Words: Michael Flynn
Additional Reporting: Garry McKenzie
Images: Chris Simpson

A maiden PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues hat-trick from Joseph Duckworth guided Western Pride to an upset 4-2 win over Brisbane City at Briggs Road Sporting Complex.

City finished the match with nine players as Motoki Kakehi was dismissed on the stroke of half-time and Paul Stevens, who netted twice to level terms in the second half, was giving his marching orders in the closing stages.

Pride took a two goal lead into the half when Duckworth’s opener was complemented by a penalty from Corey Lucas – his third conversion from the spot this season.

Duckworth then proceeded to seal his side’s second straight win with two further goals in the final quarter hour.

The result delivers Pride their first home win this season from four attempts and their first against a capital city opponent since July last year.

It also puts paid to City’s run of three straight victories as they drop to fourth in the standings.

Key Moments

5’ – CHANCE FOR PRIDE – Mitchell Bird latches onto a lofted through-ball into the penalty area but his strike fades just wide of the goal

33’ – CHANCE FOR PRIDE – Mitchell Bird bombs down the right touchline before cutting inside and crossing for Joel Haack but the ensuing shot is over the crossbar

33’ – CHANCE FOR PRIDE – Alistair Wallis delivers the cross from out wide into Geoffrey Macintyre, who controls sharply but then sends his effort wide

35’ – GOAL FOR PRIDE – A lofted ball over the City defence is chased down by Joseph Duckworth, who touches past City goalkeeper Timothy Allen and strolls the ball across the line

45’ – RED CARD FOR CITY – Mitchell Bird is brought down inside the penalty area by Motoki Kakehi who is dismissed as the last defender

46’ – GOAL FOR PRIDE – Corey Lucas doubles Pride’s advantage by smashing the ensuing penalty kick into the bottom corner

47’ – INJURY FOR PRIDE & CITY – A crunching clash of heads sees both number 4’s – Corey Lucas and Kai Smith – seeing stars and receiving attention from the trainers

60’ – GOAL FOR CITY – Pride look to head clear a corner kick but it only goes as far as Paul Stevens who instinctively nods the ball into the empty goal

62’ – GOAL FOR CITY – Another City corner squares the ledger as Paul Stevens steers the ball in for his second

78’ – GOAL FOR PRIDE – Jacob Minett releases Joseph Duckworth, who is faced with a tight angle but manages to lift his shot over the onrushing Timothy Allen to restore the hosts lead

82’ – RED CARD FOR CITY – Paul Stevens receives his second yellow card after fouling Mitchell Bird

83’ – GOAL FOR PRIDE – Jacob Minett and Joseph Duckworth combine again resulting in a composed finish from the Pride attacker to round out his hat-trick

90+1’ – CHANCE FOR PRIDE – A goalmouth scramble sees the ball pop out to Jesse Rigby who fires a shot at the target but is well-held by Timothy Allen

What They Said

"The thing for me about Joseph is that he listens to the coaches and has that thirst and that hunger to improve. Certainly some of the runs he is making and, as we saw tonight, some of the finishing is probably too good for the NPL to be honest." - Graham Harvey, Western Pride FC coach

"We started off well but we made some silly mistakes defensively. But we were half a yard off the pace all night - one step, half a step behind. They have some quick players and we got caught too high a couple of times." - John Kosmina, Brisbane City FC coach

Match Details

PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues 2016 – Round 5
Saturday, April 2
Briggs Roads Sporting Complex, Ipswich

Western Pride FC 4 defeat Brisbane City FC 2

Pride Goals – Joseph DUCKWORTH 35’ 78’ 83’, Corey LUCAS 45’p
Pride Yellow Cards – Jesse RIGBY 22’
Pride Red Cards – none

Pride Squad – 1. Duncan SHORT, 3. Joel HAACK, 4. Corey LUCAS, 5. Douglas BROWN, 6. Jesse RIGBY, 7. Adam ENDEAN (15. Jacob MINETT 71’), 8. Nielen BROWN, 9. Geoffrey Macintyre (14. Gabriel HAWASH 82’), 10. Joseph DUCKWORTH, 11. Mitchell BIRD, 12. Alistair WALLIS (2. Cory LEGGETT 71’)

Pride Unused – 13. Bonventure THOMAS-REMIJO, 20. Dylan WILLIAMS

City Goals – Paul STEVENS 60’ 62’
City Yellow Cards – Kai SMITH 21’, Paul STEVENS 31’, Mitchell HORE 86’
City Red Cards – Motoki KAKEHI 45’, Paul STEVENS 82’

City Squad – 1. Timothy ALLEN, 4. Kai SMITH, 5. Jayke CUSCHIERI, 6. Luke PAVLOU, 9. Antonio MURRAY (16. Jean-Mike JABO 78’), 10. Scot COULSON (17. Samuel SIBATUARA 69’), 11. Nicholas BUCKLEY (15. Kai BARNES 71’), 13. Jason PARK, 14. Paul STEVENS, 18. Motoki KAKEHI, 19. Mitchell HORE

City Unused – 12. Joshua CRONK, 20. Jake CLANCY

Match Officials – Ben COOK (referee), Alex HOHN (assistant), Justin TEMPLE (assistant), Ryan MOONEY (fourth)