Pride Rocket Into Historic Grand Final
Words: Tristram Peters
Additional Reporting: Michael Flynn
Images: Chris Simpson
Western Pride have secured their passage to Saturday's Grand Final against Moreton Bay United, having defeated Gold Coast City 3-0 at Mallawa Complex.
Gold Coast had the earlier chances but Pride struck just before half-time, as Dylan Wenzel-Halls lobbed GCC goal keeper Josh Langdon with an expert finish.
Pride held onto their momentum in the second half, and made their way into an historic grand final appearance, with Wenzel-Halls netting his second and Adam Endean polishing the scoreline on the stroke of full-time.
The win caps a dramatic rise for the Pride, whose victory means neither the first or second-placed Brisbane Strikers or Gold Coast City will compete in the final.
Key Moments
9’ – CHANCE FOR GCC – Sam Smith makes contact with a stooping header but it is well stopped at the near post by Pride keeper Max Davison.
22’ – CHANCE FOR GCC – Roman Hofmann’s cross is floated to Oskar Dillon but his header is directed straight at Davison.
33’ – INJURY TO GCC – Smith takes a knock trying to win the ball back but is unable to continue, forcing an early substitution for the hosts.
45’ – GOAL FOR PRIDE – Dylan Wenzel-Halls finds the opener with an inch-perfect finish over the top of goalkeeper Josh Langdon.
48’ – CHANCE FOR GCC – Eoghan Murphy looms large amidst a crowded penalty area but his header is held by Davison.
52’ – CHANCE FOR PRIDE – Mitchell Bird gets past his defender and sneaks a shot past Langdon, but it bounces back off the post and is collected.
74’ – CHANCE FOR PRIDE – Joe Duckworth’s dipping free-kick gets around the wall but his held by Langdon on the half-volley.
83’ – GOAL FOR PRIDE – Wenzel-Halls doubles the lead, controlling sharply from a cross before tucking home the finish past the onrushing Langdon.
86’ – GOAL FOR PRIDE – Adam Endean shuffles to avoid a defender before slotting a low finish into the bottom corner to seal Pride’s passage to the Grand Final.
Match Details
PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland - Semi Finals
Mallawa Complex
Saturday, August 26
Gold Coast City FC 0
Western Pride FC 3 (Dylan WENZEL-HALLS 45' 83', Adam ENDEAN 86')
Referee - Alex KING
Assistant - James SHERRY
Assistant - Mohamed ALIPOUR
Fourth Official - Trent SLEEMAN
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