Penninsula Power make it four in a row

Peninsular Power have continued their meteoric rise up the Brisbane Premier League table with a comprehensive 4-2 win over Souths United at AJ Kelly field on Saturday. The win is Power’s fourth in a row and is even more remarkable considering the side lost six of their first eight games of the season.

The Redcliffe based side dominated proceedings from the outset, yet it was Souths who had the first real chance of the match in the 15th minute. Striker Brandon Vitale blasted his shot into the left upright after finding possession only metres from goal and with just the goalkeeper to beat.

The early escape didn’t temper the attacking style of the home side which looked to take advantage of striker Matt Hornby’s aerial ability, pumping long looping balls from midfield into the box for the burly marksman. The strategy quickly payed off when in the 17th minute Hornby out jumped his marker to collect a precision long ball from Warren Moon and powerfully head it into the back of the net to give Peninsular Power a well deserved 1-0 lead.

Power continued to break through a flimsy Souths defence throughout the first half with their exciting brand of football, doubling their lead in the 29th minutes courtesy of winger Josh Taylor and an alert assistant referee.
Souths goalkeeper Brent Cocker fumbled Taylor’s shot on the goal line, and although managing to scoop the ball back into the field of play, linesman Drew Ninnes flagged that the ball had crossed the line and the goal was awarded.

The home fans didn’t have time to digest their side’s second goal as only 55 seconds later the score was 3-0. A long range shot from Moon deflected into the path of Power midfielder James Fairgrieve at the far post who easily volleyed home from six yards out.

Half time could not come quickly enough for Souths United who still had to ward off two great opportunities to Peninsular captain Luke Gauci in the final stages of the half before going into the break with Power leading 3-0.

The home side maintained their ferocity early in the second stanza, needing only five minutes to force Souths shot stopper Cocker into a vital save when Fairgrieve headed dangerously on goal from another Moon long ball.

However only moments later it was Souths who scored a shock goal against the run of play when John Handeland’s chance shot from 35 metres out beat the outstretched arms of Power 'keeper Marko Radovanovic to give his side slight hope of a comeback with the score at 3-1.

Unfortunately for Souths the goal only revved up the Peninsular Power machine, the home side pushing further forward and controlling possession for large chunks of the half.

The result was put beyond doubt in the 79th minute when Hornby added a second goal to his tally to make the score line 4-1. The striker once again proved too dangerous in the air for the Souths defence heading home from close range.

Souths managed to get another consolation goal in the 89th minute when a swift counter attacking move was clinically finished by striker Tim Collinge to give his side a more respectable 4-2 score line at full time.

With the win Power now jump to seventh on the ladder, only two points shy of the final playoff spot in sixth and will be in a great mindset for their tough week ahead which includes a friendly match against the reigning Hyundai A-League premiers Brisbane Roar.