Thunder Upset Strikers
Words: Josh Davies
Additional Reporting: Laurie Passante
Image: David Lobwein
SWQ Thunder has claimed the major scalp of the premiership chasing Brisbane Strikers, courtesy of a 1-0 win on Saturday night.
A Majok Piok strike early in the second half proved to be the difference between the two sides in chilly conditions at Clive Berghofer Stadium.
Piok and Thomas Fanning led the charge for the home side who were able to reverse the previous 3-0 defeat to Strikers earlier in the year with a spirited victory.
Strikers loss could have serious implications on their top of the table pursuit of Gold Coast City with only four rounds remaining in the season and now three points separating the two clubs, with Brisbane Olympic close in tow.
Thunder will play their fourth home game in succession when they host Olympic next weekend with Strikers making the long away trip to Townsville to face Northern Fury.
Key Moments
13' – CHANCE FOR STRIKERS - Hiroki Omori takes a snap shot from just inside the 18-yard box that flashes over the Thunder cross bar.
15' – CHANCE FOR STRIKERS - Lachlan Weier puts the ball through to an unmarked Jeremy Stewart who takes the shot which cannons off the Thunder post right back into the field of play.
28' – CHANCE FOR STRIKERS - Long ball through from the back to Stewart who takes the shot but safely taken by Luke Macdonald.
49' – GOAL FOR THUNDER - Blair Ferguson puts a through ball to Majok Piok who slots the ball past an outstretched Finn Matheson.
53' – CHANCE FOR STRIKERS - Stewart takes a run into the Thunder 18-yard box and tries to place it past Macdonald who makes himself big and deflects the ball out for a corner.
80' – CHANCE FOR THUNDER - Anthony Grant heads the ball from just inside the 6-yard box towards the right side of the net but it's saved by a diving Matheson.
Match Details
PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues Queensland – Round 18
Saturday, July 15
Clive Berghofer Stadium
South West Queensland Thunder FC 1 (Majok PIOK 49’)
Brisbane Strikers FC 0
Referee: Adam KERSEY
Assistant Referee: Alex HOHN
Assistant Referee: Josh EISER
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