Words: Michael Flynn
Additional Reporting: Steve Pitman
Images: Michele Pitman

Brisbane Strikers are top of the table for the first time this year following a stunning come-from-behind 2-1 win over FNQ Heat at Perry Park.

Following a goalless first half, Strikers were on the back foot when Heat skipper Jamie Carroll opened accounts five minutes after the restart – the goal returning him to outright first in the race for this year’s Golden Boot.

However, the introduction of substitute Jonti Richter proved the catalyst for a stirring fightback by the hosts as he set up Trent Clulow for the equaliser just before the hour, before delivering the match winner with eleven minutes remaining.

The win lifts Strikers two points clear atop the PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland table with just two matches remaining in the regular season as they search for their maiden title in the national second tier.

For Heat, the result sees them move into second place for the first time since the opening round of the season.

Key Moments

1’ - CHANCE FOR STRIKERS – An early opportunity for Trent Clulow is saved by Heat goalkeeper Kevin Ward before Rhys Meredith and Shaun Carlos see follow-up attempts both blocked by the Heat defence

8’ – CHANCE FOR HEAT – Jamie Gosling lines up a free-kick but it fizzes over the top of the crossbar

10’ – CHANCE FOR STRIKERS – The Strikers triumvirate of Meredith, Carlos and Fraser Hills combine to open up the Heat defence, however Hills’ shot is deflected behind for a corner

19’ – CHANCE FOR STRIKERS – Considered build-up from Strikers results in Meredith picking out Hills with a low cross, however his ensuing shot is wide of the target

25’ – CHANCE FOR HEAT – A spell of possession for the visitors ends as Bronson Koppen drives a shot across goal from 25 yards out

50’ – GOAL FOR HEAT – Strikers fail to clear a corner allowing Jamie Carroll to convert on the slide at close range after the ball is returned into the Strikers’ goal area

59’ – GOAL FOR STRIKERS – Jonti Richter touches a pass off to Clulow, who clinically slots his finish into the bottom corner from just inside the penalty area

71’ – CHANCE FOR HEAT – Christopher O’Hare blasts a shot from the edge of the penalty area that forces Strikers goalkeeper Michael Weier to push wide with a diving save

79’ – GOAL FOR STRIKERS – A corner from Clulow is headed back across goal allowing Richter to lash home a volley into the roof of the net

89’ – CHANCE FOR HEAT – Kieran Sanders picks out Ari Isman at close range but his header fails to find the target

What They Said

“(Coach) Kevin (A’herne-Evans) said at half time that there’s going to be momentum shifts and they might jag one, but we know that when we get one we can go on with it. I think with the timing of their goal, the character of the boys showed through in the end. When they scored there was no (thought) in my mind that the game was lost” - Trent Clulow, Brisbane Strikers FC midfielder

“I think, even though it’s never a bad time to score a goal we scored a little bit early in the second half. It was a long time for Strikers to get back into the game. After we scored the goal I don’t think we had good possession for maybe fifteen minutes and, when we seemed to clear our lines , we broke down and Strikers picked it back up and they put the pressure back on us well and truly.” - Tim Campbell, FNQ FC Heat coach

Match Details

PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues 2016 – Round 20

Saturday, August 6
Perry Park, Brisbane

Brisbane Strikers FC - 2 (Trent CLULOW 59’, Jonti RICHTER 79’)
FNQ FC Heat - 1 (Jamie CARROLL 50’)

Match Centre - http://bit.ly/2b7aQ2y