Sharks Find Form Against Thunder
Words: Michael Flynn
Image: Paul Smith/SWQ Thunder FC
Palm Beach SC scored three second half goals as they returned to winning ways with a dominant 3-0 win over SWQ Thunder at West Wanderers Football Club on Saturday.
Sharks dominated the contest throughout, securing the win on the back of goals to Justyn McKay, Florian Matk and Ethan Grimley to consign Thunder to a fourth straight PlayStation® 4 NPL Queensland defeat.
Following an inconsistent start to their title defence, Sharks started the match with intent against the bottom-placed Thunder and dominated possession.
The visitors created plenty of chances but failed to call upon Thunder goalkeeper Jayden Formosa in the first half as striker Jarrod Kyle and defender Eoghan Murphy both headed over the crossbar.
Kyle later hit the side-netting twice from close quarters as the teams remained locked at half-time, with Thunder creating few scoring opportunities.
The visitors finally found the breakthrough shortly after the restart when McKay pounced on a Thunder defensive error - the Sharks skipper delivering a composed finish to open accounts.
Matk doubled the advantage after also benefitting from a loose ball, driving home a left-footed strike with twenty minutes remaining.
Substitute Grimley then sealed the result in time added on for Sharks third win from six games this season.
Speaking post-match, Sharks coach Grae Piddick said he was pleased to see his side bounce back from a lacklustre display against Sunshine Coast FC last weekend.
“We’re weren’t very good at all last week so there was a lot of players out there that really wanted to make sure their performance was far better than last week and I think we played some good stuff at times,” he said.
Thunder coach Chris Wilkes said his side had regained some respect in their performance, despite still searching for their first PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland win of 2015.
“I think most people understand that any of these games we’re going to be up against it. But you got to give credit to the guys - they get stuck in and they give it their all,” he said.
SWQ Thunder FC 0
Palm Beach SC 3 (Justyn MCKAY 52’, Florian Matk 71’, Ethan GRIMLEY 90+2’)
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