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Brisbane Strikers have solidified their position atop the Queensland State League ladder with a 3-0 defeat of an under strength Far North Queensland Bulls on Saturday at Perry Park.
Attacking midfielder Chris Di Sipio played a leading role off the bench for the home side, scoring two goals and setting up prolific forward Matt Thurtell for the other.
The win extended the Strikers’ unbeaten run to seven games but it wasn’t as comfortable as the final scoreline suggested; the contest was still locked at nil-all after an hour of play before super-sub Di Sipio’s introduction altered the balance in the Strikers’ favour.
The pint-sized playmaker’s impact was almost immediate having been on the pitch barely five minutes before opening the scoring; Di Sipio’s presence of mind allowed him to capitalise on an ineffectual clearance from a Bulls’ defence that, despite having competently denied repeated Strikers attacking raids, appeared far less confident when playing out from the back.
Di Sipio followed it up in the 83rd minute with a pin-point pass from the left by-line that found a heavily marked Matt Thurtell. Despite the attention the striker managed to hit it first time to take his season tally to a league leading 17 goals.
In the final minute of regulation time, Di Sipio was again “Johnny-on-the-spot” following a sweeping Striker’s passing movement.
Breaking from halfway, right fullback Lorenzo Sippi played it to Greg King who in turn combined with Thurtell to find himself through on goal. King’s heavy touch saw him lose possession in the box, but Di Sipio controlled the loose ball, holding off a defender as he dribbled to the by-lin before slotting the goal from an acute angle.
Despite having the bulk of possession it was a result that could have escaped aBrisbane side that spurned more than a dozen half-chances in the first half and appeared susceptible to the counter attacks of Bulls wingers Josh de Nittis and Jamie Carroll.
The visitors almost opened the scoring in the 8thminute when Carroll’s floated cross from the left caught the wind; catching out Strikers’ keeper Dave Chambers whose blushes were only saved by the far post.
At the other end,Brisbane soon had their best chance of the first half courtesy of a Michael Angus through-ball that played Josh Searle in behind the line. However, Bulls’ keeper Jack Richards advanced then spread himself well to deny Searle’s firmly struckshot.
Searle had another chance just after the half-hour mark after being found advancing down the right by midfield veteran Chay Hews’ crossfield ball. This time the wingback-cum-forward’s shot managed to evade Richards but it also beat the far post.
The Bulls almost snuck a goal before half-time from a well-worked set piece when Nathan Bird rose well to meet Cameron Morrison’s free-kick but he couldn’t keep his header down from ten yards out.
In the second halfBrisbane shut down the threat posed by Carroll and de Nittis but still lacked their usual spark in attack, Bull's skipper Victor Madrid effectively nullifying the threat of Thurtell in the final third before the introduction of Di Sipio.
To their credit, Far North Queensland didn’t drop their heads after the opening goal. The Bulls had a chance to level the scores with ten minutes remaining, de Nittis' industrious run producing a cross that allowed Bird another header from close range but he aimed it straight at keeper Chambers.
After the match, Strikers coach David Large acknowledged the quality of di Sipio’s contribution.
“He’s worked tirelessly in training and he’s always been in the back of my mind,” Large said.
“He showed how important he is to this squad tonight; he was fantastic.”
Bulls’ coach Martin Docherty however suggested the final score wasn’t indicative of the match.
“Three goals wasn’t a fair reflection on the game as far as we’re concerned,” he said.
“Three-nothing flatters the Strikers a little bit, only in the sense that two mistakes cost us two of the goals."
Large disagreed with that sentiment, albeit tactfully.
“I think it was a fair result. If you take the first fifteen minutes away we had the majority of the game.
“But in saying that, if Martin thought the result was an injustice I wouldn’t argue with him. They have every right to think that because they were always in the game.
The two sides will meet again in Mareeba in a fortnight. The Bulls expect to welcome back influential striker Joe Rusch for the return fixture while Strikers are hoping Jonti Richter recovers from his prolonged injury in time to make the trip north.
Attacking midfielder Chris Di Sipio played a leading role off the bench for the home side, scoring two goals and setting up prolific forward Matt Thurtell for the other.
The win extended the Strikers’ unbeaten run to seven games but it wasn’t as comfortable as the final scoreline suggested; the contest was still locked at nil-all after an hour of play before super-sub Di Sipio’s introduction altered the balance in the Strikers’ favour.
The pint-sized playmaker’s impact was almost immediate having been on the pitch barely five minutes before opening the scoring; Di Sipio’s presence of mind allowed him to capitalise on an ineffectual clearance from a Bulls’ defence that, despite having competently denied repeated Strikers attacking raids, appeared far less confident when playing out from the back.
Di Sipio followed it up in the 83rd minute with a pin-point pass from the left by-line that found a heavily marked Matt Thurtell. Despite the attention the striker managed to hit it first time to take his season tally to a league leading 17 goals.
In the final minute of regulation time, Di Sipio was again “Johnny-on-the-spot” following a sweeping Striker’s passing movement.
Breaking from halfway, right fullback Lorenzo Sippi played it to Greg King who in turn combined with Thurtell to find himself through on goal. King’s heavy touch saw him lose possession in the box, but Di Sipio controlled the loose ball, holding off a defender as he dribbled to the by-lin before slotting the goal from an acute angle.
Despite having the bulk of possession it was a result that could have escaped a
The visitors almost opened the scoring in the 8thminute when Carroll’s floated cross from the left caught the wind; catching out Strikers’ keeper Dave Chambers whose blushes were only saved by the far post.
At the other end,
Searle had another chance just after the half-hour mark after being found advancing down the right by midfield veteran Chay Hews’ crossfield ball. This time the wingback-cum-forward’s shot managed to evade Richards but it also beat the far post.
The Bulls almost snuck a goal before half-time from a well-worked set piece when Nathan Bird rose well to meet Cameron Morrison’s free-kick but he couldn’t keep his header down from ten yards out.
In the second half
To their credit, Far North Queensland didn’t drop their heads after the opening goal. The Bulls had a chance to level the scores with ten minutes remaining, de Nittis' industrious run producing a cross that allowed Bird another header from close range but he aimed it straight at keeper Chambers.
After the match, Strikers coach David Large acknowledged the quality of di Sipio’s contribution.
“He’s worked tirelessly in training and he’s always been in the back of my mind,” Large said.
“He showed how important he is to this squad tonight; he was fantastic.”
Bulls’ coach Martin Docherty however suggested the final score wasn’t indicative of the match.
“Three goals wasn’t a fair reflection on the game as far as we’re concerned,” he said.
“Three-nothing flatters the Strikers a little bit, only in the sense that two mistakes cost us two of the goals."
Large disagreed with that sentiment, albeit tactfully.
“I think it was a fair result. If you take the first fifteen minutes away we had the majority of the game.
“But in saying that, if Martin thought the result was an injustice I wouldn’t argue with him. They have every right to think that because they were always in the game.
The two sides will meet again in Mareeba in a fortnight. The Bulls expect to welcome back influential striker Joe Rusch for the return fixture while Strikers are hoping Jonti Richter recovers from his prolonged injury in time to make the trip north.