Sunshine Coast FC inflicted Queensland Academy of Sport with their biggest loss of the season, 7-0, while NQ Razorbacks took second place with a win over Redlands City Devils. Capricorn Cougars did Razorbacks a favour by upsetting an experienced Brisbane Strikers outfit, and the other game of the round saw Olympic FC and Logan United FC share the spoils.

Whitsunday Miners travelled to Bundaberg to play the Spirit with a depleted squad, missing no less than six of their key players to both injury and suspension. The game remained scoreless until just before the hour mark when Jason De Papi scored his first goal of the season for the Spirit. Experienced midfielder Aaron Bakker then hit the back of the net twice in five minutes to give the Spirit their first win since 17 May.

Redlands City Devils’ inconsistent form in the latter part of the season continued on Saturday night as they lost 2-1 to the NQ Razorbacks. Although both sides went into the break at 0-0, an impressive second half performance from an exciting Razorbacks side saw them score twice through the speedy Sean Burke and David Mayes’ 10th goal of the season. Troy Wickstein scored the Devils’ only goal. The result sees North Queensland again leapfrog into second place on the ladder.

Olympic FC and Logan United each took a point in a wet encounter at Goodwin Park. Nineteen-year-old Jack Petrie’s first half strike was levelled by the lively Toru Seki in a game with plenty of chances for either side to take the win. Logan’s task was not made easier when Daniel Gecic was sent off for a second offence, but both teams managed to hold on to the draw.

Capricorn Cougars surprised Brisbane Strikers scoring two goals to take the win. Stuart McLaren’s men conceded just one minute into the match, before equalising through Myles Carseldine ten minutes later. Joe Burke’s second of the game ensured the three points were going back to Rockhampton, before Carseldine turned villain, receiving his second yellow card and his marching orders.

The QAS took on minor Premiers Sunshine Coast FC knowing that it would be a formidable task to claim victory over the league’s only unbeaten side. The first half was a fairly even contest, with both teams impressing when in possession. Sunshine Coast took the lead just before the break, and the QAS continued to take the game to the Fire when play resumed. Once the Sunshine Coast got their second, it was no looking back – another five unanswered goals left the final scoreline at 7-0. Shaun Blackman hit four past the QAS bringing his goal tally this season to an extraordinary 21 goals in just 16 games.

Words by Michelle Tobin

Photo by Keith Eigeland.

QSL ROUND 17

Bundaberg Spirit 3 (Aaron Bakker 2, Jason De Papi) - Whitsunday Miners 0

Redlands City Devils 1 (Troy Wickstein) - NQ Razorbacks 2 (Sean Burke, David Mayes)

Olympic FC 1 (Jack Petrie) - Logan United FC 1 (Toru Seki)

Brisbane Strikers FC 1 (Myles Carseldine) - Capricorn Cougars 2 (Joseph Burke 2)

Sunshine Coast FC 7 (Shaun Blackman 4, Luke Bennett 2, Tyson Holmes) - Queensland Academy of Sport 0