Strikers make it three from three

A lone goal from Rhys Meredith saw Brisbane Strikers edge Lions FC 1-0 in a nail-biting Westfield FFA Cup tie at Lions Stadium to advance to the Round of 32.

The result means the Strikers will feature in the Round of 32 for the third year running with them having qualified for the last 32 in the the first two years of the competition.

Meredith delivered the decisive goal as the opening stanza drew to a close – heading in his eleventh goal of the season and second in the Westfield FFA Cup qualifying campaign.

The two former National Soccer League clubs exchanged blows throughout the second half in a typically tight cup contest, however Strikers’ defensive resilience ultimately came to the fore as they repelled a late Lions push.

The result marks a tenth clean sheet for Strikers across their past eleven games in all competitions.

They become the first Queensland club to book a third straight appearance in the national stages of the tournament and join fellow PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues club Redlands United as the second and final qualifier from the Metropolitan Qualifying Zone.

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