Words: Michael Flynn, Brisbane City
Image: Keith Eigeland, Football Queensland

Palm Beach Sharks recorded their tenth straight win and moved ten points clear on the NPL Queensland table on Tuesday night after accounting for Brisbane City 3-0 at Spencer Park.

Striker Chris Lucas moved to the top of the Golden Boot chart with a goal in each half for the league leaders, while Rhys Lambert contributed a 25 yard screamer early in the second half.

Despite sitting at different ends of the league table, City created the better of the chances in the opening exchanges but found themselves repeatedly denied by Sharks shot-stopper Shane Vitakangas.

Two minutes in midfielder Ken Dougall’s free kick forced a near post save before the Sharks goalkeeper came off his line to smother Jarrod Kyle’s angled effort from 12 yards out.

On 16 minutes Nathan Bird struck a fierce volley from Kyle’s cross, Vitakangas again proving sharp to tip the ball over the bar.

The visitors struggled for a genuine goal scoring chance before Nic Mirkovic unleashed a 30-yard pile-driver from broken play that cannoned back off the crossbar on 23 minutes.

It signalled a purple patch for Sharks as Troy Ruthven’s free kick curved just wide of the post before the centre half was brought down just inside the box on 26 minutes allowing Lucas to convert from the penalty spot.

City came close to a reply ten minutes before the break when Bird met Nick Buckey’s low cross at the near post, however his sliding effort veered just wide of the target amidst heavy defensive pressure.

The host’s hopes of a comeback in a tight contest were dashed when Sharks spectacularly doubled their advantage immediately after the restart.

Midfielder Lambert’s 25 yard strike faded into the top right hand corner, resulting in the 20 year old racing to the sideline to celebrate with the visitor’s bench.

Shortly after, Daniel Grzic waltzed along the byline and into the area only for the alert defences of City defender Kai Smith to deny Sharks another opportunity.

For the next fifteen minutes, possession and field position were increasingly dominated by City, however the hosts failed to fashion a clear-cut chance against a Sharks side that leads the league in clean sheets this season.

The visitors appeared content to sit on their two goal advantage before an innocuous back pass two minutes from the end of regulation time saw City custodian Matthew Stein slip on the dewy surface.

Lucas pounced for his second of the night, sealing the result into the unguarded goal and edging ahead of Moreton Bay United’s Royce Brownlie in the hunt for the Golden Boot.

The win sees Sharks move 12 points clear atop the NPL Queensland ladder, extending their undefeated run to 12 fixtures.

The three goal margin sees City drop back to tenth behind Redlands United on goal difference.

Brisbane City 0
Palm Beach Sharks 3 (Chris LUCAS 27’p 88’, Rhys LAMBERT 48’)