Words: Aaron Cooper
Images: S-L Archer

A spirited late charge from Western Pride has fallen just short as the Young Roar held on for a 4-3 victory on Saturday night.

Pride's Corey Lucas was unlucky to not open the scoring, seeing a volley from an acute angle fly behind off the crossbar.

The tall defender didn't have to wait long however, handing the Pride the lead from the penalty spot late in the first half.

The lead was short-lived as Nathan Yoon restored parity three minutes later before an own goal and a wonderstrike from Nicholas Panetta saw the Roar quickly scoot out to a 3-1 lead after half-time.

The margin widened to three when Pride keeper Luke Macdonald was unable to deal with a cross from Panetta with 10 minutes remaining.

The Pride finished strongly however and had reduced the gap to a single goal on the cusp of stoppage time with goals to Gabriel Hawash and Jordan Lambi setting up a tense final few minutes.

The hosts held on to secure their first points of the 2017 season while the Pride will now search for their first victory next weekend against the high-flying Olympic FC.

Key Moments

8’ - CHANCE FOR YOUNG ROAR: Lloyd Cabillan makes a barnstorming run through the heart of midfield before dishing a through ball to Nathan Yoon who can’t find a way past Luke McDonald between the posts.

29’ - CHANCE FOR YOUNG ROAR: Intricate play between the Young Roar attackers ends in a close-range shot for Yoon, but Macdonald makes himself and saves well.

36’ - CHANCE FOR PRIDE: A deep corner finds its way to Corey Lucas at the back post who has time to adjust and fire a well-struck volley off the crossbar and behind.

41’ - GOAL FOR PRIDE: Corey Lucas wins a foul in the area and opens the scoring from the spot.

44’ - GOAL FOR YOUNG ROAR: Luke Macdonald is unable to collect the high ball and Yoon collects the follow-up and loops a header in under the bar. 

47’ - GOAL FOR YOUNG ROAR: A dangerous ball across the front of goal is turned into the net from a Pride defender via the right upright.

55’ - GOAL FOR YOUNG ROAR: Nicholas Panetta drives towards goal and unleashes a driving strike that flies into the top left corner.

80’ - GOAL FOR YOUNG ROAR: Nicholas Panetta crosses a ball towards goal that squeezes under McDonald and the keeper is unable to recover before the ball crosses the line.

82’ - GOAL FOR PRIDE: Young Roar concede possession deep in their own half and the ball is set up Gabriel Hawash to run on to it at the edge of the area and side-foot the ball home.

90’ - GOAL FOR PRIDE: Jordan Lambi reduces the margin to a goal, finessing a right-footed strike to Tomislav Bilic’s left.

Match Details

PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues Queensland - Round 2
Saturday, 4 March
A.J. Kelly Park

Brisbane Roar Youth 4 (Nathan YOON 44', OWN GOAL 47', Nicholas PANETTA 55', OWN GOAL 80')
Western Pride 3 (Corey LUCAS 40' p., Gabriel HAWASH 82', Jordan LAMBI 90')

Referee - Lara LEE