Words: Matt Tilby
Additional Reporting: Laurie Passante
Images: SWQ Thunder FC

SWQ Thunder has upset the form guide, securing a nervy 1-0 win over top four aspirant Brisbane City on Saturday night.

Looking for a second win to kick-start their season, the Thunder were put under heavy pressure from the first whistle, with keeper Luke Macdonald having a game to remember, repelling all City attacks.

City’s inability to hit the target would soon come back to haunt them, with the Thunder awarded a penalty for a handball in the box after half an hour. Tom Fanning would make no mistake and gifted the home side the lead.

It would be all hands on deck in the second 45, with Sibatuara and Kakehi seeing good opportunities denied by a determined Macdonald in net.

His save on Mitchell Hore in the dying moments would prove to be especially important, as the Thunder hung on for a vital win.

With the somewhat shock victory, the Thunder would put pressure on Redlands United for 10th spot on the ladder, as they travel to the Sunshine Coast to play the bottom placed Fire next week.

The loss for Brisbane City sees their position in the top four come under serious scrutiny, with Olympic, FNQ Heat and Moreton Bay United all looking to take advantage. They’ll host ladder leaders Gold Coast City in the next round.

Key Moments

6’ – CHANCE FOR CITY - Scot Halliday from outside the Thunder 18 forces a diving save by Thunder keeper Luke Macdonald.

7’ – CHANCE FOR THUNDER – Ferguson takes a shot at the City goal from inside the City 18, but the shot drifts wide of the City right post.

16’- CHANCE FOR CITY – Nathan Bird takes a strike from outside the Thunder’s 18 which rises above the Thunder goal for a goal kick.

30’ – GOAL FOR THUNDER – Hand ball by a Brisbane City defender in front of goal, with a yellow card and penalty awarded. Tom Fanning stepped up and placed it in the right corner of the City goal.

33’ – CHANCE FOR CITY – Nathan Bird takes a long-range shot, which travels over the Thunder goal for a goal kick.

50’ – CHANCE FOR CITY -Good passing sequence by City in the Thunder 18 culminates in a shot by Kakehi, which drifts over the Thunder goal.

60’ – CHANCE FOR CITY – A shot on the Thunder goal by Sibatuara forces a good save by Thunder keeper Luke Macdonald.

61’ – CHANCE FOR CITY – Good passage of play in the Thunder 18 allows an attacking header by Bird, which drifts over the Thunder Goal.

67’ – CHANCE FOR THUNDER – Attacking passage of play by Thunder culminates in a shot which drifts over the City goal by Emmanuel Philip.

86’ – CHANCE FOR CITY – A shot on goal by Mitchell Hore crucially saved by Thunder keeper Luke Macdonald.

93’ – CHANCE FOR CITY - Everyone up for City Corner, but the corner is punched away by Thunder keeper Luke MacDonald.

Match Details

Playstation 4 NPL Queensland Season 2017 – Round 12
Saturday, May 27
Clive Berghofer Stadium

SWQ Thunder FC – 1 (Fanning 32’ pen)
Brisbane City FC – 0

Referee – Trent SLEEMAN
Assistant – Nathaniel ROBB
Assistant – Joshua EISER