THUNDER-STRUCK
Rochedale finishes strong to secure victory
FOOTBALL: The SWQ Thunder were willing, mentally, at the weekend.
But a pre-season disrupted by rain ultimately proved to be the side’s undoing in their 3-1 loss to Rochedale Rovers.
At home for their FQPL season opener against last year’s FQPL champions, the Thunder matched Rovers for large portions of the game before fatigue set in.
Rovers started the game strong, creating a number of early chances that forced new
Thunder pairing Brenton Pennells and Mirko Crocati into action.
The Thunder, however, were able to weather the early onslaught, and the teams went into halftime locked at 0-0.
Thunder striker Anthony Grant opened the scoring in the 53rd minute, tapping in at the back post – capitalising on some excellent lead-up play from Veco Serugo.
Buoyed by the goal, the Thunder pushed forward in search of a second, but Rovers were next on the score sheet.
Rae McGeown took advantage of a lapse in concentration, guiding home a shot at the back post to draw his side level.
McGeown’s goal sparked a horror 13-minute period for the Thunder with Rhys Breagan (79th) and Gregory Cheshire (84th) scoring for Rovers.
“I was very happy with the behaviour of the team,” Thunder coach Ivor Prasad said.
“Mentally, they stuck to the plan and for much of the game we matched it with Rovers.
“We knew they had a strong midfield, and our aim was to limit their opportunities to just long balls and push them into the wide areas where possible.
“We kept our shape and created some good chances.
“Ultimately, match fitness proved to be the biggest issue.
“Our concentration lapsed in key moments as that fatigue set in and they (Rovers) capitalised.”
Prasad said there were a number of positives.
“Not getting those pre-season games because of the rain took away the chance for us to work out the areas of play we needed to improve in,” Prasad said. “Now we know.
“The players who stepped up from the Toowoomba Football League performed very well, as did the whole team.”
Gap silences Thunder
A Louise Rolfe hat-trick was not enough to stave off a 7-3 defeat for the SWQ Thunder women.
Sharn Freier had The Gap on the front foot early scoring in the 8th minute but the visitors lead was short-lived.
Rolfe scored the first of her three goals in the 10th minute with a solid finish.
The Gap then took the game away from the home side, scoring four goals between the 33rd and 49th minute before the Thunder fought back.
Rolfe scored in the 57th and 79th minutes but it was too late for the home side with The
jason.gibbs@thechronicle.com.au
Gap adding to their total with goals to Laini Freier, who scored four in the match, and Domonique Zabala.
FFA Cup
West Wanderers and Willowburn are Toowoomba’s remaining FFA Cup hopes.
Willowburn were too good for Gatton winning 3-0 and Wanderers beat Tarragindi Tigers 2-1.
USQ FC were soundly beaten 6-0 by Oxley United and Rockville fell 3-1 to Virginia United.