BATTLE OF MIND
Orford magic lifts SWQ Thunder to vital road victory
FOOTBALL: It was all about the power of the mind as the SWQ Thunder came away from Holland Park with a vital three points.
The Thunder remain in third spot on the QPL ladder after downing the Hawks 3-2 in an enthralling contest.
The visitors were able to take the lead early in the match after a brilliant pass from Will Orford found Wade Hall, who calmly put the ball in the back of the net for a fifth minute lead.
Not to be outdone, Holland Park hit back with two goals of their own inside the space of seven minutes to lead 2-1 after 24 minutes.
Three yellow cards in quick succession and the Thunder were seemingly on the back foot, before they showed the fight that has them near the top of the standings.
“Even though we got an early lead, they got a few and we found ourselves down,” coach Ivor Prasad said.
“It says a lot about our mindset. The game wasn’t about who was more skilled or stronger. It was a battle of the mind and we were mentally stronger.
“It was a good hitout. Our boys were ready for it and we were in it to win it. The way we moved the ball and the pace we played with, we looked good.
“Playing away to Holland Park, we knew it would be a tough tussle.”
With time almost expired in the first half, a determined effort from Brodie Welch helped to keep the ball alive, before he was able to cross it into a waiting Cormac McCarthy, who levelled things up.
The combination of Orford and Hall tore the Holland Park defence to shreds once again in the 60th minute, with the former putting another pinpoint pass on the money for Hall to secure his double.
“It’s a game of two halves, and with about five minutes to go the boys showed good urgency,” Prasad said.
“They treated that period like they were coming to the end of the game and they needed to salvage a goal.
“They committed numbers and were able to get the ball forward early, get the goal and then tackle the second half.
“Will is a quality midfielder. He’s composed on the ball and his passes are pinpoint. He’s a good addition to our team this season.
“Cormac was the highest goalscorer in the U20s and its good to see him on the scoresheet.
“Jace Hudson has been an absolute rock between the posts and I always give credit to my bench. When they went in they took the game to another level.”
The Thunder women suffered a setback at the hands of the Western Pride, going down 6-1.
On the road, the Thunder trailed just 2-1 at the halftime break, before the home side was able to power away late in the contest.