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Round Fourteen saw Brisbane move into outright first on the QSL ladder, while Sunshine Coast suffered their first defeat of the season. Brisbane Strikers VS Bundaberg Spirit
5-1
Brisbane have soared to a three point lead at the top of the QSL ladder after defeating Bundaberg Spirit on Saturday night.
Bundaberg held off the Strikers in the opening stages of the match, and in fact had a handful chances to open the scoring due to a lacklustre start from the home team.
But the Strikers defence held, and then in the 28th minute, Matt Thurtell kicked off the scoring spree with a beautifully executed pass from Matt Christensen.
Michael Angus then paired up nicely with Thurtell to knock in Brisbane’s second of the night.
When a rough challenge from a Bundaberg defender on Matt Burke brought down the forward in the box, a penalty was given and Strikers had a 3-0 lead going into the break.
Ryan Mottin and Sean Burke put away two quick-fire goals to extend Brisbane’s lead to 5-0 in the second half.
And even though Bundaberg got a goal through Youngberry just minutes before full time, it was little consolation for the struggling side.
Brisbane will now travel up the coast to face North Queensland in Round 15.
Far North Queensland Bulls VS Sunshine Coast Fire
3-2
The Bulls pulled off a miraculous 3-2 win over former competition leaders, Sunshine Coast Fire on Sunday afternoon.
The Fire conceded their first loss of the season in front of a home crowd at Sunshine Coast Stadium.
It was a gallant display from the visitors who flew to a 3-0 lead before a late comeback threatened to turn a certain win, into a disappointing draw. But luckily, FNQ held on for a memorable victory over last year’s QSL champions.
Victor Madrid kicked off proceedings with a blistering long-range goal in the 13th minute. He was followed soon after by the agile Josiah Rusch scoring from a set piece on the edge of the box.
The shell-shocked Fire had no response as Cater then knocked in the Bulls’ third of the afternoon.
After the break the Fire seemingly awoke from their slumber and dominated the rest of the match.
Gareth Musson’s double inspired the team and home crowd that they may just salvage the win, or a point at least. But time was against them. Too little, too late, Sunshine Coast were left ruing the defeat as the final whistle blew.
Gareth Musson’s double inspired the team and home crowd that they may just salvage the win, or a point at least. But time was against them. Too little, too late, Sunshine Coast were left ruing the defeat as the final whistle blew.
Whitsunday Miners VS North Queensland Razorbacks
2-2
It was a hard-fought tussle up at Harrup Park on Saturday with Whitsunday and North Queensland sharing the points in a 2-2 draw.
For the Miners, that point was a valuable one, as it secured their spot third on the ladder.
But it wasn’t easy sailing for either team.
The Razorbacks were in charge for a majority of the match. Grossman scored their first in the 47th minute with a well timed header, and when Mayberry scored for NQ in the 75th minute, it looked as though an upset was on the table.
But penalties and cards aplenty from the whistle-happy referee was the game changer.
When Razorbacks’ captain Josh Evans was sent off with his second yellow card in the 66th minute, the Miners were able to claw their way back into the game.
When Razorbacks’ captain Josh Evans was sent off with his second yellow card in the 66th minute, the Miners were able to claw their way back into the game.
Within the final ten minutes Miners danger men Bradford and Neeve took the advantage of the extra player to level the game.
The referee then sent off Whitsunday’s White and Bradford late in the match for their second yellow cards, resulting in neither side able to find the winner.
Despite sharing the points, the send-offs made the result bittersweet for both teams, with some of their most valuable players now forced to miss their next match.
Queensland Academy of Sport VS Capricorn Cougars
6-0
QAS made a welcome return to the winner’s circle this weekend, with a 6-0 drubbing of Capricorn in Slacks Creek on Sunday afternoon.
The Cougars have been about as threatening as a pussy cat this season, unable to pull together wins due to injury plaguing the team.
Academy’s Elliot Ronto got his name on the scorer’s sheet once again with a marvellous hat-trick. The young striker now moves into third place on the Golden Boot Tally for the top goal scorer in the QSL.
Hardworking midfielder Jacob McLean got his just rewards with a goal just before the end of the first term and the lead was extended in the second half through Dougall and Borello getting a goal each.
Capricorn had little options up front in their inexperienced side, and unfortunately for the hapless Cougars, it ultimately showed on the scoreboard.
Another win next week could propel QAS back into the mix, and they’ll be hoping for no less when they play against Bundaberg Spirit in Bundaberg.
Video Highlights thanks to Football Queensland
BYE - Gold Coast Stars
Video Highlights thanks to Football Queensland
BYE - Gold Coast Stars
QSL LADDER
# | Club Name | G | W | D | L | F | A | GD | P |
1 | Brisbane Strikers FC | 12 | 9 | 0 | 3 | 38 | 12 | 26 | 27 |
2 | Sunshine Coast FC | 11 | 7 | 3 | 1 | 35 | 9 | 26 | 24 |
3 | Whitsunday Miners | 12 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 21 | 16 | 5 | 19 |
4 | Gold Coast Stars | 11 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 22 | 17 | 5 | 18 |
5 | FNQ Bulls | 12 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 25 | 21 | 4 | 18 |
6 | Queensland Academy of Sport | 13 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 24 | 22 | 2 | 17 |
7 | NQ McDonald's Razorbacks | 12 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 28 | 21 | 7 | 16 |
8 | Bundaberg Spirit | 11 | 1 | 1 | 9 | 9 | 40 | -31 | 4 |
9 | Capricorn Cougars | 12 | 0 | 3 | 9 | 10 | 54 | -44 | 3 |
G = Games Played, W = Win, D = Draw, L = Loss, F = Goals For, A = Goals Against, GD = Goal Difference, P = Points