Magnificent Brown strike denies Phoenix

An 87th minute wonder strike by James Brown denied victory for the visiting Phoenix who held their own throughout the contest.

Gold Coast entered the game with intent to pressure their opposition early, pushing forward and holding possession well. The visitors struggled in the early parts, however slowly started to get into the game which was seen with the first real chance of the game. Star man Paul Ifill whipped in a delightful cross from the right hand side which found Tim Brown lurking near the back post, however his effort was parried away for a corner by keeper Glen Moss.

It took the visitors seventeen to take the lead thanks to some sloppy defending by the hosts. Muscat easily made his way forward and sent in a low cross for Greenacre to easily slot past Moss. The goal seemed to have shaken the confidence out of the home side, who failed to show any positive signs which appeared in the early stages.

For the home side, Dylan Macallister was left frustrated as he found the back of the net on two different occasions, and on both occasions he was well offside, while Paston pulled off a wonderful save denying Traore’s point blank effort. Wellington held on to their advantage going into half-time.

The home side began the second half the same way they started the match, with an attack minded play and quick pace football. It only took Halloran sixty seconds to be clear on goal and should have done better than shoot wide.

It did not take long for Paston to get into the action, as he made another wonderful save denying Jungschlager.

As the half wore on the visitors seemed to be walking wounded as Vince Lia, Paul Ifil and new signing Dani Sanchez all having to be replaced after suffering injuries throughout the half, while goalkeeper Mark Paston was struggling with injury himself.

With ten minutes remaining in the contest, the home side had their best chance to equalise as Paston failed to clear the incoming corner which found Rozic, however his header was cleared on the line by Muscat.

It all seemed to be over for the Gold Coast faithful, until the 87th minute as James Brown unleashed a magnificent right foot strike from outside the area giving the reliable Mark Paston no chance. The goal was well-deserved for United as they kept pushing forward and never giving up in that second half.

The visitors can leave Gold Coast with their heads held high knowing it took a magnificent strike from Gold Coast to find an equaliser.

GCU – Glen MOSS, Michael THWAITE, Paul BEEKMANS (Daniel SEVERINO 81st min) ANDERSON, Dylan MACALLISTER (Tahj MINNIECON 74th min), Ante ROZIC, Ben HALLORAN, Adama TRAORE, James BROWN, Peter JUNGSCHLAGER, Dylan MCGOWAN (Joel PORTER 57th min). Subs not used – Jerrad TYSON (GK).

WPX – Mark PASTON, Manny MUSCAT, Tony LOCHHEAD, Tim BROWN, Leo BERTOS, Paul IFILL (Daniel CORTES 53rd min), Chris GREENACRE, Vince LIA (Nick WARD 50th min), Ben SIGMUND, Dani SANCHEZ, Andrew DURANTE. Subs not used – Tony WARNER (GK).

The Football Sack 'Player of the Year' points


3 James Brown
2 Manny Muscat
1 Mark Paston