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University of Queensland 0:2 Olympic FC
(Byrne ‘72(p); Butters ’76)
Two quick-fire second-half goals have earned Olympic a vital three points that keeps them in the top six, as UQ slumped to their fifth straight defeat.
A scrappy and lacklustre first half ended with both teams scoreless. Olympic provided more drive in the second period and got their just rewards through Danny Byrne and Michael Butters. Byrne slotted a 72nd minute penalty resulting from a dubious handball. Four minutes later the game was sealed - Butters fooling the UQ rearguard with a delicate lob.
The win sees Olympic stretch their unbeaten run to four games, while UQ have all but lost any chance of qualifying for the finals – instead they must focus on staying away from a relegation scrap.
Wolves FC 2:2 Redlands United
(Aoci ’42; OG ‘49) (Homer ’59; Fyfe ’76)
Wolves maintained their position at the top of the table despite being held at home by a defiant Redlands side who produced a spirited comeback.
The hosts looked the more organised side in the first half and deservedly took the lead on the stroke of half-time – Kado Aoci producing a piece of magic with an aerial volley into the top corner. One was soon two straight after the break, as Cameron Draper inexplicably forced the ball into his own net from a Trent Clulow centre. An encouraged response followed from the visitors, with Stephen Homer bringing them back into the match after he pounced on a howler from Marko Radovanovic. Redlands celebrations were complete with fifteen minutes remaining, as George Barbarouses was adjudged to be fouled inside the area and Graham Fyfe cooly clotted the resulting penalty.
It will seem a case of two points lost for Wolves, as an attractive scenario builds up ahead of next week’s crunch top two clash with Rochedale – now sitting only a point adrift.
Peninsula Power 2:1 Capalaba
(South ’50; Taylor ’82) (Hurford ’33)
Power continued their late surge towards the top of the table with a narrow home victory over Capalaba.
The visitors imposed themselves well on the match and it was no surprise to see them go ahead just after the half hour – Geoff Hurford powering a header from a free-kick. Power knew they could occupy second spot for at least 24 hours with a home win and they looked the hungrier in the second period. Josh South transformed that hunger onto the scoreboard early in the second period, with a well-taken finish after beating the Dogs’ offside trap. With time winding down, Power took the lead from a well-known source, Richie Hurlin’s cross too good for substitute Josh Taylor to miss a close range header from.
Power remain within touching distance of the minor premiership, while Capalaba will be ruing a missed opportunity to keep the pressure on the top six.
Eastern Suburbs 2:1 North Star
(Seeto ’45; Thompson ‘52) (Fairgrieve ’20)
Easts regrouped after a slow start to pick up all three points at home to relegation-threatened North Star.
The visitors charged out of the blocks and looked to move the ball with pace. The plan reaped its dividends when James Fairgrieve delicately lobbed an oncoming Phillip Zabakas on twenty minutes. But Easts were not deterred by conceding and were all square on the stroke of half-time, Jordan Seeto pouncing on a rebound from close range. An aggressive approach to off-the-ball pressure was clearly applied by the hosts at the start of the second half and David Thomson finished off a precise move into North Star’s territory for the winner.
Easts’ defence was finally broken after three consecutive clean sheets, but it was not enough for North Star to temporarily distance themselves from danger – they remain one point off the drop zone.
North Pine 4:2 Souths United
(Coffey ’12; Keslake ‘ 30; Keune ’82; Parker ’88) (Skehan ’36; 43)
North Pine continued their end of season resurgence up the table with another well picked up victory, this time at home to cellar dwellers Souths.
Pine’s recent turn of performances have breathed life back into the team and it showed as they took a 2-0 lead within the opening thirty minutes. Shane Coffey and Jake Keslake put the home side in firm control but Souths seemed unfazed. A brilliant seven minute, two-goal cameo by Andrew Skehan had the visitors miraculously level at half time. A result they were desperate to hang on to and almost did, but for Jason Keune and Craig Parker’s late goals to end the contest.
Souths remain without a win since their first round victory over Noth Star, while North Pine are now just two points adrift of safety.
Brisbane City 2:4 Rochedale Rovers
(Shepherd ’52; Bell ‘67) (McLean ’10; Way ’25; Duimpies ’73; Hastings ’85)
Rochedale survived a spirited City comeback to take all the spoils at Spencer Park on Sunday afternoon.
It was business as usual in a comfortable first half for Rochedale, as strikes by Jake McLean and Reuben Way looked to have the visitors cruising. The Azzuri had other ideas early in the second half – first Andrew Shepherd and then Sebastian Bell clawing City back into the game. But strength in depth provided the difference for Rochedale, as three quick substitutions acted as a prelude to two quick-fire goals – the first through Keenan Duimpies and the latter sealer from sub Rhys Hastings.
Rochedale sit only a point adrift of Wolves at the top prior to their big clash next week, while City remain in contention for the finals.
Lions FC 2:2 Taringa Rovers
(Musson ’29; Thomas ’80) (Keen ’15; Wright ‘17)
An inspired comeback by Lions FC has left Taringa shattered and staring at the face of the drop zone.
There was plenty to compete for from the offset, with Taringa threatened with relegation and Lions pushing for a top six spot. But early on there was only one team that turned up to play – Ian Keen and Ben Wright putting the visitors in cruise control. Lions regained composure after a Gareth Musson strike on the half hour, but they didn’t freely celebrate until the 80th minute – when Greg Thomas scored an equaliser.
Both teams have plenty to play for over the remainder of the season, although with greatly differing aims.
