Brisbane Roar have survived a frantic final few minutes to record a 3-1 win against Adelaide United in their National Youth League clash at Hindmarsh Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
The Roar led 2-0 at half time before Bradley Norton pulled one back for the Reds six minutes from time.
United were denied a penalty in the final minute when the referee waved away their appeals after substitute Kym Harris and Roar keeper Michael Acton collided, before Brisbane added a third in injury time to seal the victory.
Brisbane opened the scoring on the quarter hour when James Meyer capitalised on some defensive uncertainty in the United penalty area.
Meyer chased down a through ball and pounced when Reds’ stopper Daniel Scordo failed to clear and the Roar striker took it past keeper Nick Munro and into the vacant net.
The nippy forward had almost got on the score sheet a minute earlier when he struck the post from the outside of the area.
Brisbane continued to dominate the hosts, looking more fluid in their transition out of defence and creating more chances than Adelaide.
In the 24th minute Brisbane captain Christopher Bush doubled the lead with a well taken shot after a quick free kick.
The Reds survived a scare on the hour when ‘keeper Munro appeared to handle outside the area but was only shown a yellow.
Munro rushed off his line and intercepted a long through ball but was caught in possession a metre outside the box by the Brisbane strikers.
Last season’s Reds’ NYL Player of the Year Dane Milovanovic smashed the resulting free kick low and
Norton gave United some hope in the 84th minute when he reacted quickest after a scramble in the Brisbane penalty area.
The left back hit the rebound first time and found the bottom corner of the net from 30 metres out, leaving Brisbane shot stopper Acton little chance.
United had claims for a penalty a minute later when Harris was put through by Scordo but the appeals were waved away by referee Regis Queffelec.
Harris took a touch past the Roar keeper, the pair collided and the Reds were denied a golden opportunity to level the scores.
Instead, the visitors went down the other end and nailed a third in injury time to seal maximum points.
Ken Dougall took a free kick from a tight angle and played it low to the top of the box and Matthew Thurtell coolly finished from close range after the Reds failed to pick up the substitute who was given too much time and space.
