Words: Michael Flynn
Additional Reporting: Stathi Mihalis
Images: Northern Fury FC

Western Pride have their first three points of 2016 after downing Northern Fury 3-1 at Townsville Sports Reserve.

Corey Lucas added to his growing reputation as a set-piece specialist to give the visitors a single goal advantage at half-time, before Joseph Duckworth and Geoffrey MacIntyre sealed the win with further goals in the second stanza.

Fury found consolation just before the hour via Charles Slaney, however were left to rue several missed opportunities throughout the contest.

The result consigns Fury to a fourth straight defeat to open the 2016 season – Fury’s worst ever start to the PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues.

Key Moments

5’ – CHANCE FOR PRIDE – Jordan Lambi’s cross is volleyed by Geoffrey Macintyre but Fury goalkeeper Luke McDonald proves up to task with a sharp save

12’ – CHANCE FOR FURY – Joseph Thornton pushes down the line and into the box but sees his shot hit the back post before being cleared by the Pride defence

14’ – CHANCE FOR FURY – Benjamin Stanley threatens from a free-kick but Pride goalkeeper Duncan Short tips his strike over the crossbar

20’ – CHANCE FOR FURY – Corey Waples creates space with a clever feint before pulling the trigger but Duncan Short makes the save

31’ – GOAL FOR PRIDE – Corey Lucas lines up a free-kick from 25 yards and curls a pin-point strike into the top corner of the goal

41’ – CHANCE FOR PRIDE – Jordan Lambi crosses into the box to enable Geoffrey MacIntyre to hit a first-time attempt but Luke McDonald makes the save at his near post

47’ – CHANCE FOR PRIDE – Geoffrey MacIntyre sees another first-time effort denied by Luke McDonald, MacIntyre attempts to convert with the second bite of the cherry but sends the follow-up wide

56’ – GOAL FOR PRIDE - Joseph Duckworth beats the offside trap and cuts the ball back onto his left foot with a neat side footed finish into the bottom corner

57’ – GOAL FOR FURY – Benjamin Stanley and Jonathon Bagley combined in the middle before releasing Joseph Thornton, who calmly converts to pull a goal back

61’ – GOAL FOR PRIDE – Geoffrey MacIntyre finally gets the better of Luke McDonald with a composed slotted finish after being played in by Joseph Duckworth

What They Said

“It’s a disappointing second half performance. First half we were well in there with chances and hitting the post and then we concede from a free-kick just before half-time and it changed the way things were going. I thought we were in control and moving the ball well and keeping possession well and had the better chances.” – Ian Ferguson, Northern Fury FC coach

“It was a whole squad performance – bringing on three subs helped and I think throughout the day the boys took a really professional approach in their preparation and I think that showed in the last twenty minutes. We saw the game out really well.“ – Graham Harvey, Western Pride FC coach

Match Details

PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues 2016 – Round 4
Saturday, 19 March
Townsville Sports Reserve, Townsville

Western Pride FC 3 defeat Northern Fury FC 1

Northern Fury FC

Goals – Joseph THORNTON 58’
Yellow cards – Corey WAPLES 32’, Jae EURELL 37’,
Red cards – none

Squad – 1. Luke MCDONALD, 2. Caleb HOBSON, 4. George DALTON, 8. Jae EURELL, 9. Benjamin STANLEY, 11. Jonathon BAGLEY (13. Charles SLANEY 61’), 12. Joseph THORNTON, 14. Samuel HERLIHY, 15. Corey WAPLES (16. Matthew GAUCI-MARTIN 85’), 17. Hamish CASSADY, 18. Darren WALKER (5. Thomas PEARCE 51’)
Unused – 20. Ryan MURPHY

Western Pride FC

Goals – Corey LUCAS 32’, Joseph DUCKWORTH 52’, Geoffrey MACINTYRE 62’,
Yellow cards – Nielen BROWN 41’, Gabriel HAWASH 90’
Red cards – none

Squad – 1. Duncan SHORT, 3. Joel HAACK, 4. Corey LUCAS, 5. Douglas BROWN, 6. Jesse RIGBY, 7. Adam ENDEAN (15. Jacob MINETT 85’), 8. Neilen BROWN (13. Hayden MCHENERY 45’), 9. Geoffrey MACINTYRE (14. Gabriel HAWASH 63’), 10. Joseph DUCKWORTH, 11. Jordan LAMBI, 12. Alistair WALLIS
Unused –  none

Match officials – Carl HARPER (referee), Graham BUZZI (assistant), Liam O’CONNOR (assistant), Matthew TOUMAZOU (fourth)