.gif "Sack Attack: An A-League Webcomic")
Sunshine Coast Fire's shock 1-0 loss at home to North Queensland on Sunday means Brisbane Strikers’ win over the QAS has opened a potential seven point lead for the league leaders.
QAS 1 – 4 Brisbane Strikers
(Liftin 30’) (Di Sipio 4, 77’ Searle 40’ Thurtell 75’)
Two second-half goals in quick succession sealed an efficient 4-1 victory for Brisbane Strikers over the Queensland Academy of Sport at Meakin Park on Saturday night.
Full match report here
The Strikers entered the match knowing a quality performance was required to see off the threat of the league’s in-form team as the QAS had notched five straight victories.
After midfielder Ben Liftin cancelled out Chris Di Sipio’s early opener with a point-blank header from Alistair Quinn’s outstanding cross, Strikers left-midfielder Josh Searle punished the home side for dropping deep by restoring Brisbane’s lead just prior to half-time.
Another goal from QSL top-scorer Matt Thurtell and a second for striking partner Di Sipio ensured a subdued second stanza was capitalised on by the visitors.
The final 4-1 scoreline was perhaps harsh on the QAS, who still sit only three points from fourth-placed Whitsunday, but nonetheless reward for a professional Strikers performance indicative of a premiership-winning mentality.
FNQ Bulls 3 – 0 Whitsunday Miners
(Carroll 47’, 55’ De Nittis 59’)
Far North Queensland scored a massive 3-0 win over Whitsunday on Saturday night to leapfrog the Miners into third.
Three goals in twelve second-half minutes rocketed the home side to a result which has them on the path to a top-four finish.
Goalscoring midfielder Jamie Carroll, who leads the league’s MVP tally from a four-way tie in second, did the bulk of the damage, netting the opener two minutes after the resumption and then adding a second just eight minutes later. Josh De Nittis rounded off the scoring in the 59th minute to complete an electric fifteen-minute spell at Borzi Park. The loss relegates Whitsunday, who had looked to be pushing for a top two finish, back to fourth; a point behind the Bulls and with a far inferior goal difference.
The Miners return home next weekend to face Capricorn in another crunch match while Far North Queensland will get a test of their worth as they host the Strikers.
Capricorn Cougars 3 – 1 Gold Coast Stars
(Cay 54’ Ruthven 67’ Jasperson 90+3’) (Doherty 72’)
Gold Coast lost 3-1 in Rockhampton on Sunday in what could prove to be their last match as a Queensland State League club.
A Football Queensland media release on Monday confirmed Gold Coast’s withdrawal from the QSL based on a disagreement regarding the mooted Australian Premier League, although Football Queensland (FQ) have flagged the possibility of supporting the team for the remainder of the season.
The decision was not communicated to FQ CEO Geoff Foster until 10.35pm Sunday night, by which time Capricorn had already downed the Stars 3-1. Substitute Michael Cay provided the previously lacking spark for the home side by breaking the deadlock in the 54th minute. Then, when Troy Ruthven managed a second in the 67th minute it appeared as though the visitors’ first-half work would be in vain, but Jason Doherty’s penalty meant the final fifteen minutes would require cool heads. And so the Cougars proved up to the challenge as Sean Jasperson wrapped up the win deep into injury time.
Gold Coast’s playing and coaching staff will now have to wait for their futures to be decided with a meeting scheduled for Tuesday as Capricorn prepare for their match in Mackay on Saturday.
Sunshine Coast Fire 0 – 1 North Queensland Razorbacks
(Richardson 19’)
A Sunshine Coast side missing star captain Tyson Holmes and Papua New Guinea representative David Muta suffered a shock loss at home to a defiant North Queensland Razorbacks on Sunday.
The reigning champions failed to find an equaliser in over seventy minutes of football after Ben Richardson had stunned the Stockland Park faithful with a 19th minute volley.
The Razorbacks held on for the 1-0 upset despite a late Fire onslaught, securing their third win of the season and Sunshine Coast’s first loss since an opening day defeat to Whitsunday.
With promising striker Dakota Lucas set to miss a chunk of the season having been selected in New Zealand’s Olympic squad, the return of Holmes and Muta is keenly anticipated as Fire try to reduce Brisbane’s four-point, game-in-hand advantage starting at Meakin Park next weekend.
North Queensland meanwhile can only hope to not lose their momentum as they enter the bye in seventh place and level on points with Capricorn.
Bundaberg Spirit - BYE
Full ladder can be found here
QAS 1 – 4 Brisbane Strikers
(Liftin 30’) (Di Sipio 4, 77’ Searle 40’ Thurtell 75’)
Two second-half goals in quick succession sealed an efficient 4-1 victory for Brisbane Strikers over the Queensland Academy of Sport at Meakin Park on Saturday night.
Full match report here
The Strikers entered the match knowing a quality performance was required to see off the threat of the league’s in-form team as the QAS had notched five straight victories.
After midfielder Ben Liftin cancelled out Chris Di Sipio’s early opener with a point-blank header from Alistair Quinn’s outstanding cross, Strikers left-midfielder Josh Searle punished the home side for dropping deep by restoring Brisbane’s lead just prior to half-time.
Another goal from QSL top-scorer Matt Thurtell and a second for striking partner Di Sipio ensured a subdued second stanza was capitalised on by the visitors.
The final 4-1 scoreline was perhaps harsh on the QAS, who still sit only three points from fourth-placed Whitsunday, but nonetheless reward for a professional Strikers performance indicative of a premiership-winning mentality.
FNQ Bulls 3 – 0 Whitsunday Miners
(Carroll 47’, 55’ De Nittis 59’)
Far North Queensland scored a massive 3-0 win over Whitsunday on Saturday night to leapfrog the Miners into third.
Three goals in twelve second-half minutes rocketed the home side to a result which has them on the path to a top-four finish.
Goalscoring midfielder Jamie Carroll, who leads the league’s MVP tally from a four-way tie in second, did the bulk of the damage, netting the opener two minutes after the resumption and then adding a second just eight minutes later. Josh De Nittis rounded off the scoring in the 59th minute to complete an electric fifteen-minute spell at Borzi Park. The loss relegates Whitsunday, who had looked to be pushing for a top two finish, back to fourth; a point behind the Bulls and with a far inferior goal difference.
The Miners return home next weekend to face Capricorn in another crunch match while Far North Queensland will get a test of their worth as they host the Strikers.
Capricorn Cougars 3 – 1 Gold Coast Stars
(Cay 54’ Ruthven 67’ Jasperson 90+3’) (Doherty 72’)
Gold Coast lost 3-1 in Rockhampton on Sunday in what could prove to be their last match as a Queensland State League club.
A Football Queensland media release on Monday confirmed Gold Coast’s withdrawal from the QSL based on a disagreement regarding the mooted Australian Premier League, although Football Queensland (FQ) have flagged the possibility of supporting the team for the remainder of the season.
The decision was not communicated to FQ CEO Geoff Foster until 10.35pm Sunday night, by which time Capricorn had already downed the Stars 3-1. Substitute Michael Cay provided the previously lacking spark for the home side by breaking the deadlock in the 54th minute. Then, when Troy Ruthven managed a second in the 67th minute it appeared as though the visitors’ first-half work would be in vain, but Jason Doherty’s penalty meant the final fifteen minutes would require cool heads. And so the Cougars proved up to the challenge as Sean Jasperson wrapped up the win deep into injury time.
Gold Coast’s playing and coaching staff will now have to wait for their futures to be decided with a meeting scheduled for Tuesday as Capricorn prepare for their match in Mackay on Saturday.
Sunshine Coast Fire 0 – 1 North Queensland Razorbacks
(Richardson 19’)
A Sunshine Coast side missing star captain Tyson Holmes and Papua New Guinea representative David Muta suffered a shock loss at home to a defiant North Queensland Razorbacks on Sunday.
The reigning champions failed to find an equaliser in over seventy minutes of football after Ben Richardson had stunned the Stockland Park faithful with a 19th minute volley.
The Razorbacks held on for the 1-0 upset despite a late Fire onslaught, securing their third win of the season and Sunshine Coast’s first loss since an opening day defeat to Whitsunday.
With promising striker Dakota Lucas set to miss a chunk of the season having been selected in New Zealand’s Olympic squad, the return of Holmes and Muta is keenly anticipated as Fire try to reduce Brisbane’s four-point, game-in-hand advantage starting at Meakin Park next weekend.
North Queensland meanwhile can only hope to not lose their momentum as they enter the bye in seventh place and level on points with Capricorn.
Bundaberg Spirit - BYE
Full ladder can be found here