Words: Nick Crockford, Moreton Bay United
Image: Michelle Maclachlan, Moreton Bay United

A hat-trick from Andy Butler has guided Lions FC to a shock 5-2 win over Moreton Bay United in the Football Queensland Cup at Wolter Park on Wednesday night.

The visitors, who compete in the Brisbane Premier League, one tier below the National Premier Leagues, created chances throughout, but needed three goal in the final three minutes to clinch a place in the next round.

Jets went ahead after just four minutes when Charles Medy tapped in at the far post from a corner kick.

Lions immediately hit back with Butler, Kentaro Ishikawa and Ramone Close all denied by fine saves from Jets’ keeper Mario Aparicio

The chances continued for both sides - Ishikawa, Close and Greg Thomas for Lions and Mendy and Royce Brownlie for Jets unable to break the deadlock prior to halftime.

After the restart, Thomas clipped the outside of the post for Lions, before Butler Butler struck the first of his three goals on 55 minutes - firing in from 12 yards to put the visitors ahead for the first time.

Jets rallied through Jared Austin who saw a shot tipped over the crossbar before setting up Ryota Nakaooka, on the six-yard line, but he was unable to control the pass.

Chris Maticic and Matthew Capello also tried their luck, but Lions struck on the break after 86 minutes as Butler contributed his second.

Brodie Kenyon made it 4-1 seconds later in similar fashion only for Austen to pull one back from an angled free-kick which he drilled across goal into the top corner.

However, hopes of a late Jets’ recovery were dashed in added time when a free-kick wide on the Lions’ left skidded across the area and Butler hammered home at the far post to seal his hat-trick and the result in Lions’ favour.

Moreton Bay United 2 (Charles MENDY 4’, Jared AUSTEN 88’)
Lions FC (Kentaro ISHIKAWA 14’, Andy BUTLER 55’, 86’, 90’, Brodie KENYON 87’)