Sharks Claim Three Straight
Words: Staff Writers
Image: Brisbane Roar FC
Palm Beach SC continued their fine run of recent form with a 3-1 win over Brisbane Roar Youth at Cleveland Showgrounds on Wednesday night.
Despite a fluent first-half performance from the home side, Sharks snatched the lead on the stroke of half-time and added two more after the restart to make it three in three.
Defeat for Young Roar concludes their campaign in sixth place with nine wins and five draws to carry into the upcoming Foxtel National Youth League season.
The visitors had the first real chance of the game in the sixth minute when Young Roar keeper Tom Bilic used his legs to block a fierce shot from the Sharks’ Roman Hofmann, who was prominent all night before being rewarded with an early substitution in the 64th minute.
Young Roar hit back following the early scare to threaten on several occasions through Sam Sibatuara, Shelford Dais and Adam Sawyer.
However, after earning a corner seconds before the break, Sharks’ Tim Jackson glanced a header in off the upright to open the scoring with the last action of the half.
It was 2-0 on the hour when the versatile Hofmann stepped up to convert a penalty and set his side on course for a fifth-place finish.
Another penalty was awarded in the 72nd minute when Young Roar’s Tommy Miller was upended in the box, leaving Dane Ingham to halve the deficit by powerfully burying his spot kick.
The comeback was cut short around 10 minutes later as Kristian Rees restored Sharks’ two-goal advantage.
After Bilic kept the youngsters in the game with a save from substitute Josh Riis, the experienced Rees scrambled home from the ensuing corner to cap the 3-1 scoreline.
While Young Roar’s PlayStation® 4 NPL Queensland commitments are over, Sharks have one remaining catch-up fixture away to Brisbane City to negotiate before their Westfield FFA Cup tie against Western Sydney Wanderers on Tuesday night.
Speaking after the match, Young Roar coach John Sime praised his team’s showing, particularly the first 45 minutes.
“It was very, very promising. It really just made the season worthwhile I think, today’s performance,” Sime said.
Sharks coach Grae Piddick said the result instilled confidence ahead of Wanderers’ visit.
“It was good practice for us for Tuesday … it lets us know if we’re organised and we play with a plan we can be difficult to break down,” Piddick said.
Brisbane Roar FC Youth 1 (Dane INGHAM p.73’)
Palm Beach SC 3 (Tim JACKSON 45+1’ Roman HOFMANN p.62’ Kristian REES 83’)
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