Doggies Show Fight But Fall Short Against City

Image supplied by Alan Minifie

Another fighting performance from Capalaba FC was not enough as they fell to a frustrating 3-2 defeat to Brisbane City in the National Premier Leagues on Saturday night.

Despite opening the scoring early through Scot Coulson’s fifth goal of the season, the Bulldogs ultimately succumbed to three second half goals from the visitors at John Fredericks Park – led by a double from Sam Sibatuara.

Substitute Harrison Turner pulled a goal back for the hosts late but David Booth’s side were unable to muster a further comeback as they fell to a second straight defeat.

For the third time in four matches, the Bulldogs also finished the contest with ten men following the second-half dismissal of midfielder Rhys Lambert.

The result leaves the Bulldogs in tenth position on the NPL Queensland ladder but still holding games in hand on the majority of sides above them.

In a clash of contrasting styles, the hosts threatened early through Stuart Edgar before Coulson delivered the opener in just the seventh minute on the back of a City turnover – slotting a low finish after being found in space by Connor Booth.

Opportunities soon presented at both ends with City’s Sibatuara seeing a goal rubbed out for offside, while Ryo Ono and Lambert both fired promising efforts at goal for the hosts.

The to-and-fro continued until the half as Edgar was foiled by a strong save from City goalkeeper Riley Stent on the half hour, while Nathan Beagley also spurned an opportunity for the energetic City.

The contest turned shortly after the restart as a City counter-attack restored parity, with Sibatuara tucking away the finish after a Christian Carbone pass was picked off by Daniel Fabrizio in midfield.

At the other end, Stent also remained busy in the City goal as he again produced a strong save to deny the increasingly frustrated Edgar on the hour.

City edged ahead soon after as Shannon Brady capitalised on the back of another City counter in the 63rd minute, while a flurry of chances from Coulson, Edgar and Sam Langley in response were denied by desperate City defending.

The visitors doubled their lead with 20 minutes to play from the penalty spot – Sibatuara slotting the spot-kick after Fabrizio went down in the box under a seemingly benign challenge from Carbone.

The equation only worsened for the Bulldogs with a quarter hour remaining when Lambert was dismissed from the contest for offensive language.

However, the Bulldogs’ fighting spirit remained strong as the tireless Edgar was again denied before Turner finally managed to pull a goal back for the hosts after outmuscling his marker before slotting a composed finish for his second goal of the campaign.

A conciliatory point was in the offing in the final minutes as the Bulldogs finished strongly, however, wily substitute Alex Warrilow was twice denied by Stent in the City goal.

The Bulldogs now face a quick turnaround ahead of their midweek clash against Moreton Bay United as the COVID schedule squeeze takes effect.

Match Details:

National Premier Leagues Queensland
Saturday, 22 August @ John Fredericks Park

Capalaba FC - 2 (Scot Coulson 7; Harrison Turner 84)
Brisbane City - 3 (Sam Sibatuara 53, 70(p); Shannon Brady 63)

Next Game:

National Premier Leagues Queensland
Moreton Bay United v Capalaba FC
Tuesday, August 25
Wolter Park, Albany Creek
Kick-off: 7:30PM

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