Words: Michael Flynn
Additional Reporting: Karl Gough & Jennifer Thompson
Images: FNQ FC Heat

Skipper Jamie Carroll netted a double as FNQ Heat booked their third straight appearance in the Westfield FFA Cup Round of 32 with a 4-2 win over Frenchville SC at Barlow Park.

Considered underdogs coming into the contest, Frenchville benefitted from a own goal only minutes into the match before Heat wrested control – storming to a half-time lead via Carroll and a penalty from Jamie Gosling.

Carroll wrapped up his haul shortly after the restart before Ari Isman effectively booked his side’s return to the national stage with twenty minutes remaining.

Frenchville’s star attacker Michael Cay pulled a further goal back entering the final quarter hour from the penalty spot, however Heat held firm for the remainder of the contest.

Heat now join fellow PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues Queensland clubs Brisbane Strikers and Redlands United in the Round of 32, along with Gold Coast based community club Surfers Paradise Apollo.

The result marks the second straight year Frenchville have fallen at the final qualifying hurdle to Heat.

Key Moments

4’ – GOAL FOR FRENCHVILLE – Captain Jesse Thompson’s free-kick from the right sideline is met by the head of Daniel Trim before taking a clear deflection of Heat’s Bronson Koppen for an own goal

18’ – GOAL FOR HEAT – A cross from the byline is aimed towards the back post and met by unmarked Heat skipper Jamie Carroll who glances home in with a pin-point header

19’ – CHANCE FOR HEAT – Charlie Beverley strikes from 20 yards out and see his shot strike the crossbar and bounce dangerously just in front of the line before being cleared

33’ – GOAL FOR HEAT – Carroll is brought down inside the area to win a penalty allowing Jamie Gosling to send Frenchville goalkeeper Robert Day with a calculated spot kick

35’ – CHANCE FOR HEAT – Carroll bounds in from out wide and forces an initial save from Day which falls invitingly for Kieran Sanders but his effort is also palmed away by Day

49’ – GOAL FOR HEAT – Carroll wraps up his brace after a ball across the six yard box picks him out and he fires the finish into the back of the net with aplomb

53’ – CHANCE FOR FRENCHVILLE – Daniel Trim’s through ball splits the Heat defence and is latched onto by Jordan Miller but Heat goalkeeper Joshua Wilson is up to task to close down the chance

70’ – GOAL FOR HEAT – The ball bobbles around at the top of the box before falling invitingly for Ari Isman to tuck it home at close range

74’ – GOAL FOR FRENCHVILLE – Beverley is pinged for handball inside the penalty area allow Michael Cay to send Wilson the wrong way from the spot kick

What They Said

“We thought we’d keep the ball a bit more tonight. It’s a big pitch at Barlow and we haven’t been here for a while. So we played a real possession game and it seemed to do us well. Even though we didn’t turn a lot of chances into goals and convert them, we controlled the game really all the way through. In saying that Frenchville had periods where they did well and put us under pressure but we felt we were in control once we came back from the early goal.“ – Tim Campbell, FNQ FC Heat coach

“It’s really hard to be disappointed with that effort from our guys. Obviously we’re an amateur team and only train two nights a week, so to come up against the big boys and put in that sort of effort was really pleasing. The other pleasing thing is that the players are really disappointed about the result. It just goes to prove that if we were in their shoes and training three or four nights a week we could certainly compete.“ – Justin Kilshaw, Frenchville SC coach

Match Details

Westfield FFA Cup 2016 – Preliminary Round 7 Northern Regional Qualifying Zone

Saturday, June 11
Barlow Park, Cairns

FNQ FC Heat – 4 (Jamie CARROLL 18’ 49’, Jamie GOSLING 33’p, Ari ISMAN 70’)
Frenchville SC – 2 (own goal 4’, Michael CAY 74’)

Match Centre – http://bit.ly/1Yh25pP

Match Officials - Graham BUZZI (referee), Liam O’CONNOR (assistant), Chris DOHERTY-FISHER (assistant), Wayne KYUPERS (fourth)