Words: Nick Crockford, Moreton Bay United
Image: Alberto Omar Pereira Perez, Moreton Bay United

Moreton Bay United shared the goals and points with defending NPL champions Olympic FC in a high-scoring 4-4 thriller at Wolter Park on Saturday night.

Of the eight goals, five came in the final half hour as Jets twice opened up a two-goal advantage only for Olympic to hit back and equalise with six minutes left.

Both sides saw chances to snatch a dramatic winner, but Jets had shots saved or just clear the crossbar, while Olympic’s late effort went wide.

There was little to suggest a goal feast in the first half, despite Royce Brownlie being put through and beating Olympic keeper Ryan Meskell in the sixth minute.

The visitors replied with Tim Smits hitting the side netting and forcing a save from Jets keeper Matthew Bradley. Smits’ team-mate Luke Howell shot over when well placed.

But on 38 minutes Olympic were level when Daniel Byrne scored from the penalty spot after Matt Capelo was adjudged to have illegally used his arms at a corner.

Brownlie then had the first of two penalty appeals waved away, the second after a beating four players in a run from half way.

Between those appeals, Jets regained the lead when Mitchell Sheumack headed in Jared Austin’s corner from close range in the 49^th minute for 2-1.

Austin was again the provider in the 65^th minute, beating goalkeeper Meskell, who raced way out of his area, to a through ball before Brownlie picked up the loose ball and calmly scored his 13^th goal in eight games.

But back came Olympic. Within two minutes Reuben Way collected a long, cross-field pass, cut inside and fired a left-foot shot in to the far corner for 3-2.

Jets’ two-goal cushion was restored on 73 minutes when a clearance by Olympic keeper Ryan Meskell rebounded off Ryota Nakaooka and into the net.

Byrne halved the deficit five minutes later, coolly firing a long cross back across the Jets’ goal and in to the far corner.

Moments later Bryne was denied a hat-trick by a fine save from Bradley before Olympic levelled.

In the 84^th minute Smits calmly scored from 10 metres after Olympic’s quick, short passes found a way through the Jets’ defence for 4-4.

Three late chances went begging – Capelo had a volley saved, Austin shot over for Jets while George Barbarouses fired wide for Olympic.

The result leaves Jets ahead of Olympic in the standings on goal difference with both sides on 12 points.

Moreton Bay United 4 (Royce BROWNLIE 6' 65', Mitchell SHEUMACK 49', Ryota NAKAOOKA 73')
Olympic 4 (Daniel BYRNE 38' (p) 78', Reuben WAY 67',Tim SMITS 84')