Words: Michael Flynn
Additional Reporting: Jennifer Thompson
Images: Pine Creek Pictures

FNQ FC Heat struck twice on the counter-attack to see off a determined Brisbane Roar Youth 2-1 at Barlow Park and maintain their unbeaten start to the season.

Heat opened accounts early in the second half via Darcy McCormack before skipper Jamie Carroll doubled the lead shortly after with his sixth goal of the campaign.

Despite the heavy rain in the build-up, Young Roar’s passing game proved relatively unaffected by the soggy surface; however the visitors were ultimately left frustrated by a resolute Heat defensive effort despite pulling a goal back via Jayden Prasad midway through the second half.

The result sees Heat maintaining their lead atop the competition table – marking a third straight win and extending their unbeaten start to the season to seven games.

Key Moments

14’ – CHANCE FOR YOUNG ROAR – Nicholas D’Agostino strikes the post from a curling free-kick from 20 yards out

17’ – GOAL FOR HEAT – A three-pronged counter-attack Jamie Carrol’s pass is flicked on by Keiran Sanders to Darcy McCormack, who slots a composed finish past Young Roar goalkeeper Andre Jannese

21’ – GOAL FOR HEAT – Ari Isman croses into Jamie Caroll whose initial shot is parried by Andre Jannese but Carroll quickly pounces on the second chance and tucks in the finish

26’ – CHANCE FOR YOUNG ROAR – Joe Caletti lines up a free-kick from just outside the penalty area but it fades across the face of goal

30’ – CHANCE FOR YOUNG ROAR – Nathan Konstandopoulos delivers a well-struck attempt but Heat goalkeeper Kevin Ward holds the shot

35’ – CHANCE FOR HEAT – Joshua Pin controls smartly with the chest from Kieran Sanders cross but can’t find the target with the ensuing strike

45’ – CHANCE FOR YOUNG ROAR – Nicholas D’Agostino again threatens from a free-kick just prior to half-time but the shot glances the post

47’ – CHANCE FOR YOUNG ROAR – A determined run by Nicholas D’Agostino into the penalty area before he lays off to Nathan Konstandopoulos who strikes the ball crisply but sends it high

57’ – CHANCE FOR YOUNG ROAR – Joseph Champness attempts to curl the ball past Kevin Ward but the Heat shot-stopper makes a full stretched save

69’ – GOAL FOR YOUNG ROAR – Nicholas Panetta crosses in to Jayden Prasad, who slams the ball into the back of the net

What They Said

“We knew that they would have the ball for big periods of this game. We knew we would have to be patient but we always thought we could catch them on the counter – and in the first half we did the job.“ – Tim Campbell ,FNQ FC Heat coach

“We were by far the better team this afternoon and to be fair the only thing that was missing was a couple of goals. That’s something we need to keep working on. But in context of the performance the boys controlled the game in every single way except for putting the ball in the back of the net.“ – Josh McCloughan, Brisbane Roar FC Youth captain

Match Details

PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues 2016 – Round 7
Saturday, April 16
Barlow Park, Cairns

FNQ FC Heat 2 defeat Brisbane Roar FC Youth 1

Heat Goals – Darcy MCCORMACK 17’, Jamie CARROLL 21’
Heat Yellow Cards – Bronson KOPPEN 40’, Kieran SANDERS 53’
Heat Red Cards – none

Heat Squad – 1. Kevin WARD, 2. Shaun OWENS, 3. Shimon WATANABE, 4. Charlie BEVERLEY, 5. Ari ISMAN, 6. Jamie GOSLING, 7. Joshua PIN, 9. Jamie CARROLL (8. Christopher O’HARE 70’), 10. Kieran SANDERS (13. Mqondisi NKIWANE 85’), 11. Darcy MCCORMACK, 16. Bronson KOPPEN
Heat Unused – 12. Cameron NUCIFORA, 15. Matthew FILIP, 20. Joshua WILSON

Young Roar Goals – Jayden PRASAD 68’
Young Roar Yellow Cards – Jesse DALEY 12’
Young Roar Red Cards – none

Young Roar Squad – 1. Andre JANNESE, 2. Jaiden WALKER, 3. Cameron CRESTANI, 4. Mark RODIC, 5. Matthew SCHMIDT, 6. Joe CALETTI, .7. Dane INGHAM (11. Jayden PRASAD 53’), 8. Nathan KONSTANDOPOULOS (23. Nicholas PANETTA 64’), 9. Nicholas D’AGOSTINO, 12. Joseph CHAMPNESS, 15. Jesse DALEY
Young Roar Unused – 20. Tomislav BILIC, 21. Tommy JARRAD

Match Officials – Lara LEE (referee), Chris DAWSON (assistant), Chris DOHERTY-FISHER (assistant), Lee MACMASTER (fourth)