A string of near-misses by Young Roar proved costly as FNQ Heat attacked on the counter to snare a 2-1 win in their PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues Queensland clash on Saturday night.
The Young Roar hit the woodwork in the 14th minute with a Nick D’Agostino freekick but two lapses of concentration in the 17th and 21st minutes were punished by the home side.
Brisbane pressured the Heat goal for the remainder of the match, and pulled one back through Jayden Prasad in the 69th minute, but couldn’t net a second for a much-deserved point.
Despite the heavy rain in the build-up, Young Roar’s passing game proved relatively unaffected by the soggy surface; however the visitors were ultimately left frustrated by a resolute Heat defensive effort.
Young Roar coach Josh McCloughan praised his team for their effort pointing out the scoreline did not reflect his side’s dominance.
The result sees undefeated Heat maintain their lead atop the competition table while the Young Roar remain mid-table.
Key Moments
14’: CHANCE FOR YOUNG ROAR – Nicholas D’Agostino strikes the post from a curling free-kick from 20 yards out.
17’: GOAL FOR HEAT – A three-pronged counter-attack Jamie Carrol’s pass is flicked on by Keiran Sanders to Darcy McCormack, who slots a composed finish past Young Roar goalkeeper Andre Jannese. 0-1
21’: GOAL FOR HEAT – Ari Isman crosses into Jamie Caroll whose initial shot is parried by Andre Jannese but Carroll quickly pounces on the second chance and tucks in the finish. 0-2
26’: CHANCE FOR YOUNG ROAR – Joe Caletti lines up a free-kick from just outside the penalty area but it fades across the face of goal.
30’: CHANCE FOR YOUNG ROAR – Nathan Konstandopoulos delivers a well-struck attempt but Heat goalkeeper Kevin Ward holds the shot.
35’: CHANCE FOR HEAT – Joshua Pin controls smartly with the chest from Kieran Sanders cross but can’t find the target with the ensuing strike.
45’: CHANCE FOR YOUNG ROAR – Nicholas D’Agostino again threatens from a free-kick just prior to half-time but the shot glances the post.
47’: CHANCE FOR YOUNG ROAR – A determined run by Nicholas D’Agostino into the penalty area before he lays off to Nathan Konstandopoulos who strikes the ball crisply but sends it high.
57’: CHANCE FOR YOUNG ROAR – Joseph Champness attempts to curl the ball past Kevin Ward but the Heat shot-stopper makes a full stretched save.
69’: GOAL FOR YOUNG ROAR – Nicholas Panetta crosses in to Jayden Prasad, who slams the ball into the back of the net. 1-2
Quote unquote
Young Roar Coach JOSH McCLOUGHAN: “We were by far the better team this afternoon and to be fair the only thing that was missing was a couple of goals. That’s something we need to keep working on.
“But in context of the performance the boys controlled the game in every single way except for putting the ball in the back of the net.“
FNQ Heat coach TIM CAMPBELL:“We knew that they would have the ball for big periods of this game. We knew we would have to be patient but we always thought we could catch them on the counter – and in the first half we did the job.“
What’s next
The Young Roar are back at Cleveland Showgrounds next Saturday when they take on North Fury FC (5pm KO)
Match stats
PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues 2016 – Round 7, Saturday, April 16, Barlow Park, Cairns
FNQ FC Heat 2 (Darcy MCCORMACK 17’, Jamie CARROLL 21’)
Brisbane Roar FC Youth 1 (Jayden PRASAD 68’)
Young Roar: 1. Andre JANNESE, 2. Jaiden WALKER, 3. Cameron CRESTANI, 4. Mark RODIC, 5. Matthew SCHMIDT, 6. Joe CALETTI, .7. Dane INGHAM (11. Jayden PRASAD 53’), 8. Nathan KONSTANDOPOULOS (23. Nicholas PANETTA 64’), 9. Nicholas D’AGOSTINO, 12. Joseph CHAMPNESS, 15. Jesse DALEY.
Unused substitutes: 20. Tomislav BILIC, 21. Tommy JARRAD
Yellow Cards: Jesse DALEY 12’
Red Cards: none
FNQ Heat: 1. Kevin WARD, 2. Shaun OWENS, 3. Shimon WATANABE, 4. Charlie BEVERLEY, 5. Ari ISMAN, 6. Jamie GOSLING, 7. Joshua PIN, 9. Jamie CARROLL (8. Christopher O’HARE 70’), 10. Kieran SANDERS (13. Mqondisi NKIWANE 85’), 11. Darcy MCCORMACK, 16. Bronson KOPPEN.
Unused substitutes: 12. Cameron NUCIFORA, 15. Matthew FILIP, 20. Joshua WILSON
Yellow Cards: Bronson KOPPEN 40’, Kieran SANDERS 53’
Red Cards: none
Match Officials: Lara LEE (referee), Chris DAWSON (assistant), Chris DOHERTY-FISHER (assistant), Lee MACMASTER (fourth)
