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

Brisbane City’s inspired first half performance proved enough to earn their first Brisbane derby win of the season on Friday night, holding off fast-finishing Olympic FC 3-2 at Spencer Park.

City claimed a three goal first-half lead courtesy of an early strike to Nick Buckley and brace to Ken Dougall before Olympic nearly salvaged a point with second half goals to Jake McLean and Terry Hughes.

The tense derby atmosphere erupted six minutes into the contest when an early long pass from the back found Nick Buckley, who duly gave the hosts the early advantage.

The 17 year old former City junior controlled well at pace before baring down on Olympic goalkeeper Brandon Cuminao and delivering a composed finish for his third goal of the season.

Half chances fell for Olympic as Tim Smits and McLean saw shots blocked and Kazuya Ito blazed over from distance before Buckley set up City's second on 15 minutes.

The energetic forward slipped a well-sighted pass to midfielder Dougall just outside 20 yards, with last season’s Young Player of the Year firing home a well-placed low shot to double the home side’s advantage.

The open contest produced opportunities at both ends before Olympic were temporarily reduced to ten men when Darren Gray required treatment for a cut to his face.

Upon his return to balance of play tilted toward the visitors as City goalkeeper Matt Stein produced two stunning saves in as many minutes to deny Smits and Reuben Way.

City pounced in the final minute of the half against the run of play – Luca Perico crossing back across goal for Dougall to deliver a pin-point, looping header after Olympic failed to clear from a corner.

Despite the advantage, City immediately found themselves on the back foot following the restart.

A deft free-kick from Way only a minute after the restart forced Stein to tip around the post before McLean pulled a goal back on 51 minutes when the midfielder was found unmarked on 15 yards and delivered a classy finish.

McLean spurned the chance for his second a minute later and was further denied on the hour by Stein after a clever one-two combination with Smits.

Way rocketed a free kick against the crossbar from thirty yards with 20 minutes remaining before being denied by the City wall from another free kick from shorter range soon after.

However, the winger earned reward for a busy performance after winning a battle for a long ball against Perico despite howls of protest from the Spencer Park faithful.

The frustrated defender scrambled to recover but could only bring down Way in the box, allowing Hughes to convert the subsequent penalty and set-up a tense and fiery finale.

The visitors produced several chances to salvage a point but failed to find the target until substitute Mustafa Jafari poked the ball home in injury time only to be dramatically flagged for offside.

The win is City’s first against Brisbane-based opposition this season in four attempts and lifts them one place to tenth in the standings. Olympic remain in fourth.

Brisbane City 3 (Nick BUCKLEY 5’, Ken DOUGALL 15’ 44’)
Olympic FC 2 (Jake MCLEAN 51’, Terry HUGHES 77’pen)