Pride Claim Champions' Scalp
Words: Tristram Peters
Additional Reporting: Garry McKenzie
Images: Chris Simpson
Western Pride have secured their first win of the season, coming from behind to beat a 10-man Redlands United 2-1 at Briggs Sporting Complex on Saturday night.
After a tight opening stanza, with a number of chances falling the way of both teams, Redlands' Mikey Dalton opened the scoring in the 54th minute, volleying a cross in the centre of the area past a stranded Luke MacDonald.
The game soon turned on its head when Redlands' Jake Sherwood was marched after taking down Jordan Lambi as the last defender. A resurgent Joe Duckworth stepped up to score from the spot, drilling the ball down the middle.
Pride's Gabriel Hawash snatched the late winner following neat work from debutant Mambo Kashindi, ensuring Pride's first win of the season in emphatic fashion.
Pride will play Brisbane City away next weekend, eager to build on tonight's win, while Redlands will return home to play an in-form Fury.
Key Moments
4’ - CHANCE FOR REDLANDS - Graham Fyfe charges down a clearance and runs into space but a diving Luke MacDonald blocks the shot.
13' - CHANCE FOR PRIDE - Joe Duckworth turns away from a defender in the corner of the area but his low shot flashes the wrong side of the opposite post.
20' - CHANCE FOR REDLANDS - An Alistair Davis header loops up slowly over a static Pride defence but bumps off the post and is cleared.
54' - GOAL FOR REDLANDS - Mikey Dalton meets a cross on the volley in the centre of the area and while the shot isn't clean, it does enough to sneak past the keeper.
58' - RED CARD FOR REDLANDS - Jake Sherwood is given his marching orders, taking down Jordan Lambi as the last defender.
59' - GOAL FOR PRIDE - Duckworth opens his season's account by thundering the penalty down the centre.
83' - GOAL FOR PRIDE - A long ball is controlled by debutant Mambo Kashindi, who holds off two Redlands defenders and squares the ball to Hawash, whose shot escapes Denver Crickmore.
Match Details
PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues Queensland 2017 – Round 4
Saturday, 18 March
Briggs Road Sporting Complex
Western Pride FC 2 (Joseph DUCKWORTH 59' p, Gabriel HAWASH 83')
Sunshine Coast FC 1 (Mikey DALTON 54')
Referee – Michael BOZHOFF
Assistant – Mohammad ALIPOUR
Assistant – Danielle POTTICARY
Fourth Official – Ben ORWELL
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