A draw was enough for Olympic to reclaim top spot as Western Pride fell to defeat at the hands of Lions FC

The race for finals tightens with only one point now separating the top four teams after 19 rounds of the NPL Queensland.

Brisbane Strikers FC 3 (Stevens 30’, Clulow 76’, Omori 56’)
Cairns FC 5 (Taylor 20’, 60’, 90+2’, O’Hare 59’, Slotemaker 85’)
Perry Park 1

Josh Taylor hat-trick inspires dominant win for Cairns

The road trip to Brisbane didn’t affect Cairns FC on the weekend as they defeated Brisbane Strikers 5-3 at Perry Park on Saturday night.

Three goals for the home side weren’t enough to seal the victory, with a first-half hat-trick to Josh Taylor and second half goals to Chris O’Hare and Johnson Slotemaker securing the three points for Cairns FC.

Taylor’s treble brings the Cairns striker’s season goal tally to 20, only three goals behind Dylan Wenzel-Halls (now playing for Brisbane Roar) in the race for the Golden Boot lead.

Western Pride FC 2 (Pengelly 50’, Crestani 80’)
Lions FC 3 (OG 48’, Carlos 67’, Hore 84’)
Briggs Road Sporting Complex 1

Pride lose top spot in action-packed match

Western Pride lost top spot after an action-packed match on the weekend, falling to a 3-2 defeat against Lions FC.

An own goal and second-half goals to Shaun Carlos and Mitchell Hore secured the win for Lions, even after conceding two goals shortly after two of their own.

In a match ridden with cautions, Pride finished the game with only nine men after send-offs in the 15th and 90th minutes, but were lucky to only lose by one as Lions goalkeeper Luke Borean missed a penalty for the away side in the dying stages of the game.

Lions remain in third spot after the victory but find themselves on equal points with both Western Pride and Moreton Bay United.

 

North QLD United FC 0
SWQ Thunder FC 1 (Grant 61’)
Brolga Park 1

Fifth straight loss for North QLD United

SWQ Thunder secured a 1-0 victory against North QLD United at Brolga Park on Saturday night.

A 61st minute goal to Anthony Grant was enough for SWQ Thunder to take home the three points as North QLD United fell to their fifth straight loss.

SWQ Thunder remain in 10th position after the win, whilst North QLD United still sit in 13th position after 19 rounds.

 

Redlands United FC 6 (Sherwood 7’, Mcauley 11’, 35’, 80’, Fyfe 77’, Hughes 90’)
Sunshine Coast FC 2 (Hudson 34’, Standish 39’)
Cleveland Showgrounds 1

Convincing win for Redlands

Redlands United FC secured a convincing win at home against Sunshine Coast FC on Saturday night.

A Connor Mcauley hat-trick helped the home side to a 6-2 victory, with goals to Jake Sherwood, Graham Fyfe and Ryan Hughes rounding out the scoring for Redlands.

First half goals to Taj Hudson and Sam Standish were only consolation for Sunshine Coast who remain winless since Round 2.

 

Magpies Crusaders FC 1 (Farquhar 20’)
Moreton Bay United FC 2 (Jomanday 29’, Smith 60’)
Sologinkin Oval, Mackay

Moreton Bay cement top four spot

Moreton Bay United FC cemented their top four spot with a 2-1 victory over Magpies Crusaders FC in Mackay on Saturday night.

The home side opened the scoring with a 20th minute goal to Lewis Farquhar, before Moreton Bay hit back less than ten minutes later with a goal to Sekou Jomanday.

A 60th minute goal to Declan Smith secured the three points for fourth-placed Moreton Bay who ended the game with 10 men and are now only one point behind ladder leaders Olympic FC.

Olympic FC 2 (Lofthouse 24’, 45’)
Gold Coast United FC 2 (Reeves 10’, 47’)
Goodwin Park 1

Olympic reclaim top spot

Olympic FC were held to a draw on Sunday evening against Gold Coast United at Goodwin Park but with Western Pride falling to a loss, the draw was enough for Olympic to reclaim top spot.

A first half double to Jez Lofthouse saw the home side head to the sheds 2-1 up at half time, but Gold Coast’s Brandon Reeves scored his second just after the break to ensure his team took home a point.

Brisbane Roar FC Youth 1 (Talbot 64’)
Brisbane City FC 1 (Sibatuara 2’)
Logan Metro Sports Complex

City held to draw on misty night

Brisbane Roar FC Youth and Brisbane City FC were held to a draw on a misty Sunday night at Logan Metro Sports Complex.

Brisbane City got off to an early lead thanks to a Samuel Sibatuara goal in the second minute and led until the 64th minute, when the home side hit back with a goal to 15-year-old debutant Harry Talbot.

A series of great saves by Young Roar goalkeeper Macklin Freke ensured Brisbane City remained scoreless in the second half, with both teams taking home a point after the 1-1 draw.

 

Words: Elizabeth Lepre
Image: Patrick Kearney