Words: Michael Flynn
Additional Reporting & Images: Sam Attwood

Gold Coast City have prepared for the upcoming PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland Finals with a solid 5-2 win over a ten-man Sunshine Coast FC at Sunshine Coast Stadium.

City struck four times in the second half to secure their second win over Fire this season – Benjamin Litfin moving top of the competition’s goalscoring chart with a brace, and further contributions from Mory Kone and Nikola Mirkovic.

The visitors appeared set for a tough afternoon before Fire were placed on the backfoot by a first-half send-off of attacker Jeremy Stewart – City opening accounts soon after via Fraser Eller’s maiden PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues goal.

Fire struck twice in the second half via Alexander Warrilow and Paul Mikula, however, it wasn’t enough to prevent their a fifth straight loss to close out a disappointing campaign.

City’s third straight win moves them into second place on the league table – a point ahead of FNQ Heat, who wrap their regular season fixtures later on Saturday against SWQ Thunder.

City will take on Heat in next week’s PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland 2016 Semi Final.

Key Moments

5’ – CHANCE FOR FIRE – Jeremy Stewart steps around two defenders before forcing City goalkeeper Shane Viitakangas to palm his shot from the edge of the area away

26’ – CHANCE FOR FIRE – Alexander Warrilow sees his lob from the edge of the area cleared off the line before Stewart pounces on the second chance but is denied by Viitakangas

26’ – CHANCE FOR FIRE – Christopher Jancesvki heads at goal from the resulting corner but it is blocked on the line

29’ – CHANCE FOR CITY – Nikola Mirkovic lines up the target from 30 yards out but his shot curls wide of the goal

31’ – CHANCE FOR CITY - Riley Dillon finds himself in space at an acute angle down the right flank but his shot is punched away by Fire goalkeeper Samuel Nickolls

34’ – RED CARD FOR FIRE - Jeremy Stewart is shown a straight red card for a lunging two-footed tackle on Fraser Eller near half-way

41’ – GOAL FOR CITY – Mirkovic delivers a low cross in the penalty area that is met by Fraser Eller and steered into the back of the net

48’ – CHANCE FOR FIRE – Warrilow’s free-kick is met by the head of Jancevski but is saved by Viitakangas

54’ – GOAL FOR FIRE – Warrilow makes a run down the right and skirts a defender before slotting the finish across Viitakangas into the bottom corner

56’ – GOAL FOR CITY – Mirkovic restores the visitors’ lead with a curling finish from the edge of the area

62’ – GOAL FOR CITY – Benjamin Litfin converts from close range after getting on the end of a pass into the penalty area

75’ – CHANCE FOR FIRE – A misplaced clearance from Viitakangas falls to Warrilow but his shot from distance is regained by the City gloveman

80’ – GOAL FOR CITY – Litfin converts his second goal from 12 yards out on the angle beating Nickolls at his near post

83’ – GOAL FOR FIRE – An attempted clearance from the City defence deflects fortuitously for Paul Mikula, who converts the finish from close range

89’ – GOAL FOR CITY – Mory Kone steps beyond former teammate Drew Jeskey before bearing down on goal and deftly placing his shot into the bottom corner

What They Said

“The team and the condition of the team when we arrived was a joke. They’d played two games with no pre-season and done nothing. It took us a long while to get them going – bring players in, move players out. We’ve become competitive and from this season, if we’re still here next year, we’re going to move from competitive to winning games.“ – Sam Saif, Sunshine Coast FC coach

“It was good that we got three points. We rested three or four boys that were on yellow cards and it was an opportunity for three or four boys from the Under 20’s and they did a good job. But at the same time they learned a lot as well in a different style of game to what they’re used to. It was a tough one but good to get the points and get ready for the finals next week.“ – Kristian Rees, Gold Coast City FC assistant coach

Match Details

PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues 2016 – Round 22

Saturday, August 20
Sunshine Coast Stadium, Sunshine Coast

Sunshine Coast FC – 2 (Alexander WARRILOW 54’, Paul MIKULA 83’)
Gold Coast City FC – 5 (Fraser ELLER 41’, Nikola MIRKOVIC 56’, Benjamin LITFIN 62’ 81’, Mory KONE 89’)

Match Centre – http://bit.ly/2b5D3W3

Match Officials - Trent Sleeman (referee), Jay Hudson (assistant), Joshua Eiser (assistant), Amanda Wiebe (fourth)