Words: Michael Flynn

Western Pride suffered their second loss of the pre-season on Wednesday night as they were defeated 2-1 by Holland Park Hawks in the BLK Silver Boot.

Sean Karambasis delivered Pride a consolation penalty in time added on, however it wasn’t enough to overturn a pair of second half strikes from Hawks’ Sam Roper and Andrew MacAskill.

The result means Pride are out of contention for the play-off rounds of the pre-season tournament despite having one match remaining in the group stage.

Both sides failed to fire throughout a scoreless first-half that offered few clear cut chances but saw Pride on the back foot against their more direct opponent.

Pride goalkeeper Duncan Short delivered an early save to deny Marek Madle, while Corey Lucas could only head wide from a set-piece for Pride.

Hawks’ proved more vigorous after the restart and found reward just after the hour when Roper drove a volleyed strike past Short from a corner.

Further efforts for the increasingly rampant Hawks were denied by Short before MacAskill doubled the advantage – capitalising on a second-phase corner.

Pride never threatened a comeback as Hawk’s physicality continued to wear down Graham Harvey’s side.

The Ipswich-based club’s only consolation came late in the contest when Geoff McIntyre won a penalty in a fifty-fifty challenge that allowed off-season recruit Karambasis to net his first goal for the club.

Pride continue their pre-season preparations against University of Queensland FC on Saturday at Briggs Road Complex.

They will face Rochedale Rovers in their final match of the BLK Silver Boot next Wednesday.

BLK Silver Boot 2016 – Group B
Wednesday, January 27
Lions Stadium, Brisbane

Holland Park Hawks FC  2 (Sam ROPER 61’, Andrew MACASKILL 66’)
Western Pride FC  1 (Sean KARAMBASIS 90+2‘p)