Young Roar picked up a 3-0 victory on the road against Gold Coast United in NPL Queensland Round 21 action at Coplick Family Sports Park on Saturday evening.
A Rylan Brownlie hat-trick secured all three points for Roar as they picked up their fifth win of the 2024 NPL Queensland season in commanding fashion.
Brownlie opened the scoring in the 17th minute when he pounced a loose ball in the area and finished after the United defence produced a pair of blocks to deny Lucas Herrington’s initial efforts on the end of a James Durrington corner.
Three minutes later Brownlie won and converted a penalty after driving into the area and being brought down by Brayden Spink before stepping up to send Carlos Saliaderre the wrong way with a composed spot kick.
Roar came within inches of a third in the 23rd minute when Jamie Waddington fired a first time effort over the bar from close range.
United’s best chance of the match fell to Robert Harker, who found himself in space at the back post before having his effort on goal stoically blocked by a sliding challenge from Herrington in the closing stages of the first half.
Brownlie continued to wreak havoc upon the United defence with his pace after the break and won a second penalty when he was fouled by Lachlan Remmers inside the area which he coolly dispatched to complete his hat-trick.
The 17-year-old, who is Roar’s youngest ever A-League Men’s goal scorer after finding the back of the net against Melbourne City in December last year nearly had a fourth when he fizzed an effort over the bar from inside the area after being played in by Louis Zabala.
Brownlie’s hat-trick takes him to seven NPL goals this season, one shy of the sides top scorer Ivan Ozzi.
Saturday’s 3-0 win sees Roar climb to ninth position on the NPL ladder heading into the final round of the regular season.
Roar’s U23 side opened up a four point lead at the top of the table after defeating United 4-0 in the evening’s earlier kick off.
The league’s leading scorer, Zac Fowler netted a hat-trick to take his tally to 25 goals for the season while Kade McDougall chipped in with Roar’s other goal to seal a result which means Roar can claim the Premiership with victory over Sunshine Coast Wanderers next weekend.
Roar will host the Wanderers at Nudgee Recreation Reserve in Round 22 action next Friday night while the U23’s will battle the same opponent at the same venue on Saturday afternoon.
MATCH DETAILS
NPL Queensland 2024 – Round 21: Gold Coast United v Brisbane Roar
Coplick Family Sports Park
Saturday, 10 August
Gold Coast United – 0
Brisbane Roar – 3 (Rylan BROWNLIE 18’ 22’ 51’)
