Words: Michael Flynn
Image: Steven Gibson Photography

Brisbane Strikers ensured bragging rights for another year after completing a derby treble over Brisbane City with a 3-1 win at Perry Park on Saturday night.

All four goals came in the second half as Strikers secured the points on the back of goals to David Salin, Scot Coulson and Jheison Macauce, who now moves into equal first in Golden Boot standings with nine league goals.

The result marks the third time Strikers have accounted for their near neighbours in 2015 - prevailing in March in their first PlayStation® 4 NPL Queensland meeting and also eliminating City from the Westfield FFA Cup.

Despite being unfancied coming into the contest the first chance fell to City inside the opening minute of the match - Antonio Murray failing to turn in a cross from Anthony Poljak with the goal at his mercy.

Approaching the quarter hour and Strikers also failed the grasp the opener as Macauce struck the post and Fraser Hills sent his follow-up strike high of the target.

City created further opportunities for Ryan Roderick and Koh Satake as the half progressed, however also caused a pair of nervous moments for goalkeeper Matt Stein with a pair of ill-judged back-passes in defence.

Immediately prior to half-time the visitors were forced to see off a concerted goal-mouth scramble from Strikers to ensure the teams remained locked goalless at the break.

Strikers upped the ante after the restart with several half-chances before finding the breakthrough just after 50 minutes - defender Salin guided home a touch from Hills from the edge of the penalty area.

The hosts continued to apply pressure in City’s third before a solid strike from Macuace forced a sharp save from Stein with a quarter hour remaining.

Despite increasingly taking control of the contest, Strikers had to wait until the final ten minutes to finally double their advantage - Coulson delivering his third goal of the campaign after being teed up by Macuace.

The visitors hinted at a comeback in the final minutes when Kai Smith pounced on a save from Strikers goalkeeper Michael Weier to halve the deficit.

However, Macuace delivered a near-instant reply by turning home Coulson’s cross to seal the points in favour of the hosts.

The result was made worse for City as Stein received a quick-fire pair of yellow cards to force the visitors to finish the match a player down and without a recognised goalkeeper.

Speaking post-match, City coach Darron Heseldon praised his team’s late push and said they were disappointed to not at least claim a share of the points.

“The fact that we went two-nil down and we got back to two-one with four to go, we were of the belief we were going to grab a point and we thought we were good value,” he said.

Brisbane Strikers FC  3 (David SALIN 52’, Scot COULSON 81’, Jheison MACUACE 90’)
Brisbane City  1 (Kai SMITH 88’)