Depth stops City sinking

Subs to thank for league leader’s comeback win

terry.wilson@news.com.au bench that had a major say in the result.

Coach Grae Piddick said the injection of Rhys Saunders, Ben Lyvidikos and Nik Mirkovic in quick succession early in the second half added plenty to the team effort and helped get City back in the game before ultimately stealing all three points.

“They lifted us and helped get back control after Brisbane 2018 COMMONWEALTH GAMES HOST CITY went ahead,” Piddick said.

Gold Coast scored first through a 33-minute penalty from Roman Hofmann but when Brisbane’s Nathan Bird scored two goals in four minutes early in the second half Piddick’s hand was forced.

With fresh legs and plenty of quality coming off the pine Gold Coast dominated and big striker Sam Smith hit twice in the 79th and 83rd minutes to hand the visitors three points that kept them a win ahead of Brisbane Strikers on standings.

Smith took his season tally to an official 11 for the season although unofficially he has 12 because match figures did not give him the one he scored earlier against the Strikers.

It was the English import’s first multiple haul of the current campaign.

“A good comeback after going down, good to fight back for a win,” Piddick said.

“We were playing a very good team and at times we had to defend well – and to manage that was encouraging.”

City now interrupt their NPLQ title chase for a regional FFA Cup qualifier against Caloundra at Mallawa Drive on Saturday night.

The winner of this match goes into the Cup round of 32. GC City Strikers Olympic FNQ Moreton Bay Brisbane City Pride Fury Roar Youth Redlands SWQ Thunder S’shine Coast W D 10 2 9 2 8 2 7 2 6 4 7 1 3 5 4 1 4 1 2 3 2 1 0 2 L 1 2 3 4 3 5 4 6 7 8 9 10 F 33 45 40 27 27 30 29 20 20 18 11 12 A 13 13 15 20 17 21 20 27 37 37 30 62 Pts 32 29 26 23 22 22 14 13 13 9 7 2