Words: Jason Hall
Image: Keith Eigeland/Football Queensland

A first half penalty proved decisive as Brisbane Roar NYL edge South West Queensland Thunder at Clive Berghofer Stadium on Saturday.

Roar winger Conor O’Neill converted from the spot kick twenty minutes into the contest to lift a young Roar side to their second straight win.

The visitors dominated early possession but failed to produce a genuine chance until Thunder right back Alex Eelkema’s challenge resulted in the penalty

The teams cancelled each other out for long periods, before Thunder saw their best chance to equalise immediately prior to half time when Ben Watt headed over the bar from Ryan Ensor’s free-kick.

The pattern continued in the second half with Roar controlling the bulk of possession but unable to create clear cut scoring opportunities.  

The hosts created more attacking chances as the match wore on, however the final pass eluded Thunder.

On 68 minutes Harry Scott ran onto a well-weighted through ball from Tom Fanning, however thecut-back couldn’t pick out the run of left winger Anthony Grant.

With seven minutes remaining Scott turned provider for Fanning, however the delivery again failed to pick out Grant inside the box.

Midfielder Daniel Fuller’s strike from long range in injury time sailed just over the crossbar to deny Thunder their first point of the campaign.

SWQ Thunder 0
Brisbane Roar NYL 1 (Conor O'NEILL 20'p)