Words: Aaron Cooper
Additional reporting: Gold Coast City FC
Images: Sportspics

Gold Coast City's Sam Smith has bagged a brace in his side's 4-0 win over Brisbane Roar Youth at Duncan McKenna Field on Saturday night.

The result - City's 14th victory of the season - sees them extend their advantage at the top of the table over the chasing pack with three matches to play.

The Young Roar were no match for the table-topping side and remain in 10th position.

Matthew Schmidt fired a warning of what was to come on seven minutes with a well-saved curling effort before Eoghan Murphy scored with a close-range header only a minute later.

City's advantage was doubled in the blink of an eye as Smith scored the first of his two goals for the night following a terrific releasing pass to Jarrod Kyle from Matthew Stein.

Rahmat Akbari's hurried shot that flew high was as close as the Roar were getting to the the back of the net and City had the points all but sewn up just before the half-hour mark when Jacob Boutoubia got his name on the scoresheet.

City continued to create chances but weren't able to add a fourth until the second half when Smith polished off a brace, and a strong win for his side, from close range.

GCC will now turn their attention to the Westfield FFA Cup, where they will take on West Australian side Western Knights on Wednesday, 2 August.

Key Moments

7’ – CHANCE FOR GCC – Matthew Schmidt forces a save from Macklin Freke with a curling effort from just inside the penalty area.

8’ – GOAL FOR GCC – Eoghan Murphy scores with a header at close range after the Young Roar fail to deal with a GCC corner.

10’ – GOAL FOR GCC – Matthew Stein’s long-range kick releases Jarrod Kyle. The striker takes the ball in to the box before squaring for Sam Smith to tap home.

20’ – CHANCE FOR ROAR – Rahmat Akbari shoots over the top from distance with a hurried effort.

29’ – GOAL FOR GCC – Parried save from Freke is met by a flying Jacob Boutoubia who tucks away the first-time finish.

41’ – CHANCE FOR GCC – Boutoubia turns to shake his marker at the top of the box but his shot is always rising.

48’ – CHANCE FOR GCC – Smith rises high to meet a corner but can’t find the target.

57’ – GOAL FOR GCC – Smith is composed and confident as he heads home his second of the night from close range to effectively seal the points.

59’ – CHANCE FOR GCC – Benjamin Lyvikdos with a dazzling run down the right flank turns his defender inside out before forcing a sharp save high at the near post.

73’ – CHANCE FOR GCC – A deflected shot from Riley Dillon falls kindly for Murphy but he is denied by a point-blank save from Freke.

Match Details

PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland 2017 – Round 19
Saturday, July 22
Duncan McKenna Field

Gold Coast City 4 (Eoghan MURPHY 8’, Sam SMITH 10’, 57’, Jacob BOUTOUBIA 29’)
Brisbane Roar Youth 0