Words: Garry McKenzie
Image: Chris Simpson

Western Pride winger Nicole Quinn is hoping to turn the tables on her former club when fourth-placed Eastern Suburbs visit Briggs Road Sporting Complex on Sunday.

Pride fell to an agonising late defeat back in May when an unfortunate handball in the last 5 minutes handed a match-winning penalty to Easts.

Currently sitting in eighth, Pride go into the rematch knowing their performance that night was a turning point in their season, inspiring a run of four wins in five PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues Women’s matches.

Quinn said she enjoyed the challenge of playing against Easts despite losing in May.

“I knew they would be a tough team to play against as they are well coached and have a good structure and disciplined playing group,” Quinn said.

“It’s always disappointing to lose in the last minutes of a game and not come away with any points but I felt we learned from that game.”

Quinn enjoyed a decade at Easts where she played alongside a number of Sunday’s opponents.

When the tenacious winger left she intending to take a lengthy break from football but a year later approached Pride looking for a game.

“I thought I wanted another season off but after chatting to some former teammates one afternoon I realised the competitiveness and desire was still there so I decided to lace up again,” Quinn said.

“Pride was closer to where I live and felt like starting a new chapter and a new challenge.”

Quinn has been a constant threat down the flanks this season, adding vital experience in the young squad and setting up several goals during Pride’s mid-season winning run.

Such was the standard the team set in that run, Quinn said it was frustrating such performances were unable to be replicated week-in, week-out throughout the season. 

“I don’t think we had enough team cohesion out on the pitch (overall this season) and didn’t convert enough goal scoring opportunities,” Quinn said.

“We are matching it with The Gap one week, then getting trounced by a team down the bottom of the ladder the next.”

Quinn was positive Pride would find the consistency to match their best performances this season.

“We have shown our fans and each other what we can produce when it all clicks, which is promising moving forward,” Quinn said.

“We have talented players here who are only going to improve with this season under their belt.

“I feel with some more time for the team to develop as a unit Pride will be a force in future seasons,” she concluded.

PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues Women’s 2016 – Round 21

Western Pride FC Women v Eastern Suburbs FC Women
Sunday, August 14 | 3:00PM
Briggs Road Sporting Complex, Ipswich