Words: Michael Flynn
Additional Reporting: Garry McKenzie
Images: Chris Simpson

A ten-man Western Pride converted an injury time penalty to draw Sunshine Coast FC 1-1 in a hard-fought opening round clash at Briggs Road Complex.

Rebounding from a week of turmoil following the resignation of former coach Paul Arnison, Fire responded brightly to open accounts through Japanese visa player Schoici Kishmizu after just five minutes.

Pride wrested the initiative towards the end of the half but were seemingly on the back-foot again when Joel Haack was dismissed just before the hour.

However, the Ipswich club proved resilient to continue to fashion chances but seemed they would go unrewarded until Jordan Lambi won a penalty in time added on – orey Lucas salvaging an important opening day point with the spot-kick.

Key Moments

5’ – GOAL FOR FIRE - A poor Pride clearance found Shoichi Kishimizu lingering just outside the area, placed his shot to perfection past diving Pride goalkeeper Duncan Short into the bottom corner

35’ – CHANCE FOR PRIDE – Mitchell Bird touches past Fire goalkeeper Sam Nickolls but the custodian’s blushes are spared as Bird loses footing and allowing time to recover

52’ – CHANCE FOR PRIDE – Gabriel Hawash splits the Fire defence and tees up Mitchell Bird for stinging shot that is saved sharply by Sam Nickolls

55’ – RED CARD FOR FIRE – Joel Haack is dismissed for lashing out with the leg following a tangle between three players

68’ – CHANCE FOR FIRE – Shoichi Kishmizu gets in behind the Pride defence and manages to round goalkeeper Duncan Short but scrambling defence from Corey Lucas denies a goal

82’ – CHANCE FOR PRIDE – Jordan Lambi cuts inside his defender and curls a shot toward the far post but Sam Nickolls is again up to task to pull off the save

90+2’ – GOAL FOR PRIDE – Jordan Lambi is felled from behind as he bears down on goal to win a penalty allowing Corey Lucas to convert with a rifled spot kick.

What They Said

“I thought towards the end of the first half we got on top and then at the start of the second half we were on top until the red card. But to be fair to the lads even once we went down to ten men I thought we dominated the game as well. They had some chances on the break, which is going to happen, but full credit to the boys.” – Graham Harvey, Western Pride FC coach.

“We tried to use some of the negativity that’s gone on in the past couple of weeks and turn that into a positive. They are young blokes so they have a positive energy about them. I think that showed in the first half – it was a bit fast and furious but once we settled down I think it went all right.” – Ashley Kingdon, interim Sunshine Coast FC coach.

Match Details

PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues 2016 – Round 1
Saturday, February 27
Briggs Road Sporting Complex, Ipswich

Western Pride FC – 1
Sunshine Coast FC – 1

WESTERN PRIDE FC

Goals – Corey Lucas 90+2’p
Yellow cards -Geoffrey MACINTYRE 41’, Jordan LAMBI 72’, Corey LUCAS 90+2’, Joseph DUCKWORTH 90+2’
Red cards – Joel HAACK 55’

Squad – 1. Duncan SHORT, 3. Joel HAACK, 4. Corey LUCAS, 5. Douglas BROWN, 6. Jesse RIGBY, 7. Hayden MCHENERY, 8. Nielen BROWN (10. Joseph DUCKWORTH 70’), 9. Mitchell BIRD, 11. Geoffrey MACINTYRE (18. Will MCFARLANE), 12. Alistair WALLIS, 14. Gabriel HAWASH (15. Jordan LAMBI 60’),

Unused – 13. Jacob MINETT, 20. Dylan WILLIAMS

SUNSHINE COAST FC

Goals – Shoichi KISHIMIZU 5’
Yellow cards – Shoichi KISHIMIZU 30’, Connor HANCOCK 50’, James VERDIN 55’, Giacomo MELLINO 69’, Jeremy STEWART 74’
Red Cards – none

Squad – 1. Sam NICKOLLS, 2. Tim HOLLINGWORTH, 4. Christopher JANCEVSKI, 5. Kyle TOWNSEND, 6. Connor HANCOCK, 7. Cameron NAIRN, 8. Grant DE CHASTEL, 9. Brady CRONK, 11. Jeremy STEWART, 12. Jordan LLOYD (3. Giacomo MELLINO 46’), 13. Josh WALL, 14. James VERDIN (10. Kobe FULLER 63’), 19. Shoichi KISHIMIZU (15. Luke LEWIS 86’)

Unused – to be confirmed