Words: Michael Flynn
Additional Reporting: Mark Guy
Images: Duncan McKenna

Gold Coast City’s PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland Finals Series push is back on track after overcoming an early send-off to shock FNQ Heat 4-0 at Duncan McKenna Field.

A double inside the opening five minutes from Rhys Saunders had the league-leading Heat reeling before City saw their advantage stifled as Riley Dillon was dismissed after receiving two yellow cards in the space of two minutes midway through the half.

However, the visitors proved unable to make headway against City’s depleted defences and fell further behind when they conceded again from the penalty spot via Roman Hofmann early in the second stanza.

Substitute Jaiden Walker then iced the result for City in the closing stages – netting his first goal since his mid-season move from Brisbane Roar Youth.

The win serves as a major boost for City’s hopes of a top four finish – ending a three match losing streak while also marking their first clean sheet of the season.

For Heat, the result serves as a wake-up call in their quest for maiden silverware and could cut their lead atop the table cut to just a single point depending on the round’s other results.

Key Moments

2’ – GOAL FOR CITY – Benjamin Lyvidikos wins out in a fifty-fifty battle for the ball and lays off to Rhys Saunders, who hits a low left-footed shot past diving Heat goalkeeper Kevin Ward

5’ – GOAL FOR CITY – A scramble in the penalty area sees the ball fall kindly for Saunders at close range and his ensuing shot bounces over Ward to double the advantage

17’ – CHANCE FOR CITY – Justyn McKay looks to add another but his powerful strike from 15 yards is deflected high for a corner

19’ – CHANCE FOR HEAT – Jamie Carroll makes a down the left but his shot is directed straight at City goalkeeper Shane Viitakangas

21’ – RED CARD FOR CITY – Riley Dillon is issued his second yellow card in the space of two minutes and is given his marching orders

35’ – CHANCE FOR HEAT – Carroll threatens from a free-kick but his strike hits the crossbar

55’ – GOAL FOR CITY – A powerful throw from Viitakangas releases Saunders, who surges into the penalty area before being brought down by Tamas Maffey-Stumpe. Roman Hofmann converts from the ensuring spot kick by sending Ward the wrong way

80’ – GOAL FOR CITY – Jordon Lampard shakes a defender before centring the ball to Jaiden Walker to slot home the finish and seal the win

What They Said

“It was a great result against a team that’s top of the league and especially playing the majority of the game with ten men. So all around everyone’s really happy with the win.“ – Justyn McKay, Gold Coast City FC captain

“We maybe over-committed a bit (with the extra man). We knew Gold Coast are a good team on the break and they caught us out twice with that. It was a well deserved win for Gold Coast and they wanted it a lot more than us. So there’s no complaints at all really from us.“ – Tim Campbell, FNQ FC Heat coach

Match Details

PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues 2016 – Round 15

Saturday, June 25
Duncan McKenna Field, Gold Coast

Gold Coast City FC – 4 (Rhys SAUNDERS 2’ 5’, Roman Hofmann 55’p, Jaiden WALKER 80’)
FNQ FC Heat – 0

Match Centre – http://bit.ly/28QMjMt

Match Officials - Nathan MACDONALD (referee), Mitchell MILLER (assistant), Thomas CULLANE (assistant), Samuel OSBORNE (fourth)