Brisbane Premier League: Round 8

A string of close matches highlighted Round 8 of the BPL, with league leaders Lions FC the only team to win by a margin of more than a goal. 

Power and Wolves played out an uncharacteristic 0-0 draw on Saturday afternoon, while Rochedale and Logan both went home with a point after 1-1 draws from their respective trips. Easts edged out a disappointed North Star, while Albany Creek and Capalaba dished out a seven-goal thriller.             

Peninsula Power   0:0   Wolves FC

Power and Wolves played out an eventful goalless draw at AJ Kelly Park, leaving the visitors undefeated in five games and sitting third on the table.

Everyone will be talking about…

Two solid defensive displays. It was no surprise to see it from Wolves, who hold the best defensive record in the league. But Power’s effort was immense, considering the visitors had notched up 23 goals in their past four outings.         

Yeah, but what happened?

Both sides enjoyed chances, but in the end their solid structures and high pressing cancelled each other out. Frustration seemed to get the better of Power’s Michael Baird towards the end, with the striker – now goalless in four games – receiving his marching orders in the 89^th minute.    

Looking ahead...

Both teams are involved in crunch clashes next week, with Power hosting high-flying Albany Creek and Wolves entertaining old foes Rochedale.

North Star   1:2   Eastern Suburbs

Luck smiled on the Tigers during their trip to North Star on Saturday afternoon, as a contentious penalty and a Star own goal gifted them all three points.

Everyone will be talking about…

The condition of the pitch. There is such thing as an over-luscious green, with pace and slick passing almost entirely missing from the match and a big reason behind the high number of mistakes.

Yeah, but what happened?

After a disjointed start to the game, Easts were awarded a penalty for a nudge in the back during a tussle in the box – much to the frustration of the hosts. Ryan Stenhouse duly converted in the bottom left corner, sparking an immediate response from the hosts. Star enjoyed the majority of possession for the remainder of the half, aided by high pressing and aggression from the midfield. Their efforts were rewarded ten minutes before the break, when Jake Sullivan’s drive took a large deflection and found its way past Tom Carroll. Easts had the ascendancy and looked more likely to hit the lead, but as so often happens, quality sides find a way of edging in front. Easts’ Daniel Cunha squared an inviting ball from the left flank that a hapless Star defence could not deal with, eventually deflecting in their own net. The visitors proved the more resilient and organised side in the second period, holding on to their lead and climbing to fifth.   

The numbers:

Star – Sullivan ‘35

Easts – Stenhouse ‘27(pen); OG ‘41

Looking ahead...

Easts will look to move into the top four when they entertain Capalaba next week, while North Star will have their best chance yet to gain their first points of the season when they travel to UQ.

Ipswich Knights   1:1   Rochedale Rovers

A horror second-half blunder from Knights ‘keeper Luke MacDonald handed Rovers a share of the spoils at Eric Evans Oval.

Everyone will be talking about…

MacDonald’s lapse in concentration. With his side leading 1-0, the hosts’ custodian inexplicably failed to grasp Joshua Falco’s tame effort, squirming through his legs and dubiously crossing the goal line.

Yeah, but what happened?

The hosts stunned Rochedale with a goal in their first foray forward. Mitchell Davis burst towards the goal line and cut back for Igor Sao Jose to strike home from close range. It was all Ipswich in the opening 15 minutes, with Rochedale constantly backpedalling under pressure. Rovers settled into the game, but Ipswich would rue not taking a further advantage after enjoying supremacy in the opening stanza. They were made to pay in controversial fashion ten minutes after the restart via a forgetful moment for MacDonald. To their credit, Knights picked up their first half tempo, but to no avail. In the end, it was Rovers who should have run away with the win, Jarryd McKeller’s thumping header rattling the post.                      

The numbers:

Ipswich – Sao Jose ‘2

Rochedale – Falco ‘56

Looking ahead...

Ipswich will be favoured to maintain their solid run of results when they travel to CJ Greenfield Reserve to take on Brisbane Force next Sunday. Rochedale will take on a much more testing assignment, travelling to an in-form Wolves FC.   

UQ FC   0:4   Lions FC

Lions piled further misery on University in a comfortable Sunday afternoon win that sees them remain at the head of the table. 

Everyone will be talking about…

Will UQ be able to muster a win this year? Coming up against the league leaders is no easy feat, but the students’ form is deplorable and confidence non-existent.                

Yeah, but what happened?

The writing was on the cards from the outset for the hosts, with Brodie Kenyon grabbing a cool brace in the first half. The ever-impressive Kentaro Ishikawa assured all three points would be going back to Richlands midway through the second half. The rout was completed 15 minutes from time from the penalty spot, with Andrew Butler slotting home after another defensive blunder from Uni.                    

The numbers:

Lions  - Kenyon ’13, ’40; Ishikawa ’68; Butler ‘73(pen)

Looking ahead...

Next week will perhaps be UQ’s best chance to pick up their first points of the season when they host fellow strugglers North Star. Lions face a potentially tricky trip to Logan.   

Albany Creek   4:3   Capalaba

A Jared Austin hat-trick propelled Albany Creek to victory over Capalaba in a trilling encounter at Wolter Park.  

Everyone will be talking about…

Austin’s 35-minute hat-trick. The marksman broke down the visitors’ defence in stunning fashion, taking his season tally to five goals.

Yeah, but what happened?

Austin was the star of the show in the first half, although Xavier Lopez gave the Dogs hope right on half-time with another sublime strike. Capalaba’s hopes of a comeback were dealt a major blow when Matt Needham restored Creek’s advantage two minutes after the restart. Capalaba refused to lie down and again hit back through Lopez ten minutes later. Both sides showed great spirit in contrasting situations – Capalaba pushing to get back into the game while Creek maintained organisation through the middle of the park. The Dogs’ constant pressure finally paid off with a minute of regulation time to go, when Scott Sargent’s goal set-up a grand-stand finish. A miraculous comeback wasn’t to be though, as Creek earned a dramatic three points that sees them keep the pressure on leaders Lions.                        

The numbers:

Creek – Austin ’16, ’26, ’35; Needham ‘47

Capalaba – ‘45+1, ’57; Sargent ‘89

Looking ahead...

Albany Creek will need to prepare for anything when they travel to an inconsistent Power side next week, while Capalaba will be desperate to get back to winning ways at Easts.    

Brisbane Force   1:1   Logan Lightning

A second-half Taki Matsamuta strike earned Brisbane Force a well deserved draw – their first point in the 2013 BPL.   

Everyone will be talking about…

The losing streak is over. Force have a point next to their name – what is undoubtedly a great relief for the league’s debutants.

Yeah, but what happened?

Logan looked on track to power towards a third consecutive victory when Daniel Messer opened the scoring midway through the first half. The Lightning remained in the ascendancy until half time but could not add to their lead. It was a case of a chance well taken for Force in the second period, when Matsamuta levelled proceedings 15 minutes after the restart. Buoyed by the scoreline, Force battled for the point and deservedly held out a frustrated Logan forward line.                      

The numbers:

Force – Matsamuta ‘61

Logan – Messer ‘23

Looking ahead...

Force will be eager to build on their first result when they host Ipswich next week, while Logan will look to maintain their four-game unbeaten streak when they welcome league leaders Lions.

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VPL Wrap: Wheat from the Chaff

Northcote City are the big winners from the weekend as they pounded Richmond 7-2 to remain the only unbeaten side in the Victorian Premier League. In the space of two games Northcote have score twelve times.

Green Gully are stuttering, Oakleigh will be lamenting lost points and Port Melbourne are holding steady in their first visit back to the VPL in years. In only four rounds Richmond have a negative goal difference of 11 and their work cut out for them for the rest of the season.

The league takes a break this weekend as VPL and State League One sides enter the State Knockout Cup.

Pascoe Vale 2 (Micovski 70' Ferrante 93')
Green Gully Cavaliers 1 (Vanega 44')
Hosken Reserve

Pascoe Vale celebrated their first ever win in the Victorian Premier League with a late winner over VPL mainstays Green Gully in front of a healthy crowd at Hosken reserve. Former West Ham youth player Michael Ferrante was the hero with a winner three minutes into stoppage time.


Oakleigh Cannons 1 (Diaco 25')
Southern Stars 1 (Obaze (66')
Jack Edwards Reserve

A brave Southern Stars outfit were able to keep Oakleigh to a draw despite playing the majority of the game with ten men and eventually nine. Coming from behind the Stars will hold this draw as one of their best ever results in the VPL while Oakleigh will be disappointed they could not take all three points in a game they should have won.


Richmond FC 2 (Lokvancic 5’ Armenian 52’)
Northcote City 7 (Piemonte 2’ 85’ Lujic 28’ 77’ Catalano 18’ Kounavelis 45’ Chiappetta 92’)
Kevin Bartlett Reserve

Northcote City shot to the top of the table with an emphatic 7-2 win over Richmond at Richmond. Northcote remain the only unbeaten side in the competition and look to be the goods at this early stage. Richmond are in struggle town and need a quick fix if they are to remain competitive this season.


Dandenong Thunder 3 (Kelly 25’ (OG) Hopper 77’ Foster 85’)
South Melbourne 0
George Andrews Reserve

South Melbourne were brought back down to earth with a thud after they suffered their first loss of the season to reigning premiers Dandenong. The Thunder are coming from back in the pack but look to be on track with this win against a side that had been playing good football.


Hume City 1 (Canham 4')
Bentleigh Greens 4 (Sherbon 58' 90+3' Etheridge 63' De Abreu 89')
Broadmeadows Valley Park

Bentleigh showed why they are favoured by many to take out silverware this season with a solid win away at Hume. Star recruit Luke Sherbon scored twice as the Greens keep up the pressure on flyers Northcote. Hume took an early lead but after half time it was a different game as Bentleigh flexed their muscles with four goals in just over half an hour.


Melbourne Knights 0
Port Melbourne Sharks 0
Knights Stadium

A 0-0 draw was the result at Knights Stadium on Sunday as neither the Knights nor Port Melbourne could break the deadlock in a captivating encounter. Both sides sit inside the top five at the minute but will need to be able to be better in front of goal if they are going to challenge the big guns throughout the season. Defensively it was important for the Knights to keep a clean sheet after they were routed 5-1 last week.

LADDER AFTER ROUND 4

POS	TEAM	P	W	D	L	F	A	GD	PTS
1	Northcote City SC	4	4	0	0	16	3	13	12
2	Bentleigh Greens SC	4	3	0	1	9	3	6	9
3	South Melbourne FC	4	3	0	1	8	4	4	9
4	Port Melbourne Sharks SC	4	2	1	1	6	3	3	7
5	Melbourne Knights FC	4	2	1	1	6	6	0	7
6	Hume City FC	4	2	0	2	5	9	-4	6
7	Dandenong Thunder SC	4	2	1	1	6	4	2	4
8	Oakleigh Cannons FC	4	1	1	2	3	7	-4	4
9	Green Gully Cavaliers SC	4	1	0	3	5	7	-2	3
10	Pascoe Vale SC	4	1	0	3	3	6	-3	3
11	Southern Stars FC	4	0	2	2	2	6	-4	2
12	Richmond FC	4	0	0	4	4	15	-11	0

Round Five Fixtures
Bentleigh Greens v Oakleigh Cannons, 8:15pm Friday 10 May, Kinston Heath Soccer ComplexPort Melbourne Sharks v Northcote City, 8:30pm Friday 10 May, JL Murphy Reserve
Dandenong Thunder v Hume City, 3pm Saturday 11 May, George Andrews Reserve
Green Gully Cavaliers v Melbourne Knights, 3pm Saturday 11 May, Green Gully Reserve
Southern Stars v Pascoe Vale, 6pm Saturday 11 May, Kingston Heath Soccer Club
South Melbourne v Richmond, 3pm Sunday 12 May, Lakeside Stadium

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NSW Wrap: Spartans cause an upset in a wet weekend

A wet weekend in Sydney saw two fixtures washed out, while Blacktown Spartans caused an upset over Olympic with a 4-2 win. 

Manly United also managed to find four goals against the Wolves, while less goals were scored in the other two fixtures as a single goal was all that was needed for Marconi to win the Italian derby and Bonnyrigg's 100% winning record was ended with a 0-0 draw against Rockdale.

Blacktown Spartans 4-2 Sydney Olympic

(Austin 7’, 50’, 76’, Carle 85’), (Makrys 13’ (pen), Barkhousir 36’)

Blacktown Spartans caused the upset of the week as they earned they way back onto the winners circle with a 4-2 win against Sydney Olympic.

After scoring an early goal through Luke Austin, Blacktown soon found themselves trailing and went into the break 2-1 down after Phil Makrys slotted away a penalty and Elsid Barkhousir rounded the keeper.

But Blacktown Spartans were determined to get their second win of the season, and even after they received a red card just a minute after Austin completed his hat-trick, the home side held on and added a fourth to give them an encouraging victory.

Under 20’s: Blacktown Spartans 1-2 Sydney Olympic

Next week: APIA Leichhardt v Blacktown Spartans
                   Sydney Olympic v Manly United

Manly United 4-2 South Coast Wolves
(Sim 2’ 36’, Cholakian 52’, Balderson 60’), (Lavalle 44’, Baldacchino 90’)

Matt Sim scored twice in the first half to lead Manly on their way to a four goal performance as they continue their promising start to the season while South Coast Wolves remain searching for their second win of the season.

The visitors pulled one back before the break, only for Manly to add two more before the hour mark, effectively ending the fixture.

Under 20’s: Manly United 6-0 South Coast Wolves
Next week: Sydney Olympic v Manly United
                   South Coast Wolves v Rockdale City Suns

APIA Leichhardt 0-1 Marconi Stallions
                                  (Travis 43’ )

Marconi Stallions won the old Italian derby with a goal just before half time, leaving APIA in second last as the Stallions continue their rise up the ladder.

Despite starting the season slow, Marconi are starting to hit their straps with a couple of wins. A lot of rain earlier in the day made the pitch difficult to play on and the Stallions had to work hard for their win.

Travis kept his cool inside the penalty area to hammer a bouncing ball past the keeper in the far corner.

Under 20’s: APIA Leichhardt 0-1 Marconi Stallions
Next week: APIA Leichhardt v Blacktown Spartans
                  CCM Academy v Marconi Stallions

Rockdale City Suns 0-0 Bonnyrigg White Eagles

Bonnyrigg’s 100% winning record was stopped by Rockdale City Suns just hours before Western Sydney’s fairytale was ended.

A match with plenty of chances could’ve easily had ended with goals, but the White Eagles, despite scoring three last weekend, looked to miss Robbie Younis on Sunday. The league leaders struggled to find the target with many good shots going not far wide or over the bar.

Under 20’s: Rockdale City Suns 1-2 Bonnyrigg White Eagles
Next week: South Coast Wolves v Rockdale City Suns
                   Bonnyrigg White Eagles v Blacktown City FC

Central Coast Mariners Academy v Sydney United

Washed out.

Next week: CCM Academy v Marconi Stallions
                   Sutherland Sharks v Sydney United

Blacktown City FC v Sutherland Sharks

Washed out.

Next week: Bonnyrigg White Eagles v Blacktown City FC
                   Sutherland Sharks v Sydney United     

Austin’s second for the Spartans after a brilliant deep cross from Corey Bizco was this weeks Goal of the Round:

Read more..

NPL Queensland: Olympic lead breakaway

Olympic FC met Redlands' challenge of their NPL leadership in Round 6, maintaining first as both teams overcame differing obstacles.

Elsewhere, Central Queensland proved their resolve with a stirring victory away to Far North Queensland capturing the club's first points of the campaign.


Redlands United 3 (Macuace 17' Purcell 88' Way 90+2')
Queensland Academy of Sport 1 (Yango 77')

Redlands temporarily moved into first on Friday night, producing a stirring finish to score twice late and deny the QAS just their second point of the season.

Keiran Purcell and Reuben Way were the saviours for the hosts, crushing the Academy's spirits with goals in the 88th and 92nd minutes respectively.

The Academy had equalised just eleven minutes prior to Purcell's goal through Abraham Yango's long-range effort, some 60 minutes after Jheison Macuace netted his fifth of the season for the Devils.

Redlands slipped back to second by the completion of Round 6 but maintain a +7 goal difference over the Strikers, while the QAS' lost opportunity saw them slide to bottom.


Northern Fury 2 (Stanley 2' Read 37')
Palm Beach Sharks 2 (Lucas pen 63', pen 72')

Northern Fury moved into the top four on Saturday despite Palm Beach clawing back a two goal deficit to take a point back to the Gold Coast.

The match was Fury's third in succession at their Townsville Sports Reserve home and, much like the previous two results, their 2-0 half-time lead appeared as though it would result in a comfortable victory.

However, a pair of penalties from Chris Lucas inside ten second-half minutes turned the match around for the visiting Sharks and puncturing Fury's burgeoning momentum.

Palm Beach's comeback was soured somewhat when captain Justyn McKay sent off for a second yellow card, though they will still be pleased with an unlikely point which lifts them two places into eighth.


Brisbane Strikers 7 (Thurtell 11' King 27', 79', 87' McVey 46' Richter 57', 90+3')
Moreton Bay United 0

Moreton Bay's honeymoon period came to a grinding halt on Saturday night as the new club were thrashed 7-0 by Brisbane Strikers at Perry Park.

Winger Greg King was the star for the hosts, netting an impressive hat-trick to go with a brace from fellow wide-man Jonti Richter and strikers Matt Thurtell and Josh McVey.

The win was the Strikers' third in a row since their Round 3 reality check from Olympic, helping them into equal second ahead of the weekend's match against Western Pride.

The Jets, meanwhile, have fallen to seventh, but remain five points clear of Palm Beach in eighth.


FNQ Heat 1 (Sabbadin 19')
Central Queensland Energy 4 (Geddes 33', 75' Waterland 66' Wilson 88')

Central Queensland's players swatted aside the drama engulfing their club with a stunning 4-1 victory away to Far North Queensland on Saturday night.

CQ's first points of the season, achieved through three second-half goals, came at the end of a week in which the fallout from coach Joe Fenech's resignation continued to rage.

Chris Geddes has been one of few highlights for Energy this season and sparked the visitors' upset with both the equaliser and his team's third, aided in his work by former QSL star Sander Waterland and Jake Wilson.

The result moved Central Queensland two points ahead of the winless QAS, while Heat will look to increase their slim lead on CQ when they travel to meet Moreton Bay at Wolter Park.


Brisbane City 3 (Murray 65' Pase 69' Le Petit 84')
Western Pride 2 (Woodruffe 62' Dragar 88')

Antonio Murray moved one clear on the league's goalscoring charts as his Brisbane City did enough to hold off Western Pride in the first of a Goodwin Park double-header.

The five goals scored in the match came in a combined period of eleven minutes as City turned a 1-0 deficit into a 2-1 lead in the space of four minutes, before Dean Le Petit and Peter Dragar scored one each for either side to complete the scoring at 3-2 in City's favour.

Despite scoring the first and last goals of the match, the result relegated Pride to a fourth consecutive loss and ninth position.


Olympic FC 4 (McLean 37' Ingham 73' Tabulo 83' Archibald 89')
Sunshine Coast 1

Olympic restored their position as league-leaders on Sunday with a late burst conquering Sunshine Coast 4-1 at Goodwin Park.

The final match of the round and Sunday's double-header was set alight in the final twenty minutes as classy finishes from young winger Jai Ingham and new recruit Carl Tabulo set the scene for Ross Archibald's late rocket to send Olympic fans home on a high.

Wade Zammit had struck earlier in the second period to cancel out Jake McLean's first-half opener, but Fire were unable to prevent their hosts from finding clear space at the top of the table.

Read more..

Brisbane Premier League: Round Seven

Round Seven of the BPL saw the first clear gap open up in the standings, be it at the unglamorous end of the table. Brisbane Force, North Star and UQ all trail their nearest opponents by seven points, remaining pointless and conceding goals for fun. 

At the other end of the ladder, Wolves, Rochedale and Capalaba all enjoyed home wins, while leaders Lions were held by Ipswich. Finally, the late Sunday kick-off delivered the most dramatic finish, as Easts completed an impressive turnaround.             

Capalaba   3:0   North Star

A Lopez-Schiavo inspired Capalaba side condoned North Star to their fifth successive defeat in a comfortable home victory that leaves them in 5th spot.

Everyone will be talking about…

The most effective strike partnership in the league. Xavier Lopez and Antony Schiavo have been turning the screws on opposition defences week-in week-out and with 13 goals between them in six games, they are the league’s most lethal front pairing.       

Yeah, but what happened?

Overwhelming favourites before kick-off, Capalaba dominated possession and chances right from the offset. It didn’t take long for the Dogs to get on the scoresheet, Lopez getting on the end of a Joel Drewek free-kick with a sumptuous first-touch lob over the ‘keeper. Schiavo made it 2-0 right after the break when he capitalised on poor defending and wonderful supply from Greg Warden. In truth, the end margin could have been bigger for Capalaba, but Lopez’s late strike from a one-on-one situation proved to be the only addition to the scoreline.  

The numbers:

Capalaba – Lopez ’13, ’87; Schiavo ‘46

Looking ahead...

Capalaba will face much stiffer opposition when they travel to high-flying Albany Creek next week, while North Star remain in search of their first points, which could come at home to Easts.

Wolves FC   6:2   Brisbane Force

Wolves made it four successive wins as Clulow grabbed a hat-trick in a Saturday afternoon goal-fest against struggling Brisbane Force.

Everyone will be talking about…

Wolves’ form. Since a disappointing 0-1 opening day loss to Lions, Sam Saif’s men have torn all opposition to shreds, scoring 23 goals and conceding only five in the process.        

Yeah, but what happened?

The league’s joint top goalscorer Kado Aoci got the ball rolling early on with a low drive in the bottom corner. Trent Clulow grabbed his first of the evening soon after, but Force hit back through Marius Kalubi, who pounced on a Michael Pike mistake in goal. Force looked to be back in the contest but Chris Knowles restored the hosts’ two goal advantage right before half-time. That seemed to serve as a psychological blow for Force and the result was sealed when Clulow and Knowles completed their braces within ten minutes of the restart. Kalubi looked dangerous throughout the match and the Frenchman’s sublime 20-yard strike late on was among the pick of the goals. However all the plaudits went to Clulow, who sealed his hat-trick in stoppage time.        

The numbers:

Wolves – Aoci ’10; Clulow ’14, ’50, ’90; Knowles ’43, ‘53

Force – Kalubi ’22, ‘86

Looking ahead...

Wolves are arguably the in-form team in the league and will travel to Peninsula as favourites, in what is usually a hotly contested matchup. Force remain pointless as they prepare for the visit of Logan.

Rochedale Rovers   3:1   Albany Creek

High-flyers Albany Creek were quickly dragged down to Earth by Rochedale’s decisive first-half display.

Everyone will be talking about…

Rovers’ resilience when down to ten men. With Rhys Hastings receiving his marching orders in the 34^th minute, Rovers refused to panic, kept their shape and held on to the lead they had earlier established.          

Yeah, but what happened?

Matt Needham’s goalscoring fiesta in the BPL continued, Creek’s frontman getting on the scoresheet for the 8^th time in five games within ten minutes. The goal proved a double-edged sword for Creek, as Rochedale turned rampant with a furry of attacks in a frantic remainder of the first half. They were level through Greg Cheshire’s strike midway through the half and within seven minutes were two goals to the good. David Butler scored an early contender for goal of the season, controlling a long pass on his chest and volleying home in a moment of brilliance. Cody Lovell added a third moments later, but quickly went from hero to zero as he received his second yellow for a rash challenge. Creek had their chances in the second period but Rochedale held out for an impressive victory that sees them joint on 12 points with the visitors.                 

The numbers:

Rovers – Cheshire ’24; Butler ’28; Hastings ‘31

Creek – Needham ‘8

Looking ahead...

Rochedale have won four on the trot and will be confident ahead of their trip to Ipswich, while Albany Creek will be hungry to regain the taste of victory when they welcome Capalaba to Wolter Park.  

Logan Lightning   4:0   UQ FC

The horror continues for UQ as Logan piled on the goals in a thumping win at Cornubia Park on Saturday night.  

Everyone will be talking about…

A season to forget…continues for UQ. The students are still pointless after five matches and have managed a measly two goals, opposed to 21 conceded.             

Yeah, but what happened?

Uni’s defensive shape held on for a mere 20 minutes this time around – Trent Vohland breaking the deadlock for the hosts. One quickly became two with a well taken goal by Doyle Bissett ten minutes later. The home crowd did not have to wait as long for the third, Blake Cearns piling on the misery for a hapless UQ side. To their credit, the visitors regrouped in the second half and looked much more competitive, although the tempo of the game had largely died down by then. Logan did manage a 4^th, Jackson Hall getting his name on the scoresheet late on.                  

The numbers:

Logan  - Vohland ’21; Bissett ’32; Cearns ’35; Hall ‘88

Looking ahead...

Logan have a fantastic chance to grab two wins on the trot when they travel to fellow strugglers Brisbane Force next week. UQ look out of their depth in the league and will need a miraculous performance to take anything away from their match-up with top of the table Lions.  

Lions FC   1:1   Ipswich Knights

Ipswich held on for an impressive draw at Lions, who drop their first points of the season but remain top of the table.  

Everyone will be talking about…

Ipswich’s response to an early setback. Keita Furuie’s equaliser minutes after Lions had taken the lead took the hosts by surprise, from which they did not recover.

Yeah, but what happened?

A familiar storyline looked on the cards when Pablo Aviles opened the scoring for the hosts in the 11^th minute. But Ipswich had other ideas and immediately pressed the hosts up the park, forcing pressure on the Lions’ backline. They were soon rewarded as Furuie struck in the 16^th minute to the delight of the travelling support. It was a game of tussle for the remainder of the match, which Lions shaded but could not break down a resolute Knights unit.                   

The numbers:

Lions – Avile ‘11

Ipswich – Furuie ‘16

Looking ahead...

Lions will look at this match as two points dropped rather than a point gained, but they will have their mind clearly set on all three when they travel to UQ next week. Ipswich will take a lot of confidence from this performance into another tough encounter as hosts to Rochedale.    

Eastern Suburbs   2:1   Peninsula Power

Power’s inconsistent form continued as Easts recorded a crucial come from behind victory to keep them in the chasing pack for the top four.   

Everyone will be talking about…

Jordan Farina’s last-gasp injury time winner. With the game into stoppage time, Farina delivered the goods with a quality finish to send the home crowd into raptures.

Yeah, but what happened?

An impressive first half performance by Power was capped off by Lewis Bonar’s strike before half-time. But as they have shown earlier in the season, Power failed to maintain a steady tempo and Matthew Boyd punished them shortly after the restart. The visitors seemed content with a point but Easts had other ideas, committing men forward and getting their just reward for bold tactics through Farina.                     

The numbers:

Easts – Boyd ’50; Farina ‘90+1

Power – Bonar ‘42

Looking ahead...

Mid-table Easts will travel to pointless North Star as firm favourites next week, while Power will look to once again bounce back, this time at home to Wolves. 

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