Brisbane Roar Youth have gone top of the table after beating local rivals Gold Coast United Youth 1-0 in a thrilling encounter at Spencer Park on Sunday.
The win represents the first time a Brisbane Roar side has ever beaten a Gold Coast team and marks a stunning turnaround from their 4-1 loss to Sydney last week.
It was a physical opening to the match with referee Adam Kersey awarding five free kicks in the opening five minutes, with both sides striving for an early advantage.
The Gold Coast had the best opportunity to open the scoring in the 9th minute when James Brown received a through ball from the wing, yet he could only blast his shot well over the bar.
Moments later the Gold Coast had another great opportunity when Chris Broadfoot‘s finessed shot beat Brisbane keeper Andrew Redmayne, however defender James Donachie managed to clear it off the line.
Waves of Gold Coast attacks resulted in another opportunity for the away side in the 26th minute when Broadfoot was again left unmarked in the box, his finishing letting him down for a second time heading a pinpoint cross over the bar.
Brisbane went close to scoring against the run of play in the 31st minute when Rocky Visconte, running onto a dangerous through ball from Jacob McLean, had his shot palmed only inches wide by Gold Coast ‘keeper Jerrad Tyson.
Brisbane went close again only minutes later, Luke Brattan-s curled free kick, although finding Mclean open, could only be headed directly into the hands of the keeper.
After a physical and tightly contested first half, both sides went into the locker room ruing their missed opportunities as the game was locked at nil all at the break.
Brisbane took the game to their opponents from the outset of the second half, scoring just three minutes after the restart courtesy of Ken Dougall strike.
The young midfielder ran onto an accurate Brattan through ball before pushing the ball past the outstretched arms of the keeper.
Although giving Brisbane the lead, the goal did not change the high tempo nature of the match as both sides pushed hard with neither side truly dominating.
Poor finishing prevented the Gold Coast from tying the scores in the 70th minute, when Zac Anderson headed well clear of the goal from a Mitch Cooper free Kick.
Anderson missed another opportunity ten minutes later, heading another free kick, this time from Koh Satake, over the bar and once again letting Brisbane off the hook.
Gold Coast pushed everyone foward in the final minutes of the match, however they lacked the execution required to break down a stout Brisbane defence.
Brisbane coach John Sime was proud of his players’ effort, lauding it one of the best games he had seen from them.
“To be honest that was the best we have played all season, we have never beaten the Gold Coast and today we were at the top of our game; the boys deserved the win and I-m very happy,” he said.
“Before the game I said to the boys that I want a good performance out of them and they said to me that they wanted the win, we both got what we wanted today.”
Sime was also quick to pay praise to the new style of football being introduced to the club this year and said that it has been a big part of his team-s success.
“The club as a whole wants to pass the ball and play attractive football, which has been a real factor as to why the boys have been playing so well,” he said.
“It-s a matter of playing good football and putting in good performances and this side has managed to do that today.”
Brisbane Roar 1 (Kenneth Dougall 49-)
Gold Coast United 0
Sunday, 7 November 2010
Spencer Park, Brisbane
Referee: Adam Kersey
Brisbane Roar line-up: 1. Andrew REDMAYNE (GK) (20. Matt ACTON (GK) 46-), 3. Alastair QUINN, 5. Daniel BOWLES, 6.Rocco VISCONTE (11.Joshua MCVEY 46-), 7. Christopher BUSH (C), 8. James DONACHIE, 10.Jacob MCLEAN (2. Liam MCCORMICK 59-), 12. Kenneth DOUGAL (14. Ross ARCHIBALD 59-), 15. James MEYER, 18. Luke BRATTAN.
Substitutes Not Used: Nil
Yellow Cards: James DONACHIE 52′, Daniel BOWLES 77′
Red Cards: Nil
Gold Coast United line-up: 1. Jerrad TYSON (GK), 2. Joshua BRILLIANTE, 3. Andrew BARISIC, 5. Ben WEARING, 6. Koh SATAKE, 7. Zac ANDERSON, 8. Steven LUSTICA (C) (4. Neko VUJEVICH 59-), 10. James BROWN (14. Mitch COOPER 59-), 11. Tahj MINNIECON (9. Chris Harold 46-), 13. Chris BROADFOOT, 14. Mitch COOPER, 15. Matija SIMIC, 20. Tim ANDERSON (GK).
Substitutes Not Used: 20. Tim ANDERSON
Yellow Cards: Steven LUSTICA 57′, James BROWN 60′, Andrew BARASIC 60′, Koh SATAKE 67′
Red Cards: Nil
