STORM FRONT
Mixed weekend for SWQ Thunder squads
FOOTBALL:
Another Brodie Welch double has helped fire the South West Queensland Thunder to the top of the FQPL ladder.
Welch, who has scored four goals in his past two games, struck early to lay the platform for the Thunder’s 3-2 win over Ipswich Knights at the weekend.
Left unmarked at the back post, Welch headed home the Thunder’s first in the 6th minute after defender Callum Hart found him with a cross after winning the ball high up the park.
He was back on the score sheet again six minutes later, guiding the ball home from 12 yards out after being found by strike partner Anthony Grant.
“It’s important to settle into the game as quickly as possible, get those early touches, play a few passes,” SWQ Thunder coach Ivor Prasad said.
“And if you can score an early goal even better.
“There’s always pressure in a game, but when you score early you can dictate the pace of the game, and the pressure is different.”
In line with Prasad’s attacking philosophy, the Thunder continued to press forward in the first half but were unable to add to their tally.
After the break, Lachlan Munn halved the deficit for the visitors in the 62nd minute, sparking a flurry of goals over the next five minutes.
Grant scored the Thunder’s third goal in the 66th minute before Sho Otsuka scored for the Knights one minute later.
“Everyone knows you’re most vulnerable right after
you have scored,” Prasad said.
“Unfortunately, we paid that price, we were still thinking about our third (goal) just a little when they scored.
“They kicked off and forced Jace (Hudson) into a save and scored all within a minute.
“We have learned the lesson and just need to focus more.
“I was happy with how we finished the game, though.
“I put on some fresh legs in Ben (Adams) and Pasquale (De Vita), and we continued to push forward. We created more chances and we were unlucky not to score a few more goals.”
An early Mitchelton FC salvo snatched away any hope the Thunder women had of recording their first win in the 2020 NPLWQ season.
Mitchelton scored four goals in the opening 25 minutes and took a 4-1 lead into halftime.
The goals continued to flow for the visitors who recorded a 7-2 win.
Striker Louise Rolfe scored both the Thunder’s goals.
West Wanderers captain Sophie Fuller gave her side the perfect start in their win over Hawks at the weekend,
Fuller fired her side into the lead inside two minutes, but Wanderers were made to work for their 2-1 win.
Melony Baker drew her side level in the 32nd minute before Annika Jackson scored the winner for Wanderers 10 minutes from time.
Despite the hot conditions both teams produced plenty of chances in what was ultimately a match decided by the slimmest of margins.
“The Hawks girls came out really tough,” Fuller said.
“They’re fit and young which made the match really tough – particularly this early in the season.
“It’s good to get a win, it will really boost our confidence.”
THERE’S ALWAYS PRESSURE IN A GAME, BUT WHEN YOU SCORE EARLY YOU CAN DICTATE THE PACE OF THE GAME, AND THE PRESSURE IS DIFFERENT.
IVOR PRASAD TFL ACTION