Whitsunday Miners celebrated their first three points in 2009 in spectacular fashion, beating Bundaberg Spirit 6-1 at Martens Oval. A midweek change in coach for the Spirit was not enough to see them avoid the defeat - coach Lyn Hodgkinson has been temporarily replaced by Football Bundaberg's Director of Coaching Richard Mitchell. For the second week running, Bundaberg scored the opening goal, this time through youngster Arian Dubroy, before conceding six goals, including a Michael VanMoolenbroek hat-trick.

 

Sunshine Coast FC suffered their third loss in a row, going down 3-0 to Capricorn Cougars. With the first half goalless, new Cougars coach Brad Smith, in just his second game in charge, ignited his troops, who managed to score three after the break. Captain Roy Bob led the way, hitting a powerful volley just two minutes after the restart before Tristan Fraser and Michael Cay each added one. The victory meant that Sunshine Coast drop down to sixth on the ladder.

Redlands City Devils' attempts to keep in the top four where given a boost when they came from behind to beat FNQ Bulls in Saturday night's late kick-off. The Bulls got off to the better start with vice-captain Glen Hurney curling home a spectacular free kick and the in-form Steven Cater drilling a shot into the back of the net within a number of minutes to take the lead. But the Bulls will learn not to sit back despite holding the lead, as the Devils' comeback started when Russell Woodruffe hit his fourth goal of the season to give his side a well-needed boost going into half-time.  Graham Fyfe and Wayne Knipe each got their first goals of the campaign before Woodruffe slotted home a penalty in the 86th minute to seal the victory.

Olympic FC travelled north in pursuit of their fifth consecutive victory, Bobby Hamilton's men yet to drop a point in the league so far. Their opponents, the Razorbacks, appeared to be no pushovers and made things difficult for the travelling side. Olympic finally got their breakthrough goal in the 75th minute through skipper Chris Hagell before Andrew Oar scored his fifth goal in as many games.

Queensland Academy of Sport and Logan United played out an entertaining draw in the final game of the round at Clem Jones Fields. Logan's Reggie Davani headed home after 12 minutes, before Mitch Nelis took down QAS striker Josh McVey in the box and referee Paul Eldridge awarded a penalty. Jordan Farina made no mistake from the spot, leveling the scores to 1-1. McVey then took his side into a lead with a low drive into the goal corner before having to be taken off after a clash with a Logan defender. The home side equalized in the 63rd minute through Jackson Dixon-Best to ensure the points were shared.

For highlights of the game, click here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2n4IiofBvXE

Hyundai QSL Results - Round 5

Bundaberg Spirit 1 (Arian Dubroy 12') - Whitsunday Miners 6 (Michael VanMoolenbroek 22', 28', 62', Mark Rhodes 72', 90', Brett Rebetze 75')

 

FNQ Bulls 2 (Glen Hurney 23', Steven Cater 25') -  Redlands City Devils 4 (Russell Woodruffe 45', 86' (p), Graham Fyfe 55', Wayne Knipe 74')

 

Capricorn Cougars 3 (Roy Bob 47', Tristan Fraser 50', Michael Cay 81') - Sunshine Coast FC 0

NQ Razorbacks 0 - Olympic FC 2 (Chris Hagell 75', Andrew Oar 87')

 

Logan United 2 (Reggie Davani 12', Jackson Dixon-Best 63') - Queensland Academy of Sport 2 (Jordan Farina 19' (p), Josh McVey 29')

 

Words: Michelle Tobin

Picture: www.sport-in-digital.com.au