WYNNUM Wolves were left empty-handed after a tense 1-0 loss to Moreton City Excelsior at Carmichael Park on Saturday evening, with Keitatsu Kojima’s 77th-minute strike proving decisive.
The opening half saw little between the sides, both working hard to find an opening but cancelling each other out.
The first real flashpoint came in the 21st minute when Wolves’ Ryan Parker was booked for a foul, setting the tone for a physical contest.
Wolves made an early change in the 25th minute, introducing Mike Jabo for Naoki Maeda, before Kojima himself went into the book on the half-hour mark.
A lively but goalless first half gave way to more urgency after the break.
Excelsior’s Harry Arnison was cautioned in the 51st minute, and tempers threatened to boil over when Christoper Maher was booked for dissent on 62 minutes.
The deadlock was broken in the 77th minute when Kojima, who had been busy throughout, was left unmarked at the back post to head firmly past the Wolves keeper.
Moreton immediately shuffled the pack, with D’Arcy Satharasinghe replacing the goalscorer.
Wolves chased an equaliser, but Moreton managed the closing stages well.
The hosts saw Jack Hingert sent off in injury time after he was booked twice in quick succession for fouls.
The result leaves Wolves frustrated after a disciplined defensive performance was undone by a single moment, while Moreton City Excelsior head home with three valuable points as they continue to top the table.
