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Round Eight of the QSL delivered some tight draws and surprising upsets.
Gold Coast Stars 1 VS Brisbane Strikers 0
This week Strikers were beaten at the hands of a rejuvenated Gold Coast who delivered an unlikely 1-0 upset.
Potent Strikers player Matt Thurtell didn’t play due to injury, which led to experimenting in the midfield and forward line. But it failed to pay dividends for Strikers, against the talented Gold Coast Stars who were ready to pounce on the inexperience of some players.
The Perry Park support for Strikers was bolstered by the appearance of three of their favourite sons in Brisbane Roar players and A-League champions, Shane Stefanutto, Matt McKay and Matt Smith, who met fans, signed autographs and took questions from the crowd.
But the crowd was not enough to get Brisbane the win.
As usual, Gold Coast’s Matt Hilton was threatening to score the early goal, while their high-set defence was forcing Strikers to shoot from way out, which proved unsuccessful.
Into the second half, Gold Coast laid shot after shot on Brisbane until the breakthrough finally came.
Dean Smith’s shot was blocked by the defender, only to fall at Smith’s feet again, who again had the shot blocked by the same defender. Matt Hilton picked up the crumbs, only for that to defended too by the Brisbane ‘keeper. The ball again ricocheted into Gold Coast possession, where from a better angle on the right, they finally converted the goal through sub Tyson Jaeger in the 56th minute.
Strikers desperately tried to come from behind, with several opportunities to do so in the final 30 minutes. But Gold Coast gritted their teeth and managed to hang on for a momentous win.
Bundaberg Spirit 3 VS Capricorn Cougars 2
At Jardine Park, Bundaberg got their first win of the season, notching a lively 3-2 victory over Capricorn Cougars.
The loss means the Cougars are still searching for their first win.
This week Strikers were beaten at the hands of a rejuvenated Gold Coast who delivered an unlikely 1-0 upset.
Potent Strikers player Matt Thurtell didn’t play due to injury, which led to experimenting in the midfield and forward line. But it failed to pay dividends for Strikers, against the talented Gold Coast Stars who were ready to pounce on the inexperience of some players.
The Perry Park support for Strikers was bolstered by the appearance of three of their favourite sons in Brisbane Roar players and A-League champions, Shane Stefanutto, Matt McKay and Matt Smith, who met fans, signed autographs and took questions from the crowd.
But the crowd was not enough to get Brisbane the win.
As usual, Gold Coast’s Matt Hilton was threatening to score the early goal, while their high-set defence was forcing Strikers to shoot from way out, which proved unsuccessful.
Into the second half, Gold Coast laid shot after shot on Brisbane until the breakthrough finally came.
Dean Smith’s shot was blocked by the defender, only to fall at Smith’s feet again, who again had the shot blocked by the same defender. Matt Hilton picked up the crumbs, only for that to defended too by the Brisbane ‘keeper. The ball again ricocheted into Gold Coast possession, where from a better angle on the right, they finally converted the goal through sub Tyson Jaeger in the 56th minute.
Strikers desperately tried to come from behind, with several opportunities to do so in the final 30 minutes. But Gold Coast gritted their teeth and managed to hang on for a momentous win.
Bundaberg Spirit 3 VS Capricorn Cougars 2
At Jardine Park, Bundaberg got their first win of the season, notching a lively 3-2 victory over Capricorn Cougars.
The loss means the Cougars are still searching for their first win.
After being inflicted with a crushing loss the previous week, Capricorn were clearly striving to turn it all around. But the shaky Cougars defence was exposed before long.
Capricorn ‘keeper Tim English, once again showed his impressive skills in goal, but was unable to stop Bundaberg’s Shane Youngberry from scoring his double in the first half.
When Michael Cay came on the field for Capricorn it looked like a goal was looming, but a beautiful effort from the aptly named, John Brilliante extended Bundaberg’s lead 3-0.
It was a gutsy display from Capricorn to claw back two more goals in the second half through Tim Hickey and Johnathon Sauer who converted from the penalty spot.
However, they couldn’t manage to get that elusive win, going down 3-2.
FNQ Bulls 1 VS NQ Razorbacks 1
Saturday night saw FNQ Bulls fail to capitalise on an understrength NQ Razorbacks side, to finish with a 1-1 draw.
With their highly talented attack, the Bulls looked most likely to win the match, taking only 3 minutes to score the first goal thanks to a Joe Rusch strike.
When Razorbacks captain, Joshua Evans went off the pitch with a torn hamstring, it looked like the Bulls would have the upper hand.
But Bulls defenders were caught napping just before the half, conceding a goal and levelling the score.
Many chances arose for both teams in the last quarter of the match, getting the patrons at Borzi Park excited.
But the scores remained at 1-1, with the Razorbacks and Bulls taking a share of the points.
Sunshine Coast Fire 1 VS Whitsunday Miners 1
Sunshine Coast have managed to keep their undefeated season going, just.
The scoreboard remained at nil all for most of the match and frustration started to show on each team. Whitsunday’s coach was removed from the pitch charged with dissent, which fired up the players even more.
It looked as though the Miners would cause an upset over the top of the table Fire. After a tight match, where both sides were put to the test, it took 87 minutes until the first goal was scored by Whitsunday’s Jamie White.
The Miners defence had held strong for 90 minutes, until with only moments left in the game, Tyson Holmes came to the rescue for the Fire.
A penalty for pushing was awarded in goal for Sunshine Coast. The reliable Holmes then calmly converted the last kick of the match, salvaging a draw for his side.
The match also marked the 50th QSL game of Antony Hall and Grieg Henslee, an excellent achievement for both players.
Capricorn ‘keeper Tim English, once again showed his impressive skills in goal, but was unable to stop Bundaberg’s Shane Youngberry from scoring his double in the first half.
When Michael Cay came on the field for Capricorn it looked like a goal was looming, but a beautiful effort from the aptly named, John Brilliante extended Bundaberg’s lead 3-0.
It was a gutsy display from Capricorn to claw back two more goals in the second half through Tim Hickey and Johnathon Sauer who converted from the penalty spot.
However, they couldn’t manage to get that elusive win, going down 3-2.
FNQ Bulls 1 VS NQ Razorbacks 1
Saturday night saw FNQ Bulls fail to capitalise on an understrength NQ Razorbacks side, to finish with a 1-1 draw.
With their highly talented attack, the Bulls looked most likely to win the match, taking only 3 minutes to score the first goal thanks to a Joe Rusch strike.
When Razorbacks captain, Joshua Evans went off the pitch with a torn hamstring, it looked like the Bulls would have the upper hand.
But Bulls defenders were caught napping just before the half, conceding a goal and levelling the score.
Many chances arose for both teams in the last quarter of the match, getting the patrons at Borzi Park excited.
But the scores remained at 1-1, with the Razorbacks and Bulls taking a share of the points.
Sunshine Coast Fire 1 VS Whitsunday Miners 1
Sunshine Coast have managed to keep their undefeated season going, just.
The scoreboard remained at nil all for most of the match and frustration started to show on each team. Whitsunday’s coach was removed from the pitch charged with dissent, which fired up the players even more.
It looked as though the Miners would cause an upset over the top of the table Fire. After a tight match, where both sides were put to the test, it took 87 minutes until the first goal was scored by Whitsunday’s Jamie White.
The Miners defence had held strong for 90 minutes, until with only moments left in the game, Tyson Holmes came to the rescue for the Fire.
A penalty for pushing was awarded in goal for Sunshine Coast. The reliable Holmes then calmly converted the last kick of the match, salvaging a draw for his side.
The match also marked the 50th QSL game of Antony Hall and Grieg Henslee, an excellent achievement for both players.
# | Club Name | G | W | D | L | F | A | GD | P |
1 | Sunshine Coast FC | 8 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 29 | 4 | 25 | 20 |
2 | Brisbane Strikers FC | 6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 18 | 7 | 11 | 12 |
3 | NQ McDonald's Razorbacks | 8 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 15 | 11 | 4 | 11 |
4 | Gold Coast Stars | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 9 | 9 | 0 | 10 |
5 | QLD Academy of Sport | 6 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 12 | 8 | 4 | 9 |
6 | FNQ Bulls | 6 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 11 | 8 | 3 | 9 |
7 | Whitsunday Miners | 6 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 8 | 10 | -2 | 7 |
8 | Southern Cross United FC | 5 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 8 | 12 | -4 | 4 |
9 | Bundaberg Spirit | 6 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 7 | 21 | -14 | 4 |
10 | Capricorn Cougars | 7 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 7 | 34 | -27 | 1 |
G = Games Played, W = Win, D = Draw, L = Loss, F = Goals For, A = Goals Against, GD = Goal Difference, P = Points