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Gold Coast United win the Local Derby

Gold Coast United win the Local Derby against arch rivals Brisbane  Roar 1-0

JOEL Porter sealed Gold Coast United’s second derby triumph of the season over rivals Brisbane Roar, with a first-half strike that puts Miron Bleiberg’s men firmly back on the winning trail.

United’s fifth victory of the season puts them into second place on the Hyundai A-League ladder, two points behind leaders Sydney FC.

It was no more than Gold Coast deserved after dominating the match for long periods, with Brazilian brothers Anderson and Robson, supported by the constant energetic running of Zenon Caravella, particularly effective as they carved Brisbane open time after time.

United started much the better of the two sides, forcing no less than four corners in the first five minutes, one of which fell to Kristian Rees who forced Liam Reddy into a fine save from close range.

Gold Coast dominated the opening quarter hour, but in the space of 90 seconds Brisbane fashioned three excellent opportunities to break the deadlock.

First, Bob Malcolm headed over from 5 metres, then Jess Vanstrattan saved brilliantly when Tommy Oar’s left-foot pile driver looked destined for the top corner. From the resulting set-piece, Reinaldo almost squeezed a shot inside the post but Pantelidis did enough to deflect it wide.

Working well with Anderson, Adama Traore was enjoying plenty of attacking forays into the Brisbane half but his afternoon was cut short when he succumbed to a foot injury after a strong tackle from Roar’s Sergio Van Dijk.

With Steve Fitzsimmons waiting on the touchline to replace Traore United took the lead thanks to Joel Porter’s second goal of the campaign.

Tahj Minniecon’s free-kick caught Bob Malcolm by surprise and when the ball rebounded off the big Brisbane defender’s head, Porter was on hand to sweep the ball past Liam Reddy.

The United striker could have doubled his tally just before the half-time whistle as his side assumed control of the game. Michael Thwaite launched a delightful ball out to Anderson out on the left, who in turn found Porter with a cross that swung just behind the incoming striker, causing him to head wide.

Gold Coast started the second period much as they started the first, and should have increased their lead during a period of total dominance.

Porter saw a cross destined for Minniecon headed over his own bar by McCloughan, Thwaite’s volley was saved by Reddy and Robson miscued his drive from 18 metres after great work from Caravella.

Other chances fell to Anderson and his compatriot Milson, who shot into the side netting after latching on to a perfectly weighted pass from the excellent Michael Thwaite.

In the closing minutes, Miron Bleiberg introduced Golgol Mebrahtu for Tahj Minniecon and the youngster almost made an immediate impact. Using his pace to ease past Malcolm, Mebrahtu squeezed his shot past Reddy only to watch in frustration as it struck the base of the post and bounced wide.

story courtesy of Gold Coast United