Words: Michael Flynn
Additional Reporting: Aaron Cooper
Images: Brisbane Roar FC

A hat-trick from Scot Coulson has delivered Brisbane City their biggest win of the season after shutting out Brisbane Roar Youth 4-0 at Cleveland Showgrounds.

Coulson struck the opener inside a quarter hour before Nathan Bird capped a busy performance by doubling the advantage prior to half-time.

Coulson then struck twice again in the second half as City capitalised on a resolute defensive performance to post their first league double over Young Roar.

The win sees City reclaim their hold on fifth place in the league standings with only goal difference keeping them out of the top four behind Redlands United.

For Young Roar, the result concludes their hopes of securing a maiden PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland Finals Series appearance.

Key Moments

8’ – CHANCE FOR YOUNG ROAR – Matthew Schmidt secures possession on the edge of the penalty area before dishing off to Nicholas Panetta, who forces a strong save from City goalkeeper Timothy Allen

12’ – GOAL FOR CITY – Nathan Bird quickly returns a Young Roar clearance back into the hosts’ penalty area which sees Coulson deliver on the half-volley into the bottom corner to open accounts

26’ – CHANCE FOR CITY - Kai Smith heads towards goal from close range but his effort is directed straight at Young Roar goalkeeper Andre Jannese, who saves comfortably

29’ – GOAL FOR CITY – Considered build-up from the visitors fashions a chance for Bird, who coolly finishes from inside the penalty area

40’ – CHANCE FOR CITY – Coulson strikes a solid volleyed effort from near the penalty spot and is only foiled by a sharp reaction save from Jannese

47’ – GOAL FOR CITY – Coulson takes a touch on the edge of the area and allows the ball to drop before hitting a thunderous volley which goes in off the underside of the crossbar

58’ – CHANCE FOR CITY - Young Roar clear their lines from a corner but only as far as Bird on the edge of the area whose first-time volley is deflected narrowly wide of Jannese’s right post

65’ – CHANCE FOR YOUNG ROAR – A cross from the left wing sneaks through the crowd to Tommy Jarrard at the back post but Allen gets down low to keep out his close range strike

70’ – GOAL FOR CITY – Kai Smith wins a penalty in contest with Harrison Sawyer from a corner kick; Coulson sees his initial spot-kick parried by Jannese but he latches on to the rebound to seal the win

What They Said

“It wasn’t our best performance and we didn’t stick to our structures. Fair play to Brisbane City, they came out with a game plan and stuck to it. The final pass wasn’t sticking tonight, the field was a bit slippery which didn’t help. We weren’t too bad tonight, it was just our final pass. We’re going to go out in the last few games and still treat every game as we usually would, looking to win.” – Kirwin Jean-Pierre, Brisbane Roar FC Youth assistant coach

“We needed to get a result tonight and we got it. We’ve given a few points away in the last few weeks and we need to stay in touch. We want to make finals and we believe can.” – John Kosmina, Brisbane City FC coach

Match Details

PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues 2016 – Round 20

Saturday, August 6
Cleveland Showgrounds, Redland City

Brisbane Roar FC Youth – 0
Brisbane City FC – 4 (Scot COULSON 12’ 47’ 70’, Nathan BIRD 29’)

Match Centre – http://bit.ly/2aI0VzR

Match Officials – Trent SLEEMAN (referee), Mitchell MILLER (assistant), Thomas CULLANE (assistant), Matthew SKINNER (fourth)