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North Star 1:3 Peninsula Power
Peninsula Power maintained their solid form by recording their fourth
consecutive win, downing North Star to move to within four points of leaders
Lions.
Everyone will be talking about…
Can Power round out the big three? With Lions and Wolves seemingly
running away from the chasing pack during the first half of the season,
Peninsula have embarked on an impressive run of consistency that sees them sit
in third – six points above fourth-placed Capalaba and only a point behind
second-placed Wolves.
Yeah, but what happened?
In truth, North Star never really got into the game. Coming into the
match on a high after their victory at Force last week, the home supporters
expected more than going behind to an early Michael Baird goal. The returning
frontman made it two straight after the break, killing off any half-time
strategy Star might have brought out. Veteran Warren Moon sealed the result just
shy of the hour mark, before Samuel Basnett restored some pride with 15 minutes
to play.
The numbers:
Star – Basnett ‘77
Power – Baird ‘8, ’47; Moon ‘57
Looking ahead...
Power will be hot favourites to grab their fifth straight win when they
travel to struggling Albany Creek next week, while Star can bounce back
immediately when they welcome UQ.
Wolves FC 3:3 Lions FC
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| Wolves' Kado Aoci scores the opener for Wolves. Photo: Ian Judd - FB Media |
Wolves FC 3:3 Lions FC
The most anticipated showdown of the BPL season thus far lived up to the
hype with Christopher Knowles scoring two late goals to snatch a miraculous
draw for Wolves.
Everyone will be talking about…
The remarkable comeback, high quality of goals and the spectacle as a
whole. Statistically the two best sides in the league, Wolves and Lions
contested one of the great BPL matches in front of a capacity crowd.
Yeah, but what happened?
A lively start to the game produced an early goal to the delight of the
home crowd. Sasa Radulovic’s corner was met by no other than diminutive forward
Kado Aoci, whose instinctive flick at the front post sent the ball past Phillip
Zabaks. The goal didn’t seem to deter Lions, who pressed forward and soon got
an equaliser. Pablo Aviles’ long through ball was marginally kept in by Andrew
Butler, whose first-time cross fell invitingly to Shoheel Khan. The in-form
striker’s volley found its way past Michael Pike via a Drew Jeskey deflection.
There were few clear cut opportunities for the rest of the half - the stage set
for a decisive second 45.
Wolves looked dangerous through Radulovic and Clulow’s centres, while
Aoci was doing his best to grab the headlines with two spectacular bicycle kick
attempts. But as so often happens in big profile matches, margins are narrow
and moments of individual brilliance or madness can be decisive. It was a case
of brilliance three minutes into the second half. Aviles’ long punt up-field
gave Brodie Kenyon reason to chase, as well as Pike to rush out of his area and
clear. Clear he did, powerfully heading the ball straight into the path of the
oncoming Shaun Carlos, who struck a volley that curled in from somewhat 30
metres out. The visitors were in seventh heaven moments after, Shoheel Khan
delivering a solo effort that will be hard to beat for goal of the season. The
young striker picked up Parson’s long clearance, skinned Thomas Torzsok,
shrugged off James Richards and blasted a near-post shot too hot for Pike to
handle.
What followed was a remarkable run of events, ignited by Khan turning
from hero to villain on 65 minutes. He was shown his second yellow card after
going studs-up into a challenge with Drew Jeskey, although contact seemed
minimal. Wolves peppered Lions’ goal thereafter, but the visitors held on and
looked assured to snatch a memorable victory. But after Knowles struck a header
in a goalmouth tussle that bounced off the post and past a despairing Zabaks,
Wolves were back in it. The sensational script was complete when Knowles got
his brace after pouncing on a rebound in the penalty area and thumping home a
stoppage time equaliser to send the home crowd into delirium. It seemed a
fitting end to an unforgettable night of football.
The numbers:
Wolves – Aoci ’12; Knowles ’87, ‘90+1
Lions – Khan ’23, ’50; Carlos ‘48
Looking ahead...
Lions remain unbeaten this season and will expect to get back to winning
ways when they host Logan next week, while Wolves face another tough encounter
at Rochedale.
Brisbane Force 4:1 Albany Creek
A commanding display by Brisbane Force toppled Albany Creek to their
fourth consecutive defeat and within danger of altogether losing touch with the
top four.
Everyone will be talking about…
Force’s superiority and Creek’s troubles. For a side that had only won
one previous match this season, the margin of victory indicates a lot of
trouble in Creek’s camp.
Yeah, but what happened?
Having held off a dangerous looking Force frontline, Albany Creek seemed
to be heading to the break the happier of the two sides, but for a late Mustafa
Jafari goal that changed their half-time perspective. The result seemed wrapped
up within ten minutes of the restart, as first Jake Shorter and then Richard
Datannie piled further misery on the visitors. Matthew van Daalen grabbed one
back for Creek, but Datannie’s second completed the rout that sees Force climb
to 10th.
The numbers:
Force – Jafari ’42; Shorter ’48; Datannie ’56, ‘90+2
Creek – van Daalen ’69
Looking ahead...
Force will look to maintain momentum when they travel to Ipswich next
week. Albany Creek have it all to do if they are to break their horrid run of
results – they host an in-form Peninsula.
Ipswich Knights 1:1 Logan
Lightning
A late Daley Kemel goal snatched a point for Logan that sees them remain
in seventh place – level on points with the hosts.
Everyone will be talking about…
Ipswich’s inability to grind out a result. For the second consecutive
week, Ipswich have conceded at the death, last week falling to a late Wolves
winner.
Yeah, but what happened?
Quickly gaining a reputation as a team of narrow margins, Ipswich once
again took a slender first-half lead through Alex Anderson, as attempts to
increase it proved fruitless. The Knights have scored the fewest goals in the
league bar UQ and North Star, but their defence has also remained solid –
statistically the fourth best in the BPL. For all their effort Ipswich yet
again didn’t close out the 90 minutes, Daley Kemel’s 88th minute
strike ensuring Logan are now unbeaten in three.
The numbers:
Ipswich – Anderson ‘32
Logan – Kemel ‘88
Looking ahead...
Ipswich will be desperate to make the most from their chances when they
welcome Brisbane Force next week, while Logan will be heavy underdogs away to
Lions.
Capalaba 2:1 UQ FC
Capalaba scored deep into stoppage time to complete a remarkable turnaround
after surprisingly trailing at half-time.
Everyone will be talking about…
The late winner. Arriving in the second minute of stoppage time, The
Dogs narrowly managed to save their blushes at home to Uni.
Yeah, but what happened?
The first half was dominated by Capalaba, but the students scored right
before half-time completely against the run of play. The Dogs quickly picked up
the tempo after the restart and found an equaliser before the hour mark. What
followed was a barrage of chances for the hosts, but thanks to some poor
finishing and desperate defending, Uni were looking likely to snatch their first
point of the season. It wasn’t to be, as the Dogs finally broke through to the
relief of the home crowd.
Looking ahead...
Capalaba will hope for a better performance when
Easts travel to Carmichael Park next Saturday night. UQ came ever so close to
recording their first point – they’ll be hoping to go one better when they
visit North Star.
Eastern Suburbs 2:1 Rochedale Rovers
An Apai Ukuno double either side of the break helped Easts to all three
points against a disappointed Rovers side who drop out of the four.
Everyone will be talking about…
Rochedale’s inconsistency. A team known for its continuity and solid
youth base, the Rovers aren’t producing the consistent results their fans have
become accustomed to.
Yeah, but what happened?
Ukuno’s deadly finishing proved the highlight of the first half, as the
Tigers’ top scorer broke the deadlock in the 24th minute. Rochedale
looked composed for a side chasing the game and they were back level soon after
the restart through Greg Cheshire’s first goal in over a month. But Ukuno
proved the difference again, his unstoppable strike on the hour mark returning
Easts’ ascendancy. The Tigers competed bravely to nullify Rochedale’s forays
forward and hold on to a valuable three points.
The numbers:
Easts – Ukuno ’24, ‘61
Rochedale – Cheshire ‘52
Looking ahead...
Easts swap their routine Sunday kick-off for a
Saturday night clash at Capalaba next week, while Rochedale need to find their
missing touch if they are to take anything away from a home clash with Wolves.