Words: Michael Flynn
Additional Reporting: Garry McKenzie
Images: Paul Smith

Western Pride wrapped up their first league double of the year with a solid 3-0 win over SWQ Thunder at Briggs Road Sporting Complex.

Papua New Guinea international Nigel Dabinyaba’s maiden PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues goal was complemented by Joseph Duckworth in the first half for Pride, before Mitchell Bird’s second goal in as many weeks sealed the points in the closing stages.

Thunder weren’t without their chances, however, Pride’s defences held firm to record a second successive clean sheet for the first time in the club’s history.

The result marks a second straight win for Pride and extends their perfect run of results over Thunder to six straight wins over the past three seasons.

However, Thunder still hold a two point advantage over Pride to retain tenth spot heading into the final round of the season.

Key Moments

4’ - CHANCE FOR THUNDER – Mustafa Jafara gets a clear head to Hong Soon Im’s perfectly placed cross but the ball flashes the wrong side of the post

15’ - GOAL FOR PRIDE – Joseph Duckworth passes into the box for Nigel Dabinyaba, who turns and coolly steers the ball past Thunder goalkeeper Luke Borean

28’ - CHANCE FOR THUNDER – Xavier Pratt gets to the byline and puts in a looping cross into the area for Jafari but he can only sky a shot over the bar

38’ - GOAL FOR PRIDE – Mitchell Bird wins a long, high clearance against several Thunder players, and muscles his way to the line before cutting back to Duckworth to make a simple finish into an empty net

47’ – CHANCE FOR PRIDE - Borean makes a stunning double save to deny Dabinyaba and then Duckworth, who latched on to the rebound

50’ – CHANCE FOR PRIDE - Bird has time to control a corner into the box but Borean clutches the shot

53’ – CHANCE FOR THUNDER – Im gets a clear sight of goal from distance but his stinging shot is touched over by leaping Pride goalkeeper Bon Scott

88’ - GOAL FOR PRIDE – Confusion in the penalty area after the ball is touched through Bird’s legs, however Bird quickly recovers and back-heels the ball across the line

What They Said

“It was a whole team effort. At half time we looked at how deal with (Jafari), particularly when the ball was on the opposite side of his run and how to counter that and the boys did that very well. Credit to Thunder, they have improved massively this year and they are a team everyone has to do their homework on and has to respect.” – Graham Harvey, Western Pride FC coach

“Pride took their chances. As far as we’ve come this year we still have a lot to learn and some of that is a bit of composure in front of goals. We were two-nil down and had to chase the game and the Pride boys did not back down for a second. It was very open and entertaining. There always has been a Toowoomba/Ipswich rivalry and the two games this season have kept that rivalry going.” – Matthew Erdis, SWQ Thunder FC assistant coach

Match Details

PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues 2016 – Round 21

Saturday, August 13
Briggs Road Sporting Complex, Ipswich

Western Pride FC – 3 (Nigel DABINYABA 15’, Joseph DUCKWORTH 38’, Mitchell BIRD 88’)
SWQ Thunder FC – 0

Match Centre - http://bit.ly/2bmMKov

Match Officials - James Sherry (referee), Daniel Olson (assistant), Brad Burton (assistant), Renae Coghill (fourth)