Heat Down Rivals In Cup Clash
Words: Michael Flynn, Football Queensland
FNQ FC Heat are only one win away from a berth in the FFA Cup Round of 32 following a resounding 4-1 win against rivals Northern Fury in their Football Queensland Cup tie at Townsville Sports Reserve on Saturday night.
Fury’s Jacob Crowley netted the opener for the hosts in the first half, before Heat delivered four second half goals via Matt Murphy, Alex Smith, Jamie Carroll and Mgondisi Nkiwane to run away with the result.
Fury went into the match without coach Ian Ferguson but started brightly by deploying a high pressing game against their more northern rivals.
The hosts took the lead prior to the half hour courtesy of Jacob Crowley at the back post in controversial circumstances with claims of handball in the build-up and protests the ball didn’t completely crossed the goal line.
Heat coach Martin Docherty’s frustrated reaction to the decision to award the goal resulted in him being sent to the stands for the remainder of the contest.
Fury held the lead until the break but their high intensity defensive plan crumbled in the second half as Heat scored four unanswered goals.
Murphy levelled terms for the visitors five minutes after the restart when he slammed home a solid strike after being teed up by a smart back heel from Nkiwane.
Smith scored his 12th goal in six games to put Heat ahead three minutes later, wrong-footing two defenders and curling home a left-footed strike.
Jamie Carroll doubled the advantage with 25 minutes remaining converting from a cutback from Ethan Docherty.
The result was sealed when Nkiwane capped off a telling performance by breaking free on the half and burying his finish with ten minutes left in the contest.
Heat will now face Mackay Magpies in the final round of the Football Queensland Cup, with the winner set to advance to the FFA Cup main draw.
Three other NPL Queensland clubs remain in contention for the national showpiece, with Brisbane Strikers and Olympic FC looking to qualify this Tuesday night against Lions FC and Peninsula Power, respectively.
NPL Queensland league leaders Palm Beach Sharks will play their last round match against Caloundra FC on June 4th on the Gold Coast.
Northern Fury 1 (Jacob CROWLEY 28’)
FNQ FC Heat 4 (Matt MURPHY 50’, Alex SMITH 53’, Jamie CARROLL 65’, Mgondisi NKIWANE 80’)
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