QSL Wrap: Twin upsets as strikers reign

The QSL’s top striking talents proved their worth in round sixteen with the league’s premier goal-scoring talents in Matt Thurtell, Michael van Moolebroek and Sander Waterland all turning in match-winning performances.

Brisbane Strikers 6 – 1 Bundaberg Spirit
(Thurtell 6’, 43’, 57’ Di Sipio 13' King 22’ Burke 59’) (Causer 84’)

Yet another Matt Thurtell hat-trick was the highlight of Brisbane’s commanding five-goal home win over Bundaberg on Saturday, helping the Strikers to a ten-point break in first.

The home side raced to a two-goal lead inside the first thirteen minutes with Chris Di Sipio adding to Thurtell’s early opener, before winger Greg King effectively sealed the result with a third in the 22nd minute.

The undermanned Spirit – missing five first-team regulars – held their hosts goalless for the next twenty minutes, but couldn’t prevent a Strikers fourth before half-time when Thurtell grabbed his second, turning in King’s cross just two minutes from the break. Thurtell’s third, courtesy of the penalty spot, and a Sean Burke goal just two minutes later rounded out Brisbane’s six goals for the night with half an hour still to play. Left-sided midfielder Elliot Causer later got one back for Bundaberg to muddy David Chambers’ clean sheet.

The comprehensive victory surged the Strikers ten points clear at the top of the QSL ladder, a statistic that would remain intact with Sunshine Coast’s loss on Sunday, while Spirit can draw level in the mid-table mix with a win over the QAS next week.


Whitsunday Miners 3 – 1 NQ Razorbacks
(Van Moolenbroek 22’, 23’ Corte 57’) (Edwards 44’)

Whitsunday Miners talisman Michael van Moolenbroek netted twice in two first-half minutes to inspire his side to a confident win over North Queensland.

The striker’s quickfire brace, taking his season tally to fourteen, helped Whitsunday to a three points which now has them ten clear in fourth.

A goal seconds before half-time gave the visiting Razorbacks hope of a fightback in the second period, although the Miners responded through Jordan Corte to secure the result.

Next week’s bye means Whitsunday’s next match will again be a home affair against Gold Coast, whereas round seventeen sees North Queensland returning home to meet Brisbane.


Queensland Academy of Sport 1 – 4 Capricorn Cougars
(Quinn 3’) (Waterland 28’ Mozr 49’ Swain 88’ Ruthven 90+1’)

Capricorn Cougars piled on three second-half goals to run out surprise 4-1 winners over the Queensland Academy of Sport at Meakin Park on Sunday.

Despite Alistair Quinn putting the hosts ahead in just the third minute, the QAS never came close to their fluid best in the absence of stars Ross Archibald and Kwame Yeboah.

Energetic striker Sander Waterland put Capricorn on level terms on 28 minutes, capitalising on a shocking defensive mix-up as defender Lachlan Jackson and goalkeeper Matthew Stein conspired to leave the Dutchman with an open goal. Fullback Rudi Mozr completed the turnaround just minutes after half-time with a surging run from deep, before ‘keeper Stein was awarded a red card late in the match for denying an obvious goalscoring opportunity. The sending off required attacker Josh Riis to assume goalkeeping duties as the clock wound down, in which time Capricorn took full advantage by adding a further two goals.

Capricorn’s terrific win moves them into fifth and above the Academy – who have lost four on the trot and travel to Bundaberg next round – on goal difference, albeit having played one extra match.


Sunshine Coast Fire 1 – 2 FNQ Bulls
(Stinson 87’) (Rusch 23’ Carroll 50’)

A goal three minutes from time wasn’t enough to recover Sunshine Coast from a second loss in three matches as strikes either side of half time earned Far North Queensland the second upset of the round.

The Bulls entered the match at Stockland Park in good form having notched three wins from their past four fixtures, while Fire were beginning to lose touch with the Strikers in first.

And it was FNQ who took the lead in the 23rd minute through Joe Rusch as Sunshine Coast’s appeals that the ball had not fully crossed the line were waved away. A second five minutes after the restart proved enough for the Bulls to inflict another shock home defeat on Fire, who without captain and playmaker Tyson Holmes, currently trialling with Perth Glory, could only pull a single goal back via fullback James Stinson.

Sunshine Coast have now slipped ten points behind league-leaders Brisbane, and are ahead of third-placed FNQ by just two points.


Gold Coast Stars – BYE