Words: Michael Flynn
Additional Reporting: Sam Flanagan
Images: Patrick Kearney

Brisbane Strikers have cracked the top four for the first time in 2016 following a commanding 4-0 win over Olympic FC at Goodwin Park.

Strikers shared the spoils in front of goal with former Olympic players Rhys Meredith and Jake McLean bookending the scoring against their former club, while Shaun Carlos and Trent Clulow also chimed in.

The win is Strikers third in a row and lifts last year’s Grand Finalists to third on the table. It also marks a second consecutive clean sheet for Strikers goalkeeper Sebastian Usai.

For Olympic the result is a fourth straight defeat – their worst in four seasons of PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues – and a third loss in a Brisbane derby this season.

Key Moments

26’ – CHANCE FOR STRIKERS - Trent Clulow shoots from 16 yards past an onrushing Olympci goalkeeper Nicholas Mooney but Mark Fisk is on hand to clear off the line

29’ – GOAL FOR STRIKERS – A poorly directed pass out from the back by Olympic finds Rhys Meredith who runs in and blasts home from close range

32’ – CHANCE FOR STRIKERS – Jake Maclean lashes a shot from eight yards that clatters into the crossbar and is cleared away

44’ – CHANCE FOR OLYMPIC – Daniel Byrne’s cross picks out Lachlan Munn in the box but his shot is stopped by a sharp save from Strikers goalkeeper Sebastian Usai

60’ – GOAL FOR STRIKERS – The visitors swarm into the Olympic penalty area and after forcing a save from Nicholas Mooney and a block on the line from Mark Fisk, Shaun Carlos buries it into the back of the net at the third attempt

64’ – GOAL FOR STRIKERS – Fluid passing sees the ball ultimately find its way to Trent Clulow, who tucks it home from close range to cap off a smart team goal

90+3’ – GOAL FOR STRIKERS - Jake Maclean finds himself with ample time and space 20 yards out and rifles the ball into the bottom corner to round out the result

What They Said

“There is talent within the squad but there is a few young players but obviously there are a few young players still being blooded in. As they say, we need to be gelling. Once that gets established I’m sure we can get the ball rolling.“ - Abel Fessaha, Olympic FC

“It’s always good to score against your old club. I probably should’ve had a few more but we got the win tonight so we move on. I was going to go to the bench and celebrate but I thought I should hold it back.“ – Rhys Meredith, Brisbane Strikers FC

Match Details

PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues 2016 – Round 6
Sunday, April 10
Goodwin Park, Brisbane

Brisbane Strikers FC 4 defeat Olympic FC 0

Olympic Goals – none
Olympic Yellow Cards – Brad SCOTT 66’
Olympic Red Cards – none

Olympic Squad – 1. Nicholas MOONEY, 2. Liam O’BRYAN, 3. Mark FISK, 5. Scott BOW (17. Youeil SHOL 78’), 6. Matt MUNDY (7. Logan GRILLO 65’), 9. Lachlan MUNN (12. Ryan RODERICK 70’), 10. Daniel BYRNE, 13. Brad SCOTT, 15. Sam CRONIN, 18. Matthew GORDON, 19. Abel FESSEHA
Olympic Unused – 14. Kosi YANNAKOPOULOS, 20. Dakota SPRANGE

Strikers Goals – Rhys MEREDITH 24’, Shaun CARLOS 60’, Trent CLULOW 63’, Jake MCLEAN 90+3’
Strikers Yellow Cards – Greig HENSLEE 30’
Strikers Red Cards – none

Strikers Squad – 1. Sebastian USAI, 2. Christopher MAHER, 4. Jake MARSHALL, 5. Greig HENSLEE, 7. Shelford DAIS (10. Alistair DAVIS 66’), 8. Michael ANGUS, 9. Rhys MEREDITH, 12. Shaun CARLOS (15. Jesse WIEMERS 85’), 13. Sam KNIGHT, 14. Jake MCLEAN, 18. Trent CLULOW
Strikers Unused – 6. Fraser HILLS, 20. Michael WEIER

Match Officials – Daniel ELDER (referee), Daniel OLSEN (assistant), Max CRANE (assistant), Brad BURTON (fourth)