Words: Michael Flynn
Additional Reporting: Troy Belford

Peninsula Power Women twice fought back from a goal down to end a horror run of results with a 2-2 draw against Western Pride Women at A.J.Kelly Park.

Power conceded in the opening minute for the second time in as many weeks when Rahni Pritchard opened accounts for Pride, however quickly levelled terms via Michelle Le Roux.

Pride edged ahead once more on the stroke of half-time as Nikkola Dawes notched her first goal of the season, but Le Roux pounced again shortly after the restart to close out her brace.

From thereon the woodwork and goalkeepers both conspired to keep the scores level despite both sides seeing chances to notch much-needed wins.

The result ends a run of four straight losses for Power and a five match losing streak for Pride, with the point enough to lift both clubs ahead of Sunshine Coast FC Women in the league standings.

Key Moments

1’ – GOAL FOR PRIDE – Rahni Pritchard opens accounts by controlling a cross before turning quickly and tucking the finish past Power goalkeeper Hideka Shikata

3’ – GOAL FOR POWER – Michele Le Roux wins disposses a Pride defender inside the penalty area and slots a strong low finish

23’ – CHANCE FOR POWER – Le Roux hits a rocketed effort from the edge of the penalty area but it is denied by a strong save by Pride goalkeeper Kirsten Veeren

35’ – CHANCE FOR PRIDE – The ball is cut back to Nikkola Dawes but her strike clatters off the crossbar

45’ – GOAL FOR PRIDE – Pritchard picks out Dawes inside the penalty area, who takes a touch to evade the attentions of Shikata before tucking away the finish

50’ – GOAL FOR POWER – Jasmine Michel’s cross finds Le Roux at close range and she makes no mistake with the volleyed finish to again level terms

60’ – CHANCE FOR PRIDE – Pritchard lines up a free kick from 30 yards out that seems destined for the target before bouncing back off the woodwork

70’ – CHANCE FOR PRIDE – Nicole Quinn threatens with a headed effort towards the back post but Shikata stretches to tip it clear

78’ – CHANCE FOR POWER – Morgan Schoener slips through Le Roux but Veeren is up to task to diffuses a tame shot from the Power attacker

79’ – CHANCE FOR POWER – Le Roux threatens again with a first-time shot but her quest for a hat-trick is this time foiled by the crossbar and the ball is cleared by the Pride defence

What They Said

“I thought maybe we had the clearer cut chances towards the end of the game, so a little bit of disappointment that it was one point and not three but I think a draw in the end was pretty fair. I’m delighted with our girls bouncing back from a few heavy losses and I think what they’ve done has earned them a bit of respect in the competition and we should be able to go forward from there. “ – Michael Cook, Peninsula Power FC coach

“Both teams lacked, I would say, a quality first touch and that was very apparent in a lot of the finishing from both teams. Realistically both teams should’ve scored another five goals each. There was some poor finishing from both teams but some good goalkeeping from both teams probably kept (the score) down. All in all it’s probably the result that neither team wanted.“ – Len Manwaring, Western Pride FC coach

Match Details

PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues Women’s – Round 9

Sunday, May 8
A.J.Kelly Park, Moreton Bay

Peninsula Power FC Women – 2 (Rahni PRITCHARD 1’, Nikkola DAWES 45’)
Western Pride FC Women – 2 (Michelle LE ROUX 3’ 50’)

CLICK HERE for the official Match Centre

Match Officials - Kaylah VEJLE (referee), Kianna AQUILINA-HENDERSON (assistant), Jacob BROWN (assistant)