Words: Michael Flynn

Brisbane Strikers advanced to the Semi-Final stage of the BLK Silver Boot on Tuesday night, while Olympic FC closed their campaign with a high-scoring win.

 

 

Strikers Storm Into Semi-Finals

Brisbane Strikers extended their perfect run of results in the BLK Silver Boot, downing Brisbane Premier League outfit Mitchelton FC 3-1.

The goals were shared between a trio of Strikers’ off-season attacking recruits as Shaun Carlos and Alistair Davis added to Rhys Meredith’s first-half opener.

Despite failing to make the most of their early chances – Sam Knight striking the crossbar and Jesse Wiemers unable to convert with a penalty – Strikers dominated large portions of the contest.

Meredith fashioned the breakthrough as the half drew to a close with a sharp finish on the turn, however Mitchelton replied before the break when Bryce Cuschieri bettered Strikers goalkeeper Seb Usai one-on-one.

Strikers restored their advantage prior to the hour when Meredith turned provider for Carlos to convert a composed finish after controlling sharply from the cross.

Substitute Davis then made sure of the win after his run was picked out by Trent Clulow and the striker dispatched the finish.

The result sees Strikers top Group A in the pre-season tournament and they will face the winner of Group B.

Brisbane Strikers FC  3 (Rhys MEREDITH 37’, Shaun CARLOS 58’, Alistair DAVIS 70’)
Mitchelton FC  1 (Bryce CUSCHIERI 41’)

Olympic Ride The Lightning

Sam Cronin and Matt Heath struck a brace apiece as Olympic FC concluded their BLK Silver Boot campaign with a see-sawing 5-3 win over Brisbane Premier League side Logan Lightning.

Cronin opened accounts inside the opening minute with a slotted finish, but Lightning responded instantly when Alex Warrilow equalised by latching on to a direct pass that caught out Olympic's defence

However, Olympic soon regained their advantage as Cronin delivered his third brace in a fortnight - a considered build-up teeing up the midfielder inside the penalty area.

Heath snuck in behind Lightning's defences prior to half-time and converted an angled shot to double the advantage then pounced again barely a minute after the restart to add his second.

A minute later, Heath then turned provider to effectively wrap up the win - delivering a cutback to enable Youeil Shol to turn in a first-time effort at close range.

Olympic's inexperienced backline conceded twice later in the half as Lightning picked apart their off-side trap to net a pair of consolation goals - Warrilow rounding out his brace and Sam Peacock closing his tournament with the final goal of the match.

However, the result wasn't enough for Olympic to advance to the Semi Final stage of the tournament - ending three points behind Strikers in Group A.

Olympic FC  5 (Sam CRONIN 1' 10', Matt HEATH 27' 46', Youeil SHOL 47', )
Logan Lightning FC  3 (Alexander WARRILOW 3’ 50', Sam PEACOCK 66')