Words: Matt Dorman
Image: Northern Fury FC

Brisbane City overcame two Northern Fury fightbacks to return to winning ways with a dramatic 3-2 victory at Ingham Showgrounds.

Darren Walker and Matthew Richards both equalised in search of Fury’s first points of the season but a late Mitchell Hore header secured a first win in three matches for John Kosmina’s side.

After Samuel Sibatuara failed to convert an early penalty, City took the lead on two occasions through Nathan Bird and Jason Park before Hore delivered the final blow to end the visitors’ two-match losing run.

Fury’s night soured further when Jonathon Bagley received a second yellow card late in the match as the club’s record losing streak stretches to seven matches.

Key Moments

6’ – CHANCE FOR FURY – Sam Herlihy plays a nice ball in behind City defence to Richards who rounds the keeper but hits his shot over the bar.

26’ – CITY PENALTY MISS – Samuel Sibatuara steps up to the spot after a Fury defender is penalised for a challenge in the area, but Luke MacDonald makes a strong save to his right.

34’ – GOAL FOR CITY – Nathan Bird chests down a ball over the top of the defence and sidefoots his finish past MacDonald.

40’ – GOAL FOR FURY – City’s defence is unable to clear Corey Waples’ set-piece delivery and Darren Walker taps home at the back post.

45’ – GOAL FOR CITY – Jason Park receives a long ball from midfield and calmly restores City’s lead on the stroke of half-time.

60’ – GOAL FOR FURY – Matthew Richards pounces on Timothy Allen’s poor clearance and makes the goalkeeper pay with an unerring finish.

83’ – GOAL FOR CITY – Murray receives the ball out wide and picks out Mitchell Hore’s well-timed run as the midfielder heads home from around six yards.

What They Said

“Earlier in the game, in the first-half, we were absolutely all over them. I feel like we were very unlucky not to be two, three, four goals ahead. I feel that’s most weeks – we have a lot of chances every game, we’re just not being clinical enough at the moment. Hopefully that turns sooner rather than later.” – Luke MacDonald, Northern Fury FC goalkeeper.

“I was quite happy with how they went about their task. They (City’s players) were good. We knocked the ball around well, I think we got into some good areas. We need to be a little bit more clinical and a little bit more decisive in that penalty area.” – John Kosmina, Brisbane City FC coach.

Match Details

PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues 2016 – Round 7
Saturday, 16 April
Ingham Showgrounds, Ingham

Brisbane City FC 3 defeat Northern Fury FC 2

Fury Goals – Darren WALKER 40’, Matthew RICHARDS 60’
Fury Yellow Cards – Jonathon BAGLEY 19’ 88’, Matthew RICHARDS 52’, Caleb HOBSON 59’, Darren WALKER 80’, Michael EISENHUT 84’
Fury Red Cards – Jonathon BAGLEY 88’

Fury Squad – 1. Luke MACDONALD, 2. Caleb HOBSON, 4. George DALTON, 9. Matthew RICHARDS, 11. Jonathon BAGLEY, 12. Benjamin STANLEY (10. Michael EISENHUT 64’), 13. Mitchell MAHER (19. Jordan ZABEL 85’), 14. Samuel HERLIHY, 15. Corey WAPLES, 17. Hamish CASSADY (8. Jae EURELL 83’), 18. Darren WALKER
Fury Unused – 20. Ryan MURPHY

City Goals – Nathan BIRD 34’, Jason PARK 45’, Mitchell HORE 83’
City Yellow Cards – Motoki KAKEHI 79’
City Red Cards – none

City Squad – 1. Timothy ALLEN, 2. Greg KING, 6. Luke PAVLOU, 7. Nathan BIRD, 8. Mathew BIGGINS, 9. Antonio MURRAY, 13. Jason PARK (14. Jean-Mike JABO 79’), 15. Kai BARNES, 17. Samuel SIBATUARA (10. Scot COULSON 73’), 18. Motoki KAKEHI (5. Joshua CRONK 85’), 19. Mitchell HORE
City Unused – 20. Jake CLANCY

Match Officials – Graham BUZZI (referee), Jack NICOLOSI (assistant), Patrick HARTSUYKER (assistant), Liam O’CONNOR (fourth official)