Words: Stathi Mihalis & Benjamin Moon
Images: Greg Hamblin

SWQ Thunder scored three goals after the 80th minute in surging to a 3-1 win over Northern Fury at Townsville Sports Reserve.

Benjamin Stanley's 72nd minute goal gave Fury hope of finally securing their first points of the season, but a late Thunder flurry secured the visitors a fifth win of the campaign.

Tensions boiled over midway during the first half as Corey Waples' late tackle sparked a scuffle with both teams having to be separated and cautions being given both ways.

Further drama followed in an action-packed final 20 minutes as Fury faded to a 12th straight defeat, while Thunder rise to within five points of the top four.

Key Moments

14’ - CHANCE FOR THUNDER - Thomas Fanning plays the ball down the line to Majok Piok, who outmuscles Thomas Pearce to win the ball but shoots into the arms of Fury goalkeeper Luke Macdonald.

16’ - CHANCE FOR FURY - Corey Waples shoots over from the top of the box following a short-corner routine.

32’ - CHANCE FOR THUNDER - Hamish Cassady’s clearance from the corner falls to Jackson Franke, whose first time volley narrowly misses the right upright of the Fury goal.

37’ - CHANCE FOR THUNDER - Mustafa Jafari receives a pass from Piok but his effort from the edge of the area cannons back off the crossbar.

45’ - CHANCE FOR FURY - Matthew Richards, George Dalton, and Jae Eurell combine to tee-up Benjamin Stanley, but his shot is held by Luke Borean.

72’ - GOAL FOR FURY - Benjamin Stanley controls Jonathon Bagley's pass and hits a searing low strike past Borean from outside the area.

80’ - CHANCE FOR THUNDER – Majok Piok beats the offside trap and approaches Luke Macdonald one-on-one, but the keeper stands tall and makes a great save with his feet.

81’ - GOAL FOR THUNDER - Thomas Fanning cuts inside from the right, beats both Fury central defenders and calmly slots past Luke Macdonald into the bottom right corner.

89’ - GOAL FOR THUNDER - Piok latches on to Nykodah Smith's ball in behind the Fury defence and finishes tidily beyond Macdonald.

90'+3 - GOAL FOR THUNDER - Macdonald heads forward for a late free-kick, leaving his goal exposed when a mixup allows Piok to shoot from inside his own half. Smith gets to the loose ball first and walks it into the Fury net.

What They Said

“There were a few positives there but disappointed in the way we surrendered at the end. We have to keep working hard, there is no easily formula. It has to come from within the group, myself and my coaches to install belief back into the team. That was the disappointing thing about tonight, we took the lead and we didn't show that belief that we could win the game.” – Ian Ferguson, Northern Fury FC coach.

“When you come on the road against a well-coached side, we had to show some character. When we went down one nil, we changed our shape which was good enough to get back in the game and take the lead. They threw it all forward at the end which opened it up to get the third at the end.” - Chris McLeod, SWQ Thunder FC coach.

Match Details

Playstation 4 National Premier League 2016 – Round 12

Saturday, 28 May
Townsville Sports Reserve

Northern Fury FC – 1 (Benjamin STANLEY 72’)
SWQ Thunder FC – 3 (Thomas FANNING 81’ Majok PIOK 89’ Nykodah SMITH 90’+3)

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Match Officials – Rachel Mitchenson (referee), Graham Buzzi (assistant), Liam O’Connor (assistant), David Wiebe (fourth)