Words: Michael Flynn
Additional Reporting: Mark Guy
Image: Duncan McKenna

Gold Coast City are returning to finals football following a backs-to-the-wall 2-1 win over Brisbane Roar Youth at Runaway Bay Super Sports Centre.

City leading goal scorer Benjamin Litfin’s seventeenth goal of the season secured the hosts the win in the closing stages of a contest that saw the visitors craft the bulk of the chances.

In the first half, Harrison Sawyer delivered Young Roar the lead from the penalty spot before an error in the backline allowed City’s Justyn McKay to level terms immediately before half-time.

The result extends City’s unbeaten run to seven matches and guarantees the club can finish the season no lower than third place – and still able to snatch second place from FNQ Heat in next week’s final round.

City and Heat are now guaranteed to meet in the opening week of the PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland Finals Series - the first time City have been involved in the post-season since their all-conquering 2014 campaign.

Young Roar’s second straight defeat means the team will finish in the bottom-half of the table for the first time since their debut season, also in 2014.

Key Moments

10’ – CHANCE FOR CITY – Jaiden Walker advances in from the right flank and hits a swerving shot on the angle from 25 yards but it skews wide of the near post

11’ – CHANCE FOR YOUNG ROAR – Nicholas Panetta feeds the ball into the feet of Joseph Champness, who takes a touch but sends his shot straight at City goalkeeper Shane Viitakangas

23’ – CHANCE FOR YOUNG ROAR – Another chance for Champness inside the penalty area but the shot is closed down by City defender Martin Vazquez

31’ – CHANCE FOR YOUNG ROAR – Champness once again threatens with a sharp turn on the edge of the six-yard box but flashes the shot across the face of goal

38’ – GOAL FOR YOUNG ROAR – Nicholas Panetta is brought down in the penalty area, enabling Harrison Sawyer to convert with the spot-kick

43’ – GOAL FOR CITY – A heavy touch from Young Roar goalkeeper Tomislav Bilic is pounced on by Justyn McKay to convert a gift of a goal

60’ – CHANCE FOR YOUNG ROAR – Champness is played in behind the City backline on the eft and cuts into the box but then sends his shot wide of the goal

66’ – CHANCE FOR YOUNG ROAR – Another series of sharp passes ends with Panetta receiving the ball in space inside the penalty area but the strike is straight at Viitakangas

79’ – CHANCE FOR CITY – Mori Kone tracks in from the left wing to reach the edge of the penalty area but his firmly struck shot is blocked by Kye Rowles

82’ – GOAL FOR CITY – Jordan Lampard’s free-kick is headed down by Benjamin Lyvidikos for Benjamin Litfin to smash home the winner on the volley.

What They Said

“The next couple of weeks for us are going to be massive. We’re going to give our all in every game because if we can get second spot we will get a home final and that’s what we want.“ – Martin Vazquez, Gold Coast City FC defender

“I thought in the first half we were probably the better side – opened scoring with a penalty and did the things we were practising all week. Then we lose a bit of a silly goal but I came into half-time positive. Then in the second half they pushed us back and I think we let them push us back.“ – John Sime, Brisbane Roar FC Youth coach

Match Details

PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues 2016 – Round 21

Sunday, August 14
Runaway Bay Super Sports Centre, Gold Coast

Gold Coast City FC – 2 (Justyn MCKAY 44’, Benjamin LITFIN 83’)
Brisbane Roar FC Youth – 1 (Harrison SAWYER p.38’)

Match Centre – http://bit.ly/2aXLExn

Match Officials - Andrew Lindsay (referee), Thomas Cullane (assistant), Mitch Miller (assistant), George Gillings (fourth)