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Subscriber only FLEET-footed Western Pride goal scorer Byron McLeod has already experienced highs and lows as a footballer who is just 20 years old. The former premiership-winning Peninsula Power striker/winger has played overseas and broke his collarbone after lining up against his current club as a junior. He rated the latest local derby against the Ipswich Knights one of the toughest matches he has played in. McLeod put his team 2-0 up in the 26th minute after capitalising on a goalmouth scramble. After the Knights powered home threatening to at least salvage a second half draw, Pride newcomer McLeod said his team knew they were in a fierce battle.
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Subscriber only AFTER the anxiety levels rose dramatically in both team camps, two major factors were highlighted in the latest battle of Ipswich . The first was the match being played like a local derby despite a number of footballers from Western Pride and the Ipswich Knights having not engaged in previous club encounters. The Knights finished the stronger at Bundamba on Friday night but were unable to penetrate Western Pride s defence a second time to at least salvage a draw. We didn t have enough quality tonight, Knights head coach Andy Ogden said, reflecting on his team s 2-1 defeat on home soil.
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Subscriber only WESTERN Pride head coach Brian Hastings was still exploring his goalkeeping options preparing for Friday night s hotly-anticipated local derby against the Ipswich Knights. After having to field young goalkeeper Ashton Bonsall in the net with his two frontliners out, Hastings was looking for a more experienced shot-stopper. We ll make that decision tonight, Hastings said. Under the circumstances, Bonsall did his job against a Souths United team keen to exploit the teenager s inexperience in last weekend s Football Queensland Premier League 1 encounter. He (Bonsall) will be on the bench for sure but he may still be guarding the goal, Hastings said.
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Subscriber only WESTERN Pride coach of the week Brian Hastings will monitor two sore goalkeepers after a dramatic night of football in Toowoomba. Major off-season recruit Jake Reesby and exciting Ipswich talent Josh Boyle were both injured in Saturday night s 2-1 loss to South West Queensland Thunder. It was Pride s first defeat and toughest test from four matches in the 2021 Football Queensland Premier League 1 competition. The result against one of the competition heavyweights proved Pride are up with the better teams this season, rising from a sluggish start to push Thunder in the second half. I m hoping in the big scheme of things that is our first speed bump, Hastings said.