Words: Aaron Cooper
Additional reporting: Stephen Pitman
Photo: Brisbane Strikers FC

Premiers Brisbane Strikers have had their season ended by Moreton Bay United who recorded a 3-1 semi-final win at Perry Park on Saturday night.

The Strikers defeated the Jets twice during the regular season, but the Jets stole the one that matters and move through to next weekend’s grand final where they will face Western Pride.

Not only had the Jets not taken a point off the Strikers this season, they hadn’t found the back of the net – that all changed just 10 minutes into the contest.

The home side were unable to clear their lines from a corner and there was little debuting goalkeeper Mitchell Thorn could do when Matthew Byrne pounced a drove a shot into the back of the net.

Less than 60 seconds later and the visitors were in dreamland and Byron Sinnerton broke on the counter, before crossing into the centre where Declan Smith converted after a parried shot.

The home side weren’t without their chances with both Luke Marsh and Michael Lee both forcing Jordan Thurtell into saves in the first half, with Hiroki Omori doing similar shortly after the break.

The Jets appeared to have the game in the bag just before the hour mark when an errand backpass allowed Smith to slot home his second goal of the night.

An own goal in stoppage time from Byrne took some polish off the result, but it mattered little as the Jets move on to next weekend’s decider.

Key Moments

10’ – GOAL TO JETS – The Strikers defence fails to clear a corner kick and Matthew Byrne pounces to drive a shot from close range past debutant goalkeeper Mitchell Thorn.

11’ – GOAL TO JETS – Byron Sinnerton gets away down the right win on the counter attack and crosses. Thorn parries the first shot but Declan Smith gets to the rebound first to score into an empty net.

26’ – CHANCE FOR STRIKERS – Fullback Sam Knight picks out Luke Marsh with a cross to the back post but Marsh scuffs his volley straight to Jets goalkeeper Jordan Thurtell.

37’ – CHANCE FOR STRIKERS – Midfielder Michael Lee lines up a 20-yard shot that he strikes with venom, only to see Thurtell dive full-length to his right to palm the shot away.

49’ – CHANCE FOR STRIKERS – Hiroki Omori’s driven low cross is met by Jeremy Stewarts' outstretched boot and the chance flies inches wide.

58’ – GOAL FOR JETS – Greig Henslee’s high backpass puts Thorn in trouble and his skied attempted clearance falls to a Jets forward who passes for Smith to again score into an empty net.

90+1’ – GOAL FOR STRIKERS – Omori gets to the byline and crosses low and hard for Byrne to deflect the ball into his own net from close range.

Match Details

PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland 2017 – Semi-final 1
Saturday, August 26
Perry Park

Brisbane Strikers 1 (O.G. 90+1’)

Moreton Bay United 3 (Matthew BYRNE 10’, Declan SMITH 11’, 58’)