Thunder strikes again
NPL side show fight in victory
If the South West Queensland Thunder are relegated this season – it won’t be through lack of effort or spirit.
The young NPLQ side chalked up another key win at the weekend, beating Moreton Bay United 3-2, at Clive Berghofer Stadium on Saturday.
Striker Eli Adams led from the front, once again opening the scoring for the Thunder in the 20th minute.
Lining up from nearly 30yards out, Adams’ sweetly struck free kick deceived keeper Bertrum Speirs beating him at the near post.
Daniel Weber then doubled the Thunder’s advantage from close range 15 minutes later.
With the Thunder having successfully defended a Moreton Bay free kick, Jackson Franke found Eli Adams with a pinpoint cross-field pass, Adams broke down the left wing before crossing to Weber.
Jackson Courtney-Perkins, who played four games for the Thunder this season, dragged Moreton Bay back into the game with a 63rd minute goal before Brent Pedlow extended the Thunder’s lead to 3-1 in the the 77th minute.
Rhys Gwynn-Jones scored for Moreton Bay in the 87th minute but the Thunder held on.
“We’re a young side, one of the youngest in the NPL, and I think we struggled because of that at the start of the season,” Thunder club member Luke Stenhouse said.
“One of the things (coach) Thiago (Kosloski) has focused on this season is making sure the players have the right attitude and work ethic.
“Now I think we’re seeing that pay off with some good results. Unfortunately sometimes to experience the good, you have to go through the bad.
“The players have that experience now, and they’re able to deal with the pressures of the game more easily.”
The Thunder have now taken seven points from a possible 12 on offer in the last four games and are full of confidence – confidence they will need against ladder leaders Lions FC this weekend.
“It’s not going to be easy. Lions are a great side,” Stenhouse said.
“But I think we have the right mix of old and new heads in the side now and we’re taking control of games more.
“We will go into this game full of confidence.”
Photo: DSL Photography