Queensland State League: Round Four

It was a big week for the QSL with a spectacular performance from the Strikers at Perry Park and the Sunshine Coast Fire extending their winning streak.





Brisbane Strikers vs Capricorn Cougars
7-0

It was a 7-0 football lesson for the Cougars on Saturday night at Perry Park, with the Strikers showcasing the depth of their attack and composed possession in defence to come away with the flashy win.

Going up 2-0 at half time, the Strikers took the game away from the Cougars in the second half with an impressive display from the entire side on their home turf.

Though, the standout was striker Chris Di Sipio, who knocked home the first goal in just the second minute and continued his flamboyant style of attack to produce an inspiring hat-trick later in the match. As well as an unfortunate own goal by Cougars midfielder Matt Sauer, other Brisbane goal scorer’s included Matt Thurtell, and off the bench, Brad McDonald and Gareth Musson.

The young Cougar side, a majority of whom are under 21, didn’t know what hit them as the Strikers dominated in all areas of the field.

Cougars goal keeper Tim English did his best to keep the goal count down, but the waves of Brisbane forwards just kept coming.

If this is what a Strikers side can do so early in the season, imagine what they’ll be like if they improve by the finals.

Sunshine Coast Fire vs Southern Cross United
3-0

The Fire took a decisive 3-0 win at Bokarina, notching up their fourth straight win, and securing their place at top of the QSL ladder.

Sunshine Coast captain Tyson Holmes led his team all the way, picking up two goals, the first coming in the 36th minute and the second off a controversial penalty kick. And if that wasn’t enough he helped set up the third, with his pin-point cross put away by flying winger James Stinson.

Fire’s Shaun Blackman and Leon Dwyer supported well in the midfield and had a handful of chances to extend the lead.

After last year’s success, the 3-0 win has already prompted speculation in the league that the Fire can take the 2011 QSL title too.

Queensland Academy of Sport vs Far North Queensland Bulls
2-2
On an overcast Sunday afternoon at Meakin Park the Queensland Academy of Sport and Far North Queensland Bulls went head-to-head in search of their first win of the 2011 season.

Playing deep within their half at the start of the match, it seemed that QAS were not going to play an attacking brand of football and with the Bulls constantly testing their defence, it felt as though Far North Queensland were most likely to notch up their first win.

Though the talented up and comers from Academy were not to be underestimated.

Elliot Ronto had the breakthrough, banging home a goal in the 43rd minute after a nice cross from Brandon Borello across the face of the goal.

Then in a lapse of concentration, a pass back to the Academy keeper was intercepted by the Bulls’ attacking midfielder, Josiah Rusch, who put a nice move on the keeper to level the game at 1-1, just seconds before the half-time whistle.

Seconds after the restart, QAS took back the lead with QAS’s Koh Satake flicking a back heel pass to forward Jacob McLean in the goal square who put the ball safely at the back of the net.

However the match finished in a thrilling 2-2 draw, thanks to some nice footwork and speed up front, from Far North Queensland’s pint-sized Josh De Nittis, who equalised with a nice volley over the keeper’s head.

For a full match report and photos click here!



Thanks to Football Queensland and Chris Paul for the footage.


Gold Coast Stars vs North Queensland Razorbacks
2-1

Playing at home, the Stars took a well-earned 2-1 win on Sunday afternoon against the firing Razorbacks.

The win puts the Gold Coast side within the top four on the QSL ladder.

Looking to be the stronger team on the field, forwards Matt Hilton and Shaun Robinson tested the Razorbacks keeper.

But it wasn’t until the 20th minute that Robinson got one past the NQ defence, thanks to a great solo effort by Nikki Felizatto setting up the chance.

The Stars strikers Matt Hilton and Shaun Robinson both looked threatening up front but missed their shots on goal.

Going into the second half and NQ wanted an equaliser. In the 53rd minute they got it with Jacob Crowley making easy work of the tiring Stars defence to make it 1-1.

However the joy was short-lived.

Gold Coast’s Matt Hilton came up with the winning goal in the 70th minute sending a nice strike from the edge of the box, into the net.

POS		TEAM	P	PTS
1		Sunshine Coast FC	4	12
2		Brisbane Strikers FC	3	6
3		NQ Razorbacks	4	6
4		Gold Coast Stars	2	4
5		Southern Cross United	3	3
6		QAS	3	2
7		Whitsunday Miners	2	2
8		FNQ Bulls	2	1
9		Capricorn Cougars	3	1
10		Bundaberg Spirit	2	1