Pride, Strikers Fight Out Draw
Words: Tristram Peters
Additional Reporting: Garry McKenzie
Images: Chris Simpson
Western Pride have opened their PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland campaign with a 2-2 draw against Brisbane Strikers at Briggs Road Sporting Complex on Saturday night.
Following a goalless first half, the game opened up in the second with Pride's Mitchell Bird scoring first from a byline cutback.
Strikers immediately hit back as left winger Hiroki Omori, a constant threat during the game, dribbled into the box and cooly slotted the ball past MacDonald.
Rhys Meredith nudged the Strikers in front with a shot from the top of the area, before Hayden Mchenery scored the equaliser from a Delors Tuyishime corner.
Pride will take confidence from their draw with last year's premiers as they next head to AJ Kelly Park to take on Brisbane Roar Youth, while Strikers host fellow Round 1 winners Moreton Bay United.
Key Moments
28’ - CHANCE FOR STRIKERS - Hiroki Omori gets away the first shot in anger with a rising effort from the corner of the area, but Luke MacDonald makes a regulation save.
35’ - CHANCE FOR PRIDE - Mitchell Bird goes on a diagonal run before passing to Joseph Duckworth. After a one-two with Dylan Wenzel-Halls, Duckworth’s low shot flashes the wrong side of the post.
45’ - CHANCE FOR STRIKERS - Omori unleashes a piledriver from outside the area, forcing MacDonald to make a full-stretch save to push the ball around the post.
53’ - GOAL FOR PRIDE - A byline cutback finds Bird directly in front of goal and the attacker lifts the ball into the roof of the net.
54’ - GOAL FOR STRIKERS - From the kick-off Omori gets free in the right channel, runs straight into the area and coolly slots a low ball past MacDonald.
67’ - GOAL FOR STRIKERS - Rhys Meredith's shot takes a deflection, leaving MacDonald stranded.
78’ - GOAL FOR PRIDE - Hayden Mchenery heads home a Delors Tuyishime corner to complete the scoring.
Match Details
PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues Queensland 2017 – Round 1
Saturday, 25 February
Briggs Road Sporting Complex
Western Pride FC 2 (Mitchell BIRD 53', Hayden MCHENERY 78')
Brisbane Strikers FC 2 (Hiroki OMORI 54', Rhys MEREDITH 67')
Referee - Trent SLEEMAN
Assistant - Isidro Terol CRESPO
Assistant - Mohamed ALIPOUR
Fourth Official - Justin TEMPLE
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