Pride Return To Winning Ways
Words: Garry McKenzie & Matt Dorman
Western Pride bounced back from their midweek BLK Silver Boot loss to beat UQFC 5-1 in a pre-season friendly on Saturday night.
Sean Karambasis scored twice to make it three goals in the space of 72 hours while Joel Haack, Gabriel Hawash and Mitchell Bird all netted after half-time at Briggs Road Complex.
After a quiet first 10 minutes, Karambasis opened the scoring by rising high to meet Jesse Rigby’s looped cross.
Michael Pascal next forced Pride goalkeeper Duncan Short into a save while Lincoln Rule fired wide at the other end.
Pride did manage to double their advantage within five minutes of the restart as Rule’s inswinging free-kick was met by a firm Joel Haack header to make it 2-0.
The home side soon kicked further clear with two quick goals after the hour.
Hawash first made it 3-0 with a well-placed finish from the edge of the area, before Sean Karambasis beat UQFC ‘keeper Sam Long to complete his brace.
Luke Legget drew another diving save from Short but, minutes later, Mitchell Bird added a fifth Pride goal as he coolly finished Karambasis’ cross.
UQFC did secure a late consolation though when Legget thumped a fierce free-kick past substitute ‘keeper Jarryd Pollock to cap the scoring at 5-1.
Pride’s next pre-season assignment is their third and final BLK Silver Boot Group B match against Rochedale Rovers on Wednesday night.
Pre-Season Friendly
Saturday, January 30
Briggs Road Complex, Ipswich
Western Pride FC 5 (Sean KARAMBASIS 13’, 70’ Joel HAACK 48’ Gabriel HAWASH 61’ Mitchell BIRD 81’)
UQFC 1 (Luke LEGGET 89’)
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