NPL Round 11 Round Review: Olympic Unbeaten run comes to an end
In this round of the National Premier League, a stunning finish by the Magpies Crusaders helped them past Redlands United. Western Pride put on a show against Brisbane Roar FC Youth, and Brisbane Strikers prevailed to topple the ladder leaders.
By Brett Sinclair
SWQ Thunder FC | 0 - 0 | Sunshine Coast FC
Clive Berghofer Stadium
Sunshine Coast keep a clean sheet
Both SQW Thunder and Sunshine Coast FC couldn’t break the deadlock in a 0-0 draw on Saturday evening at Clive Berghofer Stadium.
Both sides were eager to get a win and much-needed three points over a fellow club languishing at the bottom of the table. However, the tussle could not separate the two sides, with SWQ Thunder throwing wave after wave at the Sunshine Coast defence, which stood strong. The draw is the Sunshine Coast’s first of the season as they sit last on the ladder after the Magpies Crusaders stunning win elevated them up the table.
The Coast-based side now faces the daunting prospect of hosting Olympic FC next Saturday night.
Lions FC |3-0| Cairns FC
Lions Stadium
Early strikes enough for Lions
The Lions were too good for Cairns on Saturday night, with two early goals helping them ease to a 3-0 win at Lions Stadium.
Defender Jacob Alexander opened the scoring in the 16th minute and midfielder Chris Maher doubled it shortly after in the 23rd minute. Substitute Carter Glockner struck late to end any faint hopes Cairns may have had of pulling off a miracle.
The win helps Lions stay in close-contact with Olympic FC and Western Pride, as they sit just below them in third.
Western Pride FC |6-1| Brisbane Roar FC Youth
Briggs Road Sporting Complex
Wenzel-Halls on the ball as Pride inflict heavy defeat to Roar Youth
Western Pride FC were big winners over Brisbane Roar Youth, winning 6-1 on Saturday night at Briggs Road Sporting Complex.
In a game which threatened to be competitive early, after both teams scored to make it 1-1 inside 20 minutes, up stepped the season’s leading scorer in Dylan Wenzel-Halls, with a brace either side of Fraser Hills’ 30th minute strike to make it 4-1 at half-time. Two late goals rounded out the victory in style.
The big win also ensured Western Pride passed the half-century in goals scored this season, with 51 chalked up to their name.
Magpies Crusaders FC | 5 – 3 | Redlands United FC
Sologinkin Oval
Redlands blow it against fast-finishing Magpies Crusaders in 8 goal thriller
The Magpies Crusaders came back from 3-0 down at half-time to astonishingly winning 5-3 against Redlands United at Sologinkin Oval in Mackay on Saturday night.
The saying ‘football is a game of two halves’ was proven here, as Redlands raced out to a 3-0 lead inside 42 minutes. Redlands’ star-striker Shuto Kuboyama surprisingly could not get a piece of the action this time, as Magpies Crusaders did well to keep the sharp-shooter quiet.
Magpies captain Michael Lyall had a first-half he won’t forget anytime soon, scoring an own-goal as Redlands went 3-0 up. In the second half, Lyall made up for this in scoring two of his sides five goals in the last 30 minutes of the game – including putting his side 4-3 up in the 75th minute.
The win is the Magpies second this season, and it lifts them off the bottom of the ladder ahead of Sunshine Coast.
Moreton Bay United FC | 4 - 1 | Gold Coast United Football Club
Wolter Park
Moreton Bay cruise home against Gold Coast
Moreton Bay was too good for Gold Coast United, winning 4-1 on Saturday night at Wolter Park.
The Jets struck early, but Gold Coast quickly replied to Moreton Bay’s opener via James Coutts to make it 1-1 at the break. From then on, however, Moreton Bay came home strong with three goals inside the last 30 minutes to skip away with three points.
The win creates some breathing space for Moreton Bay on the ladder in the sixth position, now seven points ahead of Gold Coast United who is in the eighth spot.
Gold Coast will have to deal with SQW Thunder next week, who are just below them in ninth.
North QLD United FC | 0 – 4 | Brisbane City FC
Brolga Park
City inflict huge loss to North QLD
North QLD United FC suffered a 4-0 loss against Brisbane City on Sunday afternoon at Brolga Park, missing out on a chance to jump City on the ladder.
After the game was tied 0-0 at the break, Brisbane City burst out of the dressing room in the second half and was able to share the scoring, with four different goal-scorers.
The loss continues North QLD United’s losing run, while Brisbane City was able to celebrate Sam Sibatuara in his 50th appearance for the club with the slick attacker grabbing a brace for his club.
Olympic FC | 0 – 1 | Brisbane Strikers FC
Goodwin Park
Olympic lose undefeated streak
Olympic FC suffered a costly 1-0 defeat against Brisbane Strikers on Sunday evening at Goodwin Park.
The Strikers won a tight game thanks to Zach Maltby’s goal early in the second half. Frustrations of the contest boiled over to Olympic substitute Jack Glover - who was sent off a minute after coming on late in the second half for bringing down Brisbane Strikers’ Rhys Meredith.
The win by Strikers ensures they are now only four points behind Olympic on the ladder. Olympic will be disappointed to lose their undefeated streak and also lose top spot to Western Pride FC, who sit one point ahead on 27 points.
Comments
Comment Guidelines: The SportsTG Network is made up of players, families and passionate sports followers like you who have a strong opinion about sport. That's great - we want you to have your say and share your thoughts with the world. However, we have a few rules that you must follow to keep it fun for all. Please don't be rude, abusive, swear or vilify others. Apart from some pretty serious sport sanctions, we also can ban you and report you if things get out of hand. So play fair and have fun, and thanks for your contribution.