Jets Off To A Flyer
Moreton Bay United took all three points in their NPL Queensland season opener on Saturday night, overcoming Western Pride 5-2 at Wolter Park.
Jets netted three goals in an explosive fifteen minute period after the restart after the teams went into the break deadlocked at one goal apiece.
Jets captain Royce Brownlie scored a brace for the hosts, adding to a double from Charles Mendy, while Pride’s Peter Drager and Jeye Comerford netted goals on the losing side.
Both sides spurned chances in the opening stanza, with Mendy hitting the post and Brownlie seeing three solid strikes on target saved.
At the other end, Peter Drager was also unable to provide the first goal in the opening exchanges, spurning to gilt-edged chances for the visitors.
The to-and-fro resulted proved entertaining for the Jet’s faithful before Brownlie eventually opened accounts in the 40th minute with a well-directed looping header following a cross from Matthew Zaoppone.
However, Pride levelled terms within the space of two minutes when Jeye Comerford headed home from a well-floated corner kick.
Jets made a fast start following the restart and Zappone went from provider to goal scorer with well-placed low shot in the 51st minute.
Barely three minutes later Mendy, who proved a constant threat with his combination of strength, size and speed, slotted home from close range.
Mendy popped up again for his brace just prior to the hour, breaking clear of the high Pride defensive line, before rounding goalkeeper Andres Pascoe and finishing calmly to extend the margin to three goals.
The hosts weren’t content to sit on their lead, and further chances fell for Brownlie, Mendy and Jarred Austin. At the other end, the industrious Drager missed the chance to claw a goal back when he shot over the bar from close range.
Pride’s cause was further hindered after they were reduced to ten men - Lincoln Rule dismissed with 15 minutes remaining for a second bookable offence.
Despite being a man down, Pride rallied and substitute Chris Scott had a good chance before Drager closed the deficit on 84 minutes, making use of his height to rise strongly and nod home from close range.
The big man was denied again only moments later by a superb last-ditch tackle from Zappone, putting paid to an unlikely Pride comeback.
Brownlie closed out the result four minutes into time added on when he tapped home following a fine run from Jets substitute Chom Arop.
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