Second half goal blitz seals win for SWQ Thunder

FOOTBALL: The South West Queensland Thunder’s NPL promotion dream is alive and kicking.

SWQ Thunder attacker Brodie Welch takes control of the ball.

The Thunder hold a one-point lead over Logan Lightning at the top of the FQPL ladder, but their rivals have two games in hand.

Needing a win at the weekend to keep the pressure on Logan, the Thunder produced a five goal, second-half blitz to secure a vital 5-0 win.

After a tense first half, the Thunder’s “Italian connection” unlocked a stubborn Mitchelton defence.

Captain Mirko Crociati opened the scoring in the 56th minute – guiding home his shot from just inside the 18-yard box after a Thunder corner.

Midfielder Jackson Franke found Crociati unmarked and the centre back beat his defender before finding the opposite corner of the goal.

Fellow Italian Pasquale De Vita doubled the Thunder’s advantage just three minutes later.

After some excellent build up play through the middle of the field, De Vita drove home his shot just a yard or two away from where Crociati converted minutes earlier.

Any hopes of a Mitchelton comeback were extinguished in the 66th minute when Brodie Welch (pictured) added a third for the Thunder.

Joseph Scott scored in the 90th minute and Welch added his second in injury time.

Originally published as Second half goal blitz seals win for SWQ Thunder