Brisbane Premier League: Round 21

Things heated up before and during Round 21 of the Brisbane Premier League season, with mid-week news that Rochedale were stripped three points for fielding an ineligible player in their win over City in Round 18; the result a 3-0 victory awarded by default to the Azzuri. On the park, Rochedale didn’t let such matters get to their heads as they thrashed UQ, similarly to Wolves’ demolition at Souths. Redlands, Lions and Capalaba all picked up maximum points in their charge towards the finals, while the two draws of the round saw Easts and Power and Olympic and North Pine share the spoils respectively.



Taringa Rovers 0-4 Redlands United
Redlands kept the pressure on leaders Rochedale and well and truly cemented their spot in the top six with a comfortable 4-0 thrashing at lowly Taringa.

Everyone will be talking about...
Rhys Meredith’s brilliant three-minute double on the hour mark that sealed the result for Redlands and increased the forward dynamo’s season tally to 14.

Yeah, but what happened?
Redlands controlled the majority of the game and their fluent attacking play was too much for Taringa to handle. An early goal by Barbarouses separated the sides at the break but a ten minute three-goal rout in the second 45 justified the score.

The numbers:
Redlands- Barbarouses ’32; Meredith ’61, ’63; Lee ‘72

Looking ahead...
Three points keeps Redlands second and well in the chase of leaders Rochedale while Taringa remain 12th and with a tough trip to Rochedale next week; very much relegation-threatened.


North Star 1-2 Lions FC
Lions FC took a firm grip on a top six spot after a hard-earned win at a gutsy North Star who missed the opportunity to pull away from danger near the bottom end of the table.

Everyone will be talking about...
North Star captain Michael McEvoy’s failed clearance that led to the second and decisive Lions goal. Whether it took a bobble on a less than perfect pitch or simply a massive error in judgement for McEvoy, the consequences proved telling.

Yeah, but what happened?
North Star looked the better side early on and took a deserved lead through the ever-reliable Brad Lacey within ten minutes. After that, Lions took control of the midfield and Andrew Butler’s 18th minute injury paved the way for substitute Brett Hay to steal the limelight later on, after veteran Matija Simic had leveled before the break.

The numbers:
North Star-Lacey ‘8
Lions FC- Simic ’40; Hay’70

Looking ahead...
An important win for Lions who face a decisive next three weeks; match-ups with fellow top six hopefuls Olympic, Easts and Power. North Star will be hoping to secure their safety before the final few rounds, having only played 19 games thus far.


Rochedale Rovers 3-0 University of Queensland
Rovers put a tough week off-the-field behind them for a routine win over a dangerously out-of-form UQ side at Underwood Park.

Everyone will be talking about...
The ease with which Rochedale dismantled their opposition from early on was most obvious to see. So let’s look past this pioneering display from the Rovers and place the spotlight on standout UQ ‘keeper Tim Allen, who after a string of miraculous saves and eyes clearly not on the scoreboard, still managed to earn the tag of best on-ground.

Yeah, but what happened?
Reuben Way turned in his best performance of the season, opening the scoring early on, as only a superhuman performance by Allen stole man of the match honours from him. Carl Tabulo finished off a swift move eight minutes later and, with one foot off the pedal, John Thompson completed the classic 3-0 late on.

The numbers:
Rochedale - Way ’13; Tabulo ’21; Thompson ‘83

Looking ahead...
The three deducted points will hurt Rovers, but they were as quickly gained as lost, even though Premiers ambitions may also be gone with Wolves enjoying a ten point buffer. Uni need a turnaround in form as they remain on a knife’s edge at 11th.


Eastern Suburbs 1-1 Peninsula Power
A Matt Hornby header 15 minutes from time cancelled out Brendan Lewandowski's opener to leave the sides all square and maintaining their top six position.

Everyone will be talking about...
Apai Ukuno. The speedy winger tuned in a visionary performance with speed and silky skills out wide getting the better of Power’s defence on a number of occasions. His brilliant touch, run around and low centre led to Lewandowski’s goal.

Yeah, but what happened?
A tough midfield battle with flashes of brilliance from either side. Lewandowski’s predatory instincts earned him a goal after half-time but an unmarked Hornby leaped to head home from a Richard Hurlin free-kick.

The numbers:
Easts- Lewandowski ‘50
Power- Hornby ‘76

Looking ahead...
Easts hang on to 6th before a game they’ll be expected to comfortably win against North Pine next week, while Power now trail Wolves by six and will be looking to pick up maximum points before their decisive match-up on the final match day.


Souths United 1-6 Wolves FC
Top of the pile Wolves FC thumped a hapless Souths United with six of the game’s seven goals arriving in a frantic second half at Wakerley Park.

Everyone will be talking about...
Wolves’ title favouritism. Sam Saif’s men look unstoppable at the moment and it will take a mighty performance to stop this mauling steam train.

Yeah, but what happened?
Souths did brilliantly to contain Wolves to just Trent Clulow’s lone goal at half-time, but unfortunately for the hosts their guard was ripped apart in the second 45. Kado Aoci grabbed a brace before Clulow could complete his double, and further strikes from Blake Cearns and Thomas Torzsak embarrassed the cellar dwellers who grabbed a late consolation through Manoli Anmtanorakis.

The numbers:
Souths- Antanorakis ‘89
Wolves- Clulow ’32, ’78; Aoci ’47, ’62; Cearns ’50; Torzsok ‘82

Looking ahead...
Wolves’ only realistic competitors for the premiers plate remain Redlands and Power, although on current form they don’t look like giving anyone a sniff.


Capalaba 2-0 Brisbane City
Second half goals from Josh Sherwood and Antony Schiavo secured a crucial three points for a Bulldogs side making a late surge for the top six and denying City a place in it.

Everyone will be talking about...
Capalaba’s brilliant defensive performance. On a night when a loss would have seen them all but drop out of finals contention, the Bulldogs rearguard stayed focused and produced a season-turning display.

Yeah, but what happened?
There was nothing separating the evenly matched sides until Josh Sherwood broke the deadlock to the delight of the home crowd at John Fredericks Park. With the Azzuri pushing forward for an equaliser, Antony Schiavo sealed the deal with a second ten minutes from time.

The numbers:
Capalaba- Josh Sherwood ’68; Schiavo ‘80

Looking ahead...
The win means Capalaba now only trail 6th placed Easts by three points and City, who lie a spot below in 7th, by just a point. Welcome news before a daunting trip to Wolves for next week’s derby.


Olympic FC 2-2 North Pine
A late Alex Panic strike spared Olympic’s blushes as North Pine’s comeback could have almost all but eliminated the home side’s chances of playing in the finals.

Everyone will be talking about...
Referee Matthew Skinner’s decision to not award a penalty on 51 minutes when Pine ‘keeper Sam Nickolls seemed to catch Olympic’s Michael Butters in a shoulder-to-shoulder challenge. At the time, Olympic were up 1-0 and a second would have surely wrapped up the game. Instead, two minutes later, James MacIntyre leveled for Pine and one would say gave them the confidence to soon take the lead.

Yeah, but what happened?
Olympic were well below par for the most of the game, yet still enjoyed the majority of chances in front of goal, with the woodwork and Nickolls coming to Pine’s rescue on a number of occasions. Alex Panic’s late equaliser spoiled Craig Parker’s spectacular drive into the corner of the net.

The numbers:
Olympic- Butters ’11; Panic ‘81
North Pine- Macintyre ’53; Parker ‘67

Looking ahead...
Olympic have their work cut out to make the top six, with no easy-on-the-eye match-ups awaiting from Lions, City, Wolves, Redlands and Rochedale. The Gorillas will cherish a valuable away point and will be hoping to go two better and climb out of the relegation zone when they host Easts next week.