Words: Blake Birt
Images: Patrick Kearney

PS4 Player Pathway Award nominee Joe Duckworth scored for the PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland U23 Select but Brisbane Roar's wealth of chances eventually paid dividends in a 3-1 win at QSAC.

Duckworth's composed second-half strike gave the U23 Select hope of a result in the exhibition match only for Jamie Maclaren's second of the match to seal the result.

While the match remained scoreless until the 24th minute, Roar earned a 2-0 half-time lead through Thomas Broich's header and a first for Maclaren 10 minutes before the break.

Ben Litfin stood out for the U23 Select in a holding midfield role as he made several important interceptions while often pushing forward, before succumbing to a hamstring injury in stoppage time.

High-profile recruit Brett Holman impressed for Roar in the No. 10 role, playing several dangerous passes and helping to create his team’s second goal before making way at half time.

Key Moments

20’ – CHANCE FOR ROAR - Dimitri Petratos pulls his left-footed shot past the right upright after some slick interplay from the Roar midfield

24' - CHANCE FOR ROAR – Matt McKay slides in a beautiful ball for Jamie Maclaren but Shane Viitakangas smothers the shot out for a corner

24' - GOAL FOR ROAR - Thomas Broich rises higher than anyone else to emphatically head home Petratos’ corner

35’ – GOAL FOR ROAR – Petratos is played in by Brett Holman before centering for Maclaren, who provides the simplest of finishes

39’ – CHANCE FOR ROAR – A piercing Holman ball releases Maclaren but his vicious short just barely clears the crossbar

56’ – CHANCE FOR ROAR – Broich accepts the invitation to shoot from 20 yards but his impressive effort is touched onto the crossbar by replacement keeper Samuel Nickolls

58’ – GOAL FOR SELECT – Cronin’s delightful chipped pass finds Joe Duckworth in acres of space and the No. 9 beats Jamie Young with a classy finish

66’ – CHANCE FOR ROAR – Mark Rodic plays an inch-perfect ball for Petratos but his cross is steered wide by Maclaren

83’ – GOAL FOR ROAR – Kai Halliday’s shinned clearance bounces off the right post directly to an unmarked Maclaren and the forward casually notches his double

90’ – CHANCE FOR ROAR – Maclaren sees his hat trick shot cleared off the line following a brilliant Broich ball

90’ – RED CARD FOR ROAR – Jacob Pepper is sent packing with minutes remaining after picking up his second yellow

What They Said

"We were pretty competitive today, we created a few half-chances and obviously scored a goal. They are obviously a class outfit. We are all pretty stoked with how today has gone. Everyone did a good shift - I can't fault anyone, it was a good team performance." - Joe Duckworth, PS4 NPL U23 Select goalscorer.

Match Details

Exhibition Match

Saturday, 24 September
QSAC, Brisbane

PS4 NPL Queensland U23 Select - 1 (Joseph DUCKWORTH 58')
Brisbane Roar FC - 3 (Thomas BROICH 24' Jamie MACLAREN 35', 83')

Match Officials - Casey REIBELT (referee), Nathan McDONALD (assistant), Ashley BEECHAM (assistant)