Words: Michael Flynn
Images: Andrew Shaw

FNQ Heat’s PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland Premiership dream must wait for another year after drawing 1-1 with Moreton Bay United at Wolter Park.

Heat needed a win to take their Premiership challenge into the final round of the regular season, however, despite a late equaliser from Christopher O'Hare they proved unable to find the winner - allowing league-leaders Brisbane Strikers to wrap up the title with a win over Northern Fury and moving four points clear atop the table.

Following a scoreless first half, Jets took the lead on the hour when Royce Brownlie scored the opener from the penalty spot.

The result not only ends Heat’s Premiership aspirations but also leaves the Cairns-based club needing to win next week’s match against SWQ Thunder if they are to wrap up second place and a home Semi-Final.

For Jets, the result continues an up-and-down campaign and they remain dependent on other results if they are to avoid finishing in the bottom half of the table for the first time.

The Jets’ battling display marked an ironic twist as the club last year foiled Strikers in the PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland Premiership and Championship race.

Key Moments

3’ - CHANCE FOR HEAT – Darcy McCormack’s low shot from 18 yards is tipped round the post by Jets goalkeeper Matthew Stein

7’ - CHANCE FOR JETS – Jonathan Marraiya plays in Finn Beakhurst but with just the keeper to beat Beakhurst shoots over from eight yards on the angle

31’ - CHANCE FOR HEAT – Christopher O’Hare lines up a free-kick from the edge of the penalty area, however his low strike is straight at Stein

45’ – CHANCE FOR HEAT – A poor clearance from the Jets defence falls for Jamie Carroll inside the penalty area but the Heat’s leading goalscorer sends his opportunistic volley wide of the target

57’ – CHANCE FOR JETS – Beakhurst cuts inside from the left wing to fashion space but his driven strike from the edge of the penalty area deflects wide

60’ – GOAL FOR JETS – Royce Brownlie is brought down as he turns tightly on the Heat goal line to win a penalty which he subsequently converts with a firmly struck spot-kick

64’ – CHANCE FOR JETS - A half cleared corner finds Royce Brownlie six yards out, but his looping header is saved by Heat goalkeeper Kevin Ward

70’ – CHANCE FOR JETS – Beakhurst breaks clear of the Heat defence but his low drive is pushed wide of the far post by Ward

84’ – GOAL FOR HEAT – O’Hare sees his shot from the edge of the penalty area deflect off Jets defender Matthew Byrne and loop over the head of Stein to level terms

87’ - CHANCE FOR JETS – Alex Janovsky fires a free kick from the edge of the penalty area straight at Ward

What They Said

“The boys were fantastic today. We said wanted to prove a point and not just go through the motions. We worked hard, we started a bit cagey, but once we got the ball down we played some good football and we’re very, very happy with the boys.” – Adam Piddick, Moreton Bay United FC technical director

“We would have really liked the three points, some decisions didn’t go our way, but the way the team picked itself up and put some extended pressure on (Jets) we can be happy with that. I said to the boys we just need to get some momentum for the play-offs now.” – Tim Campbell, FNQ FC Heat coach

Match Details

PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues 2016 – Round 21

Saturday, August 13
Wolter Park, Moreton Bay

Moreton Bay United FC – 1 (Royce BROWNLIE p.60’)
FNQ FC Heat – 1 (Christopher O’HARE 84’ )

Match Centre – http://bit.ly/2aLNSwm

Match Officials - Trent Sleeman (referee), Dylan Lambert (assistant), Danielle Potticary (assistant), Joseph Lee (fourth)