Willowburn dominate final
Willowburn’s Premier Men gave the club a reason to smile on Sunday.
Things were looking grim for the Magpies – beaten in the Championship and Premier Women’s division – before the club’s top side triumphed.
Facing rivals USQ FC, Willowburn ran out convincing 3-0 winners.
Willowburn forward Brodie Welch was the USQ’s chief destroyer with two goals to his name but the Magpies left it late.
Despite dominating large portions of the game, Willowburn did not break through until the 70th minute.
Welch, who has scored four times in his past two games against USQ, was in the right spot after a Matthew Edgerton save.
Finding space down the right hand side, Nic Taylor cut the ball back to an unmarked Colin Ball, whose shot was saved before Welch tucked home the rebound.
Welch was in the right spot again just 11 minutes later and once again his team-mate Taylor played a decisive role.
A quick-thinking Edgerton looked to have broken up another Willowburn attacking raid, having advanced well outside the penalty area.
His clearance, however, cannoned into Taylor and Welch reaped the rewards.
Taking control out wide, Welch beat his defender before sliding the ball home to secure a 2-0 lead.
Colin Ball headed home a pinpoint Connor Wockner cross to score his side’s third goal in injury time.
The measured performance gave Willowburn’s vocal support crew reason to celebrate after their Championship Men and Premier Women fell short in their premiership quests.
“They (the crowd) got us home in the end,” Welch said.
“When you’re feeling it in the legs and tiring in the 70th minute, they give you that energy to push on.
“I’m absolutely stoked for them and all the boys in the team.
“We’ve been fighting hard together all season and to win in our 70th year is something really special.”