MAGPIES SHOW EARLY PROMISE
Willowburn looks the part in clash with Brisbane club
FOOTBALL: Willowburn FC were once a force to be reckoned with in Brisbane.
In the 1980s and 90s, the club was among the XXXX League’s best, and the latest generation of Magpies may well return them to those glory days.
Ahead of their Capital 3 debut in 2020, Willowburn played host to Brisbane’s Clairvaux FC on Saturday.
The Magpies recorded a win and a draw from their two matches against a club that will play in a division above them.
In the match of the day, between the top sides from each club, Willowburn controlled large portions of the game and could’ve easily secured a win had they been able to convert their chances.
Despite the blistering heat, Willowburn started the game at a good pace and were on the scoreboard in less than 15 minutes.
After winning the ball on the left-hand side of the field, the Magpies midfield quickly worked the ball across the field before finding Jake Stoner in space.
With time and space on his side, Stoner easily beat the Clairvaux goal-keeper to put his side in front.
Willowburn continued to press during the half with the visitors resorting to long balls out of their backline in an effort to break down a composed Magpies defence.
The visitors eventually broke through with striker Teddy Henry capitalising on a good passage of play to score in the 44th minute.
After the break Willowburn
had all the chances but were unable to find the back of the net and the match finished 1-1.
“We’re pretty happy with the result,” Willowburn captain Brock Tuesley said.
“We expected a really difficult game, they definately gave it to us.
“But I am happy with how the team played.
“Everyone held their position on the field really well, which is something we work on at training a lot.
“We’ve got a lot of old heads in the squad that help keep that composure for the young ones.
“We struggled a bit with fitness toward the end there but it’s still summer and we’re playing a winter sport.
“Fitness is something we’re focused on and will build.”