Thunder show fight in well-contested home games
SWQ test Brisbane Roar in loss
FOOTBALL: The South West Queensland Thunder nearly silenced the Roar at the weekend.
For 45 minutes – the first half of their NPLW match – they tested the resolve of their youthful and highly skilled opposition.
“We started the game quite brightly,” coach Scott Teakle said.
“We created a lot of chances and opened the scoring fairly early.”
Leading 1-0 the Thunder looked composed for good periods of the game.
“We adopted a new 5-3-2 formation for the game,” Teakle said.
“The aim was to try and limit their chances out wide.
“We knew they had some pacey wingers and we wanted to combat that.
“For the large part I think it worked. It was really only our mistakes that let them into the game.”
Unfortunately the young Brisbane side capitalised on the Thunder’s few errors to equalise and eventually establish a 3-1 lead.
“We gave their centre mid too much space for the first goal,” Teakle said.
“And the second was just unlucky – Liz (Hollitt) dived for the ball, it came off the post hit her back and rolled into the goal.
“They scored a third by being quicker to the ball, getting a toe to it first during a scramble.”
The Thunder fought back though, scoring a goal just before halftime to trail 3-2.
With a promising first half performance, the team went into the sheds full of confidence, but was unable to reproduce their energetic performance in the second stanza.
“The talk at half time was really positive. Everyone was positive and looking forward to the next half – we had belief,” Teakle said.
“We went out (for the second half ) with lots of intent but it just didn’t come together.”
The Roar never opened up the Thunder in the second half but were good enough to capitalise on their chances to eventually secure a 5-2.
“I think we will continue with the new set-up,” Teakle said.
“Having more numbers around the ball generally worked better for us.
“The girls just need to work on ownership, seeing that ball in front of them and wanting it more. Making the decision to win it and not leave it up to someone else.”