Words: Michael Flynn
Additional Reporting: Karl Gough
Images: FNQ FC Heat

FNQ Heat continue to inch their way to the PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland Premiership title after defeating Redlands United 2-0 at Callender Park.

Heat shrugged off their midweek Westfield FFA Cup elimination to claim their first ever win over Redlands in eight attempts courtesy of two second half goals.

Christopher O’Hare opening accounts prior to the hour before skipper Jamie Carroll sealed the points with five minutes remaining.

The win sees Heat maintain their hold on top of the table ahead of next week’s crucial showdown with second-placed Brisbane Strikers in Brisbane.

For Redlands, the result sees them lose their place in the top four to Olympic FC ahead of their Westfield FFA Cup blockbuster against Adelaide United on Wednesday.

Key Moments

2’ – CHANCE FOR REDLANDS – An early corner is met by the head of Russell Woodruffe but he fails to make proper contact and the ball goes out for a throw-in

16’ – CHANCE FOR REDLANDS – Igor Sao Jose lines up an effort from well outside the penalty area but it curls away to the right of the target

38’ – CHANCE FOR HEAT – Jamie Gosling fashions an effort from near the penalty spot but it takes a deflection and bobbles for an easily collect for Redlands goalkeeper Brendan White

50’ – CHANCE FOR HEAT – Kieran Sanders looks to break the deadlock from the edge of the box but his strike hits the crossbar

57’ – GOAL FOR HEAT – Scrappy build-up sees the ball end up with Christopher O’Hare who pummels the finish just inside the far post to open accounts

79’ – CHANCE FOR HEAT – Gosling is fed by O’Hare and pulls the trigger on a swerving shot from the top of the penalty area but it misses the target

81’ – CHANCE FOR HEAT – Bronson Koppen is the next to threaten but he steers the effort directly at White

85’ – GOAL FOR HEAT – Jamie Carroll unleashes a stunning 40 yard run that accounts for two defenders before delivering a chipped one-on-one finish against White to seal the win

What They Said

“I think we still had a little bit of a hangover from Wednesday night for the first ten to fifteen minutes. It took us a while to settle but we showed signs near the end of the first half. We had a good talk at half-time and the boys felt confident. We knew if we pushed forward a little bit more and got the goal then they would have to come on us. We know we are dangerous when they have to come onto us. “ – Tim Campbell, FNQ FC Heat coach

“I have every confidence we will win our next three games after the cup game. We were excellent tonight considering we had a the logisitics of travel coming out to Innisfail with an hour and half in the bus coming out of Cairns – so it was tough for us. I’m not a big believer in luck but I believe we were unlucky today.“ – Matt Chandler, Redlands United FC coach

Match Details

PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues 2016 – Round 19

Saturday, July 30
Callender Park, Innisfail

FNQ FC Heat – 2 (Christopher O’HARE 57’, Jamie CARROLL 85’)
Redlands United FC – 0

Match Centre – http://bit.ly/2alcaAr