Words: Michael Flynn
Image: Albert Perez / Moreton Bay United FC

Moreton Bay United received a fright before fighting back from a goal down to defeat Western Pride 3-1 at Wolter Park on Saturday night.

Harrison Sawyer gave the visitors an unlikely lead early in the second half before Jets rallied with late brace to Charles Mendy and a further goal to teenage debutant Joseph Champness.

 

The result sees Jets maintain their two points advantage over Brisbane Strikers atop the PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland ladder.

Despite Jets seeing a plethora of chances it was Pride that delivered the opening salvo when Sawyer sent a shot just over the crossbar inside the opening five minutes.

However, Jets soon hit their stride as Royce Brownlie saw his first-time strike saved after being played in by Jordan Farina’s through pass.

The hosts then delivered an attacking barrage with Alex Henderson the first of three players to be denied by the woodwork when his shot on the turn hit the crossbar.

Midway through the half Daniel Clark also crashed a solid strike from 20 yards against the crossbar before Brownlie was also twice denied by the beam in quick time.

The hosts also failed to capitalize on further chances for Farina, Charles Mendy and Matthew Zappone, before Pride almost stole the lead prior to the break when Joe Duckworth’s curling corner forced a tipped save from Luke Borean in the Jets goal.

The visitors opened accounts against the run of play ten minutes after the restart when Sawyer turned home Neilen Brown’s cross from close range.

Jets immediately went in search of the equaliser but continued to be frustrated as Brownlie and Mendy forced a pair of sharp saves from Pride custodian Bon Scott.

However, the pressure evenutally told on the Pride defence with seventeen minutes remaining as Mendy slotted a low finish to restore parity.

The hosts then ran away with the result in the final five minutes following the introduction of Champness.

The substitute gave Jets the lead with after poking home from Mendy’s cross with three minutes remaining; before returning the favour with a pass from the byline only minutes later to gift the French attacker his fourth goal of the campaign.

Speaking post match, Jets coach Adam Piddick spoke glowingly of Champness’ effectiveness off the bench on debut.

“Today he came on and made a real difference. He’s still young - only just turned 18 - (but) he scored the winner so full credit to him,” he said.

Whilst pleased with large parts of the performance, Pride coach Karl Dodd lamented his side’s inability to make more of their lead.

“I think we kind of sat back thinking that (one goal) was enough, but clearly it’s not,” he said.

Moreton Bay United FC  3 (Charles MENDY 73’ 89’, Joseph CHAMPNESS 87’)
Western Pride FC 1 (Harrison SAWYER 55’)