Round nine brought football back with a bang after the Easter break, with a host of a big matches and big results.

By Tom Beverely

 

Lions FC | 4 – 1 | SWQ Thunder
Lions Stadium

Lions down Thunder

After just 21 minutes SWQ Thunder had the lead when Kimba Kibombo found the back of the net. With a tough task ahead of them, Lions rose to the challenge in the second half. A 12 minute hat-trick to Lions’ Jacob Alexander hammered home three points and keeps Lions in the top four.

The loss is the Toowoomba outfits fourth in five games, having conceded 20 over this period they narrowly sit above the relegation zone.

 

Brisbane Strikers | 4 – 2 | Brisbane City
Perry Park

River City derby: Strikers!

A grudge match between two teams regularly putting their hand up for entrance to the A-League, this derby promised big things - it delivered. After spotting Nathan Archbold off his line, City’s Greg King scored a serious contender for goal of the season from inside his own half, which gave City an early lead in this grudge match. City doubled the lead through Samuel Sibatuara prior to halftime, however Strikers were determined to continue their winning form.

The tide turned in stunning fashion, with goals to Maltby, Clulow, Palmer and McLean as the Strikers piled on four to claim the three points and those all-important derby bragging rights. A stunning turnaround.

 

Western Pride | 3 – 0 | Gold Coast United
Briggs Road Sporting Complex

Pride push on

Another match between two teams who want to step up to the A-League, while Gold Coast United have been loud with their claim, Pride have been a little more subtle. Western Pride continued their strong form, brushing past Gold Coast United in Ipswich. The away side had Reus sent off after four minutes and despite having a penalty saved, Dylan Wenzel-Halls found the back of the net just two minutes later.

Wenzel-Halls had a second midway through the second half and Fraser Hills put the game to bed in the 81^st minute when he bagged a third for the home side.

 

North Queensland United | 1 – 4 | Brisbane Roar Youth
Brolga Park

Roar take a bite out of NQ United

The Roar Youth picked up their first win in four matches in Townsville over the weekend, bouncing back after their 6 – 0 drubbing at the hands of Olympic FC in round eight.

An own goal kicked things off for the Roar, followed by Akbari and Muratovic, who had the visitors up 3 – 0 at the break. Muratovic slotted a second in the 66^th minute. A consolation prize was nabbed in added time for the home side through Eisenhut. The victory adds another loss to NQU who succumbed to their third straight defeat.

 

Sunshine Coast | 1 – 3 | Moreton Bay
Kawana Sports Western Precinct

Jets take aim at Sunshine Coast

After two consecutive defeats Moreton Bay have bounced back to winning ways on the Sunshine Coast. It was a close encounter with Moreton Bay unable to capitalise on a number of chances throughout the match. Despite this, the visitors went into half-time with a 1-0 lead.

A chaotic 60 seconds saw the home side equalise, however the Jets fired themselves back into the lead moments later. Ben Harris put the game to bed for the away side heading home a third to take three points. An improved performance for Sunshine Coast who have had a tough start to the season.

 

Olympic FC | 3 – 0 | Redlands United
Goodwin Park

Olympic strength overcomes defiant Redlands

Redlands have just the single win from their previous six encounters as they currently sit with their head above the relegation zone. The victory continues Olympics’ unbeaten run extending it to nine in total.

Adam Edgar put the home side in front after 17 minutes and Redlands seemed to hang in for the majority of the match, matching it with the ladder leaders. However, it fell apart for the visitors late in the second half as Costa Psaros and Kieran Sanders found the back of the net to seal the points.