Strikers Stage Heroic Comeback Win
Words: Josh Davies
Additional Reporting/Images: Stephan Pitman
Brisbane Strikers have reignited the premiership chase following a dramatic 3-2 win over ladder leaders Gold Coast City at a vocal Perry Park on Saturday night.
Strikers led early through a Hiroki Omori piece of brilliance that would set the tone for an eventful top of the table clash.
Gold Coast came out from the half-time break full of energy with Jarrod Kyle notching a brace in the opening minutes to stun the reigning premiers.
Strikers regained momentum as the half wore on, continuously asking questions of the sturdy City defence, who held out until the 81st minute when Gregory Cheshire pounced on a Sam Knight cross to level the score.
With premiership hopes in the balance it was Jake Mclean who rose to the occasion with an outrageous, ice-cool winner that floated into the top corner from 18-yards for a last-gasp winner.
Strikers now sit two points adrift of Gold Coast in the hunt for top of table honours.
Gold Coast will hope to solidify that two-point gap in Round 17 when they host Redlands United whilst Strikers head to the Sunshine Coast to face bottom of the ladder Fire.
Key Moments
7’ - GOAL FOR STRIKERS – Hiroki Omori collects a pass on the wing, jinks inside, and blasts an unstoppable shot into the top corner from 25-yards.
8’ – CHANCE FOR BOTH SIDES – Claims for a penalty by GCC but waved away by referee King, Matthew Stein then saves a Michael Lee thunderbolt at the other end.
20’ – CHANCE FOR GCC – Ben Lyvidikos crosses low towards Sam Smith, who sends the ball inches wide of the upright.
46’ - CHANCE FOR GCC – Smith crosses low for Lyvidikos who glances his back post header wide with the goal gaping.
48’ - GOAL FOR GCC – Smith crosses low for Jarrod Kyle for a close-range tap in to equalise. .
57’ - GOAL FOR GCC – Corner kick is met by a leaping Kyle header that gives Strikers goalkeeper Zac Speedy no chance.
60’ – CHANCE FOR STRIKERS – Jake Mclean’s dipping free kick rattles the crossbar.
72’ - CHANCE FOR STRIKERS – Mclean gets in behind and cuts back a pass for Lee whose shot from eight yards is saved by a sprawling Stein.
81’ – GOAL FOR STRIKERS – Sam Knight gets free down the right and squares a low cross to Gregory Cheshire to finish first-time at the near post.
89’ - GOAL FOR STRIKERS – Strikers surge forward again as Lee’s pass finds Mclean, who curls a breathtaking looping shot into the top corner from the edge of the area.
Match Details
PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues Queensland – Round 16
Saturday, July 1
Perry Park
Brisbane Strikers FC 3 (Omori HIROKI 7’, Gregory CHESHIRE 81’, Jake MCLEAN 89’)
Gold Coast City FC 2 (Jarrod KYLE 48’ 57’)
Referee – Alex KING
Assistant – James SHERRY
Assistant – Joey LEE
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