More than 3,000 local football fans have turned out in Mackay to see Hyundai A-League club Brisbane Roar secure a 5-0 victory over National Premier Leagues (NPL) side Magpies Crusaders United.
Plenty of young footballers in town for the inaugural Football Queensland (FQ) Community Cup made up the lively crowd, as the Roar finished off their week-long pre-season camp with a big result at BB Print Stadium.
The Roar went ahead early, winning a penalty when new signing Stefan Mauk was fouled inside the penalty area and Eric Bautheac converted from the spot.
Henrique continued the scoring with well-taken brace after the break, including another penalty for Brisbane, either side of goals from youngsters Mirza Muratovic and Adam Sawyer.
Roar coach John Aloisi said spending the whole week in Mackay had been a great experience.
“We’ve enjoyed coming to Mackay and it’s great coming out to the regional areas,” Aloisi said.
“We hope young footballers enjoyed the match tonight. We’d love to come here again.
“There were a lot of Brisbane Roar supporters here tonight and to see so many people here supporting us, it’s really important of us to show our appreciation.”
Former NPL Queensland star Dylan Wenzel-Halls, who signed for the Roar in May, was dangerous against the Magpies.
NPL Women’s match officials Taylah Scholefield and Ellie Jones, two of eight referee coaches at the FQ Community Cup, were assistant referees alongside Hyundai A-League referee Jarred Gillett.
The Magpies now host Gold Coast United this Sunday at Sologinkin Oval in Round 21 of the NPL Queensland, while the Roar prepare for their FFA Cup Round of 32 match against Melbourne City at Redcliffe’s Dolphin Stadium on Tuesday, 7 August.
Magpies Crusaders 0
Brisbane Roar 5 (Bautheac 12′ (pen), Henrique 49′ (pen), 83′, Muratovic 78′, Sawyer 85′)
BB Print Stadium, Mackay
Thursday, 12 July
Crowd: 3,122