QSL: Sunshine Coast Fire break clear

The QSL season resumed after the Easter break with a Round Five postponement meaning Brisbane Strikers lost their hold on top spot as Sunshine Coast took the advantage.

Capricorn Cougars 2 – 2 Whitsunday Miners
(Cay 3’, 52’) (Puckett 37’ van Moolenbroek 68’)

Capricorn Cougars, 2011 wooden spoon winners, stretched their unbeaten start to the season to three matches on Saturday night with a 2-2 draw at home to Whitsunday.

Welcoming the third-placed Miners to Jardine Park for the Central Queensland derby, Capricorn were looking to join their opposition on nine points, despite having played two less matches.

A brace from striker Michael Cay, including a 3rd minute opener, lifted the Cougars to a 2-1 lead early in the second half before one-time North Queensland Fury trialist Michael van Moolenbroek grabbed a point for Whitsunday with a 68th minute equaliser.

The draw means Capricorn remain undefeated from their first three fixtures of the season while the Miners now trail first-placed Sunshine Coast by two points.


Bundaberg Spirit 3 – 0 Gold Coast Stars
(Leggett 7’ Griffin 77’ Hartstonge 86’)

Bundaberg Spirit notched their first win of the campaign with a 3-0 home victory over lowly Gold Coast at home on Saturday night.

The two sides entered the match equal bottom and looking to record their first respective points of this season.

Bundaberg’s Luke Leggett relieved the tension for his side by putting Spirit ahead in just the 7th minute before Central Coast Mariners youth midfielder Brendan Griffin and Luke Hartstonge added a goal each to secure the result late in proceedings.

The vital win means Bundaberg have breathing space from Gold Coast and the QAS at the foot of the table, while the Stars’ early-season losing streak has extended to four and a -19 goal difference.


Sunshine Coast Fire 3 – 0 QAS
(Verdin 36’ Henslee 47’ Blackman 55’)

Sunshine Coast Fire pulled two points clear at the top on Sunday afternoon with a confident 3-0 victory over the Queensland Academy of Sport.

Hoping to assert their authority on the league with the Strikers inactive for the week and Whitsunday only managing a draw in Rockhampton, Fire met a QAS side at Stockland Park buoyed by a promising last outing in Brisbane.

A comfortable win would have been expected by Sunshine Coast boss Richard Hudson and he got just that as three goals and a clean sheet was enough to see off the opposition.

Australian schoolboy representative James Verdin netted first for the home side in the 36th minute as he pounced on a shot which had struck the post. Greig Henslee just about put the result beyond doubt two minutes after the restart before striker Shaun Blackman rounded out the scoring in the 55th minute, combining in familiar fashion with Tyson Holmes.

Sunshine Coast will now enjoy a break with a scheduled bye and will resume away to FNQ Bulls on April 28 while the QAS will be looking for their first points of the season as they entertain the Bulls next weekend.


FNQ Bulls vs. Brisbane Strikers – POSTPONED 

NQ Razorbacks – BYE