Strikers Move Into Finals Contention
Words: Daniel Scharf, Brisbane Strikers
Image: Brisbane Strikers
Brisbane Strikers moved into the NPL Queensland top four on Sunday, and avenged their opening round defeat, with a 2-1 win against Redlands United at Perry Park.
Scott Bow opened the scoring five minutes into the second half for the Red Devils before goals to Strikers’ Jheison Macuace and Jason Shade replied secured the hosts the three points.
The teams came into the contest in vastly different form despite being only two points apart on the table, and Strikers showed their momentum gaining three corners in the opening 6 minutes.
A fiery encounter in the 19thminute between Chris Maher and Rhys Meredith saw both receive cautions and lifted the tempo of the contest.
Both sides took turns dominating possession and field position, however, neither could break the deadlock as the sides into the half-time scoreless.
From the restart, Nico Bechar broke past the defensive line only to guide his shot in to the hands of Strikers goalkeeper David Chambers.
Six minutes later Bow, after taking a quick touch from Graham Fyfe’s cross into a pocket of space inside the 18 yard box, passed the ball into the net.
Strikers quickly took initiative again winning more corners and the pressure finally broke Redlands in the 59th minute - Macuace breaking onto a through ball from Matt Thurtell and driving the ball into the far corner of the goal.
Rhys Meredith broke free of his defender just a minute after play resumed to run in one on one with an advancing Chambers, who once again stood strong to keep the sides level.
Jason Shade put the hosts ahead after finding space at the back post from another Strikers corner, tapping home the ball from a yard out in the 78thminute.
The final ten minutes played out with minimal tension, though Macuace missed the chance of a double when he pulled his shot wide after beating three defenders in the build-up.
The result sees the hosts move ahead of cross-town rivals Olympic FC in the NPL Queensland standings, while Redlands are without win since April and drop to tenth.
Brisbane Strikers 2 (Jheison MACUACE 59’, Jason SHADE 78’)
Redlands United 1 (Scott BOW 52’)
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