Words: Tristram Peters
Additional Reporting: Karl Gough
Images: FNQ Heat

FNQ FC Heat have won a 3-2 nailbiter against Gold Coast City at Barlow Park on Saturday night, beginning their PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland season in dramatic fashion.

Gold Coast midfielder Justyn McKay opened the scoring in the 38th minute, slotting the ball into the back net off a placed cross, before Heat's Christopher O'Hare equalised from the spot before half-time. 

Headed goals from the Heat's Kasper Holmbech and Gold Coast's Sam Smith made a draw look likely, but substitute Christopher Sullivan snatched all three points deep into stoppage time with a far-post finish. 

Heat, last season's Grand Finalists, travel to Ingham Showgrounds to take on Northern Fury next week, while Gold Coast host Brisbane City at home.

Key Moments

38' - GOAL FOR GCC - Justyn McKay slots the ball into the net from a measured cross in the 18-yard box.

41' - PENALTY FOR HEAT - Christopher O'Hare gets taken down in the box and steps up calmly to convert his own penalty. 

79' - GOAL FOR HEAT - Ari Isman heads the ball to substitute Christopher Holmbech who helps it on for his maiden PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland goal.

85' - CHANCE FOR HEAT - Jamie Carroll tries to chip Gold Coast 'keeper Ryan Meskell, but the ball comes back off the crossbar and the visitors work it clear.

90' - GOAL FOR GCC - Sam Smith gets his head to a ball across the face to give Gold Coast what looks to be a point.

90+2' GOAL FOR HEAT - Substitute Christopher Sullivan, who only came on minutes earlier, wins it at the death for the hosts with a finish at the back-post.

Match Details

PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues Queensland 2017 – Round 1
Saturday, 25 February
Barlow Park

FNQ FC Heat 3 (Christopher O'HARE pen 41', Kasper HOLMBECH 79', Christopher SULLIVAN 90+2')
Gold Coast City FC 2 (Justyn MCKAY 38', Sam SMITH 90')

Referee – Adam KERSEY
Assistant – Chris DOHERTY-FISHER
Assistant – Wayne KUYPERS
Fourth Official – Chris DAWSON