Thunder looking for a reaction against Logan
FOOTBALL: David ParkBallay knows the SWQ Thunder women can perform strongly in the NPL.
After last week’s showing, he is calling on a reaction from his team as they seek their first points of the season.
The Thunder were firmly entrenched in the contest against the Western Pride, trailing just 2-1 at the break, before conceding four second half goals.
“I expect a big reaction from my players,” Park-Ballay said.
“I was quite disappointed with the second half. We didn’t fight for the win.
“The girls understood the message and responded well at training on Monday. We had a very good session.”
They get a golden opportunity to get on the board in 2021 when travelling to Corunbia Park to take on the Logan Lightning.
Their opponents are also winless through four rounds, and Park-Ballay said they needed to take their chances this weekend.
“Hopefully we will have a good result. They have been struggling like us,” he said.
“They were very good last year, but lost many players like we have.
“We’re going to try and build on our defence and keep our goal safe for as long as we can and hopefully get our first points.
“It’s a very important game for Laura Spreadborough at her old home ground. I’m sure she will want to do very well and she should lead the team well.”
The NPL contest gets under way at 6.30pm on Saturday.
The Thunder men will also be on the road once again when they take on the Rochedale Rovers at Underwood Park.
Enjoying a strong start to the season, the Thunder currently sit in third ahead of the crucial clash with the secondplaced Rovers, who have yet to taste defeat in four games.
BIG GAMES HEADLINE TFL
Gatton can make a statement in the TFL’s premier men division, hosting secondplaced St Albans on Sunday.
Their defence will need to be at its best against the league’s best attack, which has produced 22 goals in five matches.
Another key clash comes in the form of third-placed Rockville hosting fourthplaced Willowburn, as the Rovers look to bounce back from a 5-1 defeat to St Albans.
In the premier ladies division, Highfields gets a golden opportunity to recover from its first loss of the season when taking on Gatton.
FIXTURES SATURDAY
MEN: Stanthorpe vs Highfields at Stanthorpe, 6pm; Gatton vs St Albans at Gatton Dixon Oval, 7pm
WOMEN: Chinchilla vs Willowburn at Chinchilla, 4pm; Gatton vs Highfields at Gatton Dixon Oval, 5pm
SUNDAY
MEN: Rockville vs Willowburn at Captain Cook, 3pm; West Wanderers vs Warwick at West Wanderers 1, 3pm
WOMEN: Rubies vs Warwick at Captain Cook, 11am; West Wanderers vs Lady Hawks at West Wanderers 1, 11am; Rovers vs USQ at Captain Cook, 1pm.