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Round Ten of the QSL failed to deliver the top of the table clash everyone was waiting for, between Sunshine Coast and Brisbane Strikers. But it did allow other teams like QAS and the Razorbacks to assert themselves as QSL 2011 title contenders.Queensland Academy of Sport VS Whitsunday Miners
1 – 0
Queensland Academy of Sport pulled off a big 1-0 win in the last minute of regular time against the resurgent Whitsunday Miners on Saturday night.
The match was vital for both teams. For Whitsunday, after a slow start, it would move them up into the middle of the ladder, and into finals contention going into the second half of the season. For QAS, it would move them into second spot, a sweet reward for their steady improvement over the past few months.
But it would take something special for Academy to defeat the Miners up at Harrup Park, especially after Whitsunday’s upset win over Brisbane Strikers last week.
A hard fought tug-of-war for the entire match made a nil-all draw the most likely outcome, as both sides missed opportunities to take the lead. However it was a familiar suspect, Elliot Ronto, who came up with the goods in the 90th minute for QAS.
From the corner kick James Donachie collected the ball before passing it off to Ronto at the far post. Ronto then put the ball in the back of the net, in the process breaking the hearts of local fans.
1 – 0
Queensland Academy of Sport pulled off a big 1-0 win in the last minute of regular time against the resurgent Whitsunday Miners on Saturday night.
The match was vital for both teams. For Whitsunday, after a slow start, it would move them up into the middle of the ladder, and into finals contention going into the second half of the season. For QAS, it would move them into second spot, a sweet reward for their steady improvement over the past few months.
But it would take something special for Academy to defeat the Miners up at Harrup Park, especially after Whitsunday’s upset win over Brisbane Strikers last week.
A hard fought tug-of-war for the entire match made a nil-all draw the most likely outcome, as both sides missed opportunities to take the lead. However it was a familiar suspect, Elliot Ronto, who came up with the goods in the 90th minute for QAS.
From the corner kick James Donachie collected the ball before passing it off to Ronto at the far post. Ronto then put the ball in the back of the net, in the process breaking the hearts of local fans.
North Queensland Razorbacks VS Bundaberg Spirit
5 – 0
North Queensland got back into the winner’s circle on Saturday with a decisive 5-0 victory over cellar-dwellers, Bundaberg Spirit.
Townsville got treated to a spectacular flurry of goals from their home team, in an inspiring performance from a young Razorbacks side.
Razorbacks coach Ken Mitchell did some experimenting with his players, putting them in unfamiliar positions and mixing up the bench. It was risky, but it paid off as a ruthless attack exploited Bundaberg’s shaky defence, without compromising their own.
Taking a modest 1-0 lead after the first half through a Crowley goal, North Queensland let loose in the second. Navaro got his first in the 73rd and second in the 89th minute, with Edwards and Hay also contributing to the scoresheet.
Razorbacks consequently secured fourth position from the win, but will have a tough task in defeating the competition’s runaway leader Sunshine Coast, next week.
Gold Coast Stars VS Far North Queensland Bulls
2 – 1
Gold Coast successfully came away with all three points in their game against the FNQ Bulls on Sunday afternoon.
The Bulls, who were coming off a bye, were unable to keep up with Gold Coast’s dominance in possession, as the week off seemed to have done more harm than good for their team.
Gold Coast were more desperate. It was a must-win match for the Stars who have been steadily sliding down the ladder after starting the year strongly. They needed to kick-start their ascent up the table again.
In a tight battle, it took two impressive efforts by Gold Coast’s John Prugh and Matt Hilton to get the Stars over the line.
Next week they should continue their run of form against Capricorn Cougars, but the trip up the coast will make it no easy feat.
Sunshine Coast Fire VS Brisbane Strikers
(Match postponed due to poor ground conditions)
2 – 1
Gold Coast successfully came away with all three points in their game against the FNQ Bulls on Sunday afternoon.
The Bulls, who were coming off a bye, were unable to keep up with Gold Coast’s dominance in possession, as the week off seemed to have done more harm than good for their team.
Gold Coast were more desperate. It was a must-win match for the Stars who have been steadily sliding down the ladder after starting the year strongly. They needed to kick-start their ascent up the table again.
In a tight battle, it took two impressive efforts by Gold Coast’s John Prugh and Matt Hilton to get the Stars over the line.
Next week they should continue their run of form against Capricorn Cougars, but the trip up the coast will make it no easy feat.
Sunshine Coast Fire VS Brisbane Strikers
(Match postponed due to poor ground conditions)
Capricorn Cougars – Bye
# | Club Name | G | W | D | L | F | A | GD | P |
1 | Sunshine Coast FC | 8 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 29 | 4 | 25 | 20 |
2 | Queensland Academy of Sport | 8 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 14 | 9 | 5 | 13 |
3 | Brisbane Strikers FC | 7 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 18 | 9 | 9 | 12 |
4 | NQ McDonald's Razorbacks | 9 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 21 | 13 | 8 | 12 |
5 | Gold Coast Stars | 7 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 9 | 10 | -1 | 11 |
6 | FNQ Bulls | 7 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 12 | 10 | 2 | 9 |
7 | Whitsunday Miners | 7 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 7 | 8 | -1 | 9 |
8 | Bundaberg Spirit | 8 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 7 | 29 | -22 | 4 |
9 | Capricorn Cougars | 7 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 7 | 32 | -25 | 2 |
G = Games Played, W = Win, D = Draw, L = Loss, F = Goals For, A = Goals Against, GD = Goal Difference, P = Points