Western Pride came close to confirming their giant-slaying reputation on Wednesday, leading Brisbane Roar in the first half of their exhibition game in Toowoomba, before falling 5-2 to the former A-League champions.

First half goals to forward pairing Peter Drager and Russell Woodruffe gave Pride a 2-1 lead on the half hour mark, before Roar reeled in the Ipswich-based club with four unanswered goals in the final hour.

Roar fielded a predominantly youth-based side for the clash, with Queensland Academy of Sport product Brandon Borello netting the opener on five minutes.

The response was unequivocal, as Pride drew on the same self-belief that saw them account for Grand Finalists Brisbane City and Olympic FC in the NPL Queensland regular season.

Woodruffe levelled terms in the 20^th minute on the counter attack, the former Central Coast Mariners youth player finishing assuredly after Drager got in behind the Roar defensive line.

Nine minutes later, Drager finished off his own good work to give Pride the lead – beating two players before slotting his shot low and to the left of Roar goalkeeper Matt Acton.

The lead proved short-lived though, as Borello replied with his second of the match to once again level terms.

Roar added two further goals before the break courtesy of Shannon Brady and Kwame Yeboah to secure a 4-2 half-time advantage.

The second half had a different complexion as Pride’s hard-working homegrown midfield combination of Lincoln Rule and Robbie Livingstone earned more tome on the ball in the centre of the park.

Pride threatened with a handful of half chances, but failed to capitalise on their height advantage against the younger Roar outfit from a scattering of set-piece opportunities.

Ultimately, another QAS product, Ben Litfin, sealed the result for Roar with the final goal on 66 minutes.

Speaking after the match, Pride head coach Kasey Wehrman said his team had, fittingly, done the club proud against Roar.

“The season had dragged on a little bit, and we weren’t perhaps as fit as we were a month ago,” Wehrman confided.

“But the boys did a good job and it’s a good end to a very good season for them.”

The match was the final hit-out for Pride in the current season, with the players scheduled to take a break before returning to start pre-season later in the year.

Brisbane Roar will finish their A-League preparations against NPL Queensland Grand Final winners Olympic FC on 29^th September at Goodwin Park.

FINAL SCORE:

Western Pride 2 (Russell WOODRUFFE, Peter DRAGER)
Brisbane Roar 5 (Brandon BORELLO (x2), Shannon BRADY, Kwame YEBOAH, Ben LITFIN)

 

Words: Michael Flynn (Football Queensland)
Image: Ray Gardner (Redlands United)