers firmly in the Premiership hunt – and dealt a blow to Sunshine Coast FC’s post-season ambitions – following 2-0 win at Sunshine Coast Stadium.

Rhys Meredith opened accounts midway through the opening stanza for the visitors before Trent Clulow wrapped up the result prior to the hour to end Fire’s run of three straight wins.

After being off the pace early, Fire battled back into the contest but were unable to capitalise on a host of second-half chances.

The result keeps Strikers within a point of league-leaders FNQ Heat with four matches remaining in the home-and-away season – with the two sides due to meet in a fortnight’s time.

Fire remain eighth on the table and six points adrift of fourth place as they seek a first finals appearance since 2013.

Key Moments

4’ – CHANCE FOR STRIKERS – An early attempt from Rhys Meredith from the edge of the area is parried away by Fire goalkeeper Samuel Nickolls before Grant De Chastel clears the danger

18’ – GOAL FOR STRIKERS – Meredith gets on the end of a long-ball down the flank before delivering an inch-perfect finish across Nickolls that goes in off the post

19’ – CHANCE FOR STRIKERS – Fraser Hills bursts onto a through-ball and bears down on goal but his shot can only find the side-netting

26’ – CHANCE FOR STRIKERS – Meredith again threatens after being played through but this time his shot from 12 yards cannons off the post

38’ – CHANCE FOR FIRE – Jeremy Stewart fashions a strike from the edge of the penalty area but it’s saved by Striker goalkeeper Michael Weier

54’ – CHANCE FOR FIRE – De Chastel looks to get Fire back on level terms but his shot across Weier strikes the upright

56’ – GOAL FOR STRIKERS – Trent Clulow makes a long run and edges inside the penalty area before delivering the finish to double Strikers’ advantage

74’ – CHANCE FOR FIRE – Kobe Fuller eyes Weier off his line and attempts a chipped from 18 yards out but it goes narrowly wide of the target

76’ – CHANCE FOR FIRE – Stewart delivers a glancing attempt from Alexander Warrilow’s free-kick but Weier is up to task to parry it away

82’ – CHANCE FOR STRIKERS – Hiroki Omori cuts back from the byline to Jonathon Richter but Paul Mikula delivers a timely block to deny to chance

What They Said

“We’ve played probably the best side in the league – that we’ve played anyway based on that performance. In five months we’ve come from everybody’s tip to be last to giving them a run for their money. We’ve come a long way and we aren’t far away from competing with sides like that. They are the richest club probably in Queensland.“ - Sam Saif, Sunshine Coast FC coach

“We knew it was going to be a real tough game and they’ve improved a lot as the season’s gone on. To come here, keep a clean sheet and go away with a couple of goals; we’ve got a big game coming up this week in the FFA Cup, so once we got that second goal in we could start to focus towards that and start resting a couple in that last ten to fifteen minutes. But to their credit (Fire) never gave up.“ – Kevin A’herne-Evans, Brisbane Strikers FC coach

Match Details

PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues 2016 – Round 18

Sunday, July 24
Sunshine Coast Stadium, Sunshine Coast

Sunshine Coast FC - 0
Brisbane Strikers FC – 2 (Rhys Meredith 18’, Trent CLULOW 56’)

Match Centre – http://bit.ly/2adcQXA

Match Officials – Rachel MITCHENSON (referee), Jay HUDSON (assistant), Noah REYNOLDS (assistant), Tarran RICHARDS (fourth)