Brisbane Strikers consolidated their top-six position and rediscovered their fighting qualities with a rough and tumble 2-0 win over Sydney United at Perry Park last night.
A goal in each half was the tangible reward for a much-improved Strikers, who are now looking to at least reach the points target set by their coaching staff at the start of the season.
By contrast, Sydney United will now be feeling the hot breath of Marconi, Olympic and others on their necks, as they scrap for the last finals spot.
Sydney's performance was full of vigorous endeavour. Their effort and commitment could not be faulted. But they were not creative enough in attack, and they didn't manage to ruffle the unflappable Scott Higgins in the Brisbane goal,or the stout defensive line in front of him.
Josh McCloughan won the BSSA man of the match, a well-deserved award as he once again scored his first NSL goal.
In the rained-out "first leg" of this fixture a week and a half ago, big Josh had risen highest at a corner to seemingly open his NSL goal account. But when that match was abandoned in the second half due to torrential rain, McCloughan's goal was washed away as well.
So it was doubly sweet when on 16 minutes, the defensive stalwart became a goal-scoring hero once more. Peter Grierson was obstructed by Anthony Doumanis, conceding an indirect freekick about 30 metres from goal. Grierson teed up the freekick for Steve Fitzsimmons, whose low fierce drive went past the wall. Liam Reddy got down to it but couldn't hold the shot and it squirmed out of his grasp and onto the post. McCloughan was the first to the loose ball to give the home side the lead.
Having the lead helped the Strikers relax and play some attractive football despite the pitch being quite heavy. Brisbane had a revamped line-up which included returned Romanian tourist Karl Dodd and a tigerish Matt McKay and Louis Brain in midfield. The reinstatement of Royce Brownlie gave a bit more physical presence to the Brisbane front line as well.
But Sydney United too were stronger than last time they visited Brisbane, with new signing Liam Austin on the right side of midfield, and Mark Beldham ready to join in from the bench.
So although Brisbane had definitely raised their game since Sunday's limp display against Marconi, they were not having things all their own way.
It was 1-0 at the break, and Sydney came out firing in the second half. Doumanis, Heffernan and Cunico were working hard to win the ball in midfield, but service to their strikers Santalab and Ivanic often lacked imagination.
The most effective attacking moments for Sydney came from "Route 1" style long kicks from Reddy. Santalab had one good chance in the 67th minute, beating Dodd to the ball but his shot was safely held by Higgins.
Sydney kept pressing hard for the equaliser, and began to look vulnerable on the counter attack, especially with McKay streaming forward with the ball at his feet.
But Liam Reddy's anticipation and reading of the play cut out several Brisbane chances.
Both sides brought on subs, and it was David Pilic, introduced with 15 minutes to go, who made a real impact.
The second goal came in the 86th minute. Another Brisbane sub, Josh Rose, raided forward down the left. His first cross was half cleared, but only to Grierson, who found McKay, who fed a charging Pilic. Pilic's eye for goal this season is much improved, and he buried this chance with no little skill and authority. A fine goal to seal the win.
Brisbane now travel to meet Parramatta, a real test of their finals aspirations. Marconi held the big spenders to a draw last night. Can the Strikers do any better?
The pundits might see a big gap back to the rest after Perth and Parramatta, but the other top-six teams no doubt see things differently.