The Marconi Stallions looked every inch an NSL finals contender as they destroyed the Brisbane Strikers' proud unbeaten home record at Perry Park yesterday evening.
Two second half goals gave the Olyroo-inspired visitors the win which moved them to within three points of a finals spot, with games in hand over all the clubs ahead of them.
A 5pm kickoff drew a smaller crowd of just over 2000. Hopefully Strikers management got the hint and won't ever schedule an afternoon match again. The first half was played in conditions that were simply too hot for top-quality football. The small grandstand on the eastern side of the ground was almost empty, as patrons there would have been looking straight into the setting sun.
However, the kickoff time made no difference to the result. The signs were there early that the Strikers home record would be under serious threat. Brisbane have usually managed to dominate possession in their home games this season. But Marconi were on top right from the start.
Clear chances were thin on the ground in the first half for both teams, who seemed to be trying to conserve energy.
Brisbane fans had hoped to welcome back key central defender Karl Dodd after suspension. However, Dodd had reportedly flown to Europe without permission for trials with National FC in Bucharest, Romania, and had not returned in time for this game. This led to a further reshuffle of the cards by Stuart McLaren and Luciano Trani.
The key elements in the Strikers success this season have been the width provided by Trani's trademark 3-5-2 formation, and the form of defensive trio Josh McCloughlan, Karl Dodd and Stuart McLaren.
Shane Stefanutto's departure to Norway in early January left the first hole to plug. This was filled by switching Steve Fitzsimmons from the right flank to the left. However, his replacements on the right haven't been of the same standard. Chris Scuderi got the nod this time, but did not make any impression as the right side of the Strikers attack lacked fluency throughout.
The hole left by Dodd's AWOL adventure was filled by Adam Webber moving into the right side of the defensive trio, and McLaren going back to his old role in the centre of defence. Without a doubt, the Strikers missed Dodd's passing skills and calm presence. McLaren and McCloughlan both had steady games, but Webber was caught with the ball on too many occasions. The Strikers defence were also guilty of just hacking away clearances which often conceded possession back to Marconi.
Brendan Renaud was giving Webber a torrid time down the left of Marconi's attack. McCloughlan had former Striker Jeromy Harris under tight rein on the other side of the field. But it was the central combination of Nick Carle and Alex Brosque that was causing the most concern. As he was for the Olyroos, Carle was the outstanding creative player on the field.
However, despite threatening for most of the half, Marconi were not able to seriously test Scott Higgins in the Brisbane goal, shooting just wide on the couple of occasions when they had a good sight at goal.
Brisbane's best moves all came from Steve Fitzsimmons cutting back inside defender Michael Thwaite and moving infield for a shot. One such run in the 35th minute deflected off a Marconi defender and beat Michael Turnbull but hit the crossbar.
David Pilic also had a long low shot go just the wrong side of the right hand post just on the stroke of half time.
Brisbane's attack force Luke Morley and Louis Brain were well contained by Angelo Costanzo and Dominic Longo. Costanzo offered an additional threat on the counter-attack, as he surged forward to provide an extra man in attack whenever the opportunity presented itself.
The match was scoreless at half-time, and cloud cover and the onset of evening made for slightly cooler conditions for the next period.
After 10 minutes of the second half, the coaches began to ring the changes. Marconi brought on Luke Casserley for Michael Thwaite, and Scuderi was withdrawn in favour of Josh Rose for the Strikers.
Marconi took the lead about halfway through the half, after a period of dominance. In the 64th minute, Nick Carle was on a dribble and collided with Josh McCloughlan, winning the free kick for obstruction.
McCloughlan went off for treatment, and was still off the field two minutes later when the goal was scored. Carle wriggled his way free and hit a fierce shot from outside the area. Higgins got down to save it, but the rebound came out to Brosque. His shot too was parried by Higgins, but this second rebound fell kindly to Stallions skipper Brad Maloney, who scored the tap-in.
After McCloughlan returned to the field, Brisbane also made changes, bringing on Matt McKay and Royce Brownlie for Pilic and Warren Moon. Marconi responded with Joe Spiteri on for an ineffective Harris.
McKay sparked the attack with his busy style, and for a while it seemed an equaliser might be found. But Brisbane's best two chances - a shot on the turn by Brownlie and a header from Brain -- were comfortably saved by Turnbull.
And so with Brisbane pressing for the equaliser, Marconi's ability on the break meant a second was always possible. It came in the 87th minute. Spiteri to Brosque, whose perfect pass set Carle free into space. Carle's calm finish went under Higgins and sealed the win.
Brisbane must now front up to last-start winners Sydney United on Wednesday, a match that assumes semifinal proportions. On this display, Marconi would be a better chance in the finals than either the Strikers or United.