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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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An Ipswich court has heard a man caught with an ice stash hidden in his shoe had taken steps to shake his drug addiction prior to facing sentence this week.
Ethan Ellison was said to have taken part in the Court Link program designed to help defendants tackle the issues that often underlie their offending.
After completing the program with positive results, Ethan Ernest Ellison, 27, from Bundamba, pleaded guilty in Ipswich Magistrates Court to eight charges including possession of the drug ice; driving when drug positive; three charges of stealing; possession of a knife; possession of property suspected of being used in a drug offence; and failing to appear at court.
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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 HAVING been at the receiving end of what they have delivered in recent weeks, the Ipswich Knights are on high alert for Friday night s local derby. I m thinking it s going to be different to last year, astute Knights head coach Andy Ogden said, refocusing on his team s next clash against Western Pride. I think Brian (Pride head coach Brian Hastings) is going to be a lot more conservative and try and stay as solid as he can and then hit us on the break and things like that. But who knows? The Knights had the edge over Pride last year, winning the first derby 2-1 before a 4-1 victory in the return bout.