Elsewhere, NQ Razorbacks did the double over Queensland Academy of Sport this season with a 4-1 win, and Whitsunday Miners leapfrogged Capricorn Cougars into seventh spot after beating them 3-0.

Sunshine Coast FC were keen to impress QSL duty, following a washed out round and a win against the Queensland Roar last week. Although they led 1-0 at half-time, Sunshine Coast really stepped up in the second half, keeping possession for longer and creating more goal chances, resulting in a four goal haul after the break. The young, courageous Spirit side were simply out-classed and out-muscled by George Cowie’s men.

Olympic FC will be happy with their 3-2 win over local arch-rivals Brisbane Strikers at Perry Park on Saturday night. The game turned out to be extremely similar to the reverse fixture in Round 4 – both games started with an early goal to the Strikers, with Olympic then scoring twice in quick succession to take the lead. Once in front, Olympic again had a man sent off, this time Smiljan Jankovic for a second yellow card offence. Olympic scored again through Chris Hagell, before Gareth Musson scored the second for the Strikers, but after getting the lead, Olympic sat back and defended. Strikers couldn’t take advantage of the numerical difference, failing to trouble the side from Yeronga. Olympic held on to secure an important victory.

NQ Razorbacks jumped to third spot on the ladder with a 4-1 win over Queensland Academy of Sport, although second-placed Redlands City Devils and fourth-placed Strikers both have a game in hand. QAS started brightly and scored an impressive team goal which started deep in their own half, before being finished off by Tommy Oar. They managed to keep the Razorbacks quiet until the hour mark, before an exciting end to the game which saw a Josh Searle hat-trick and a late penalty from Lee Mayberry hand the Razorbacks the three points.

Whitsunday Miners won only their third game of the campaign, beating Capricorn Cougars 3-0 in a physical encounter which saw 12 yellow cards given by referee Nathan MacDonald. Despite a scoreless first half, former Cougar Michael Steere gave the home team the lead in the 55th minute, heading the ball in from close range. Captain Daniel Scotton scored the second and Miners’ leading goal-scorer Andy Cygan netted the third. Tristan Fraser came closest to getting a consolation for the Cougars, but his effort was ruled out for offside.

Logan United hosted Redlands City Devils at Clem Jones Fields, desperate for their second win of the season. They didn’t get it – but a spirited performance and ruthless determination saw the game end in a well-deserved 1-1 draw. Devils’ Irish import Barry Moran opened the scoring in the first half after Troy Wickstein knocked back a Yoshi Okada cross for a simple volley into the back of the net. The men in red led until late in the game before United launched a free-kick into the penalty box, where substitute Toru Seki was first to the ball and headed it home.

Words: Michelle Tobin

Picture: Matthew Boyd

QSL ROUND 12 RESULTS

NQ Razorbacks 4 (Joshua Searle 3, Lee Mayberry) - Queensland Academy of Sport 1 (Tom Oar)

Bundaberg Spirit 0 - Sunshine Coast FC 5 (Shaun Blackman, Tyson Holmes, Leon Dwyer, Beau Hodge, Lewis MacKinnon)

Brisbane Strikers 2 (Gareth Musson, Alex Panic) - Olympic FC 3 (Todd Gava OG, Shane Coffey, Chris Hagell)

Whitsunday Miners 3 (Michael Steere, Daniel Scotton, Andy Cygan) - Capricorn Cougars 0

Logan United 1 (Toru Seki) - Redlands City Devils 1 (Barry Moran)