Words: Matt Dorman
Additional Reporting: Laurie Passante
Images: David Lobwein

Gold Coast City have maintained their five-point lead at the top after a professional 3-0 win away to SWQ Thunder on Saturday night.

Eoghan Murphy’s header and Sam Smith’s second half brace put the seal on City’s eighth win in nine matches and ended the hosts’ two-match winning run.

Thunder enjoyed a couple of early opportunities but the visitors took control on the half hour when Murphy nodded in the opener.

Gold Coast stamped their authority following the restart as Smith continued his excellent form with two more beyond the hour.

Grae Piddick’s side will aim to make it nine in 10 away to Brisbane City next weekend while Thunder welcome Brisbane Roar Youth to Toowoomba.

Key Moments

2’ – CHANCE FOR THUNDER – Tom Fanning finds Jacob Bigby just outside the area but he shoots over the crossbar.

21’ – CHANCE FOR THUNDER – Grant connects with Fanning’s free-kick but his header is over the bar.

30’ – GOAL FOR GCC – Eoghan Murphy heads the visitors into the lead from Matt Schmidt’s deep delivery.

36’ – CHANCE FOR GCC – Justyn McKay shoots over from a good area after being picked out by Sam Smith’s smart pass.

40’ – CHANCE FOR GCC – Benjamin Lyvidikos dribbles from the right into the area and flashes a shot just wide of the left upright.

65’ – GOAL FOR GCC – Passante’s mishit clearance falls for Smith, who slides City’s second into the bottom corner.

73’ – CHANCE FOR GCC – Jacob Boutobia hits his free-kick under the wall but it’s dealt with by Passante.

85’ – GOAL FOR GCC – Matt Schmidt carries the ball down the left and crosses for Smith to tap-in at close range.

Match Details

PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland – Round 15
Saturday, 24 June
Clive Berghofer Stadium, Toowoomba

SWQ Thunder FC 0
Gold Coast City FC 3 (Eoghan MURPHY 30’ Sam SMITH 65’, 85’)

Referee – Lara LEE
Assistant Referee – Kehan RYLEY
Assistant Referee – Josh EISER