Words: Aaron Cooper
Additional Reporting: Steve Pitman
Image: Michele Pitman

Brisbane Strikers have moved into the top three with a 3-0 win against SWQ Thunder at Perry Park on Saturday night.

Strikers were up 3-0 within half hour against the Thunder who were unable to find the net and record their sixth defeat from seven matches to start the season.

Michael Lee opened the scoring early on for the Strikers with a well-placed shot from the edge of the area.

Four minutes later and the hosts were in cruise control after some neat interpassing set up Gregory Chesire to double the lead.

Lee then turned provider for Jake McLean, beating three defenders before squaring the ball and setting up McLean for the game's third goal.

The scoreline could have become uglier in the second half if not for a string of first-class saves from Thunder keeper Anthony Passante who appeared determined to not be beaten again.

The Strikers will now play host to Northern Fury while the Thunder face high-flyers Olympic at Goodwin Park.

Key Moments

9' – GOAL TO STRIKERS – Michael Lee collects a pass just outside Thunder’s penalty area and lets rip with a shot that flies into the top corner.

13' – GOAL TO STRIKERS – Ryan Palmer and Jeremy Stewart exchange passes to set up Gregory Cheshire to score past Andrew Passante from ten metres out.

18' – CHANCE FOR THUNDER – Zac Speedy saves low to his right as Thunder’s Majok Piok powerfully strikes a direct free kick through the home team's defensive wall from well beyond the edge of the area.

28’ – GOAL TO STRIKERS – Lee beats three defenders to get to the byline and roll a pass to Jake McLean whose shot takes a deflection off a defender on its way to goal.

32' – CHANCE FOR STRIKERS – Passante pulls off a blinder at close range to prevent Hiroki Omori from scoring at his near post.

45' – CHANCE FOR STRIKERS – Passante makes a double save to deny Cheshire and then Jeremy Stewart in quick succession.

77' – CHANCE FOR STRIKERS – Passante saves at the second attempt to prevent substitute Luke Marsh's stabbed shot from Omori's cutback crossing his line.

79' – CHANCE FOR STRIKERS – The keeper again comes to the Thunder’s rescue as he leaves Marsh dumbfounded with another close-range save low to his right after Marsh pulled the trigger from close range.

Match Details

PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues Queensland - Round 7
Saturday, April 8
Perry Park

Brisbane Strikers 3 (Michael LEE 9', Gregory CHESHIRE 13', Jake MCLEAN 28')
SWQ Thunder 0

Referee: David Wiebe
Assistant Referee 1: Mohammad Alipour
Assistant Referee 2: Brad Burton
Fourth Official: Max Crane