Dangerous players to watch as premier league rivals clash

THE recent efforts of five hot shots will be in the spotlight when Western Pride host the latest local derby against the Ipswich Knights on Friday night.

THE recent efforts of five goal-scoring hot shots will be in the focus when Western Pride host the latest local derby against the Ipswich Knights on Friday night.

Pride’s Isaac Davey (eight goals), Byron McLeod (7) and Wil Asante (7) are leading the way for the fourth-placed Football Queensland Premier League 1 team.

With two matches left, Pride can’t be knocked out of this year’s finals.

However, they face a resurgent Ipswich Knights who have climbed up to sixth spot and away from the relegation zone following some positive recent performances.

Ever-dependable Nick Edwards (nine goals) and Lucky Joe (6) have helped rebuild the Knights confidence after a period of concern a month ago.

Top Knights goal scorer Nick Edwards. Picture: Cordell Richardson

Edwards netted a double in the Knights’ 4-0 catch-up match victory over Wynnum on Monday night.

That came after a vital 3-1 win over Souths United six days earlier.

“We’ve had a good month (three wins and a draw),’’ head coach Andy Ogden said. “And probably should have had four wins but that’s life.’’

The Knights were under immense pressure coming into the back end of the hotly contested season.

“We were genuinely in a scrap. If we didn’t get the results, we definitely would have been fighting for our lives,’’ Ogden said.

“But the guys have shown great character. We’ve played some decent stuff in the last couple of weeks, scored some good goals so everyone is happy again.’’

The derby is the latest victory on the Knights hit list.

“We challenged ourselves a month ago to win the last six games,’’ Ogden said. “We definitely turned it around.

“Hopefully we can go in against Pride and play well at least.’’

The Knights can finish as high as fifth this season.

“Goal scoring has always been probably the number one thing everyone is looking for,’’ Ogden said.

Ipswich Knights sharpshooter Nick Edwards responded superbly to being dropped mid-season to showcase his goal scoring quality. Picture: Gary Reid

Ogden praised Edwards for the way he lifted and got better after being demoted earlier in the season.

“He has not only been playing well and leading by example, he’s been really good at planning,’’ Ogden said.

“He is one of the senior players even though he’s only just turned 26.

“He’s been a real credit to himself.

“I dropped him earlier in the year after a poor performance and he didn’t respond by having a sook. He responded by saying ‘I want to play 23s’ to get my form back’.

“Then I put him back (in the top side) the next week and he’s never looked back.

“His workrate, his quality. Everything has been top shelf so really happy for him.’’

The Knights coach said the return of Mitch Herrmann from ongoing foot issues also “made a big difference to us’’.

For Pride, Friday night’s clash at the Briggs Road Sporting Complex is a chance to secure a second success over the Knights this season. Pride beat the Knights 2-1 in the May 14 local derby at Bundamba.

“I’m very happy how things are going,’’ head coach Brian Hastings said, having welcomed back goalkeeper Josh Boyle from injury.

Pride drew 1-1 with Southside Eagles and defeated Souths United 4-3 in their past two encounters to lock up fourth place.

With a finals spot secure, Hastings was planning to rest a few players on Friday night.

Like the Knights, Hastings has also been encouraged by his team’s improved goal scoring in recent games after struggling to find the net earlier in the season.

That included four different goal scorers - Davey, McLeod, Mikhail Hastings and Kelton Scriggins - stepping up in the vital win over Souths United.

“It’s nice to see that we have got midfielders that contribute as well,’’ Hastings said.

Pride showed a lot of character after being 2-0 down against Souths before gaining the ascendancy.

Western Pride striker Isaac Davey controls the ball. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Among the competitive Pride players working hard up front have been Davey, who has soldiered on managing a knee injury.

Meanwhile, the Western Pride women have five matches to regain their place in next year’s National Premier Leagues competition.

The Pride women are currently third in the second tier Football Queensland Premier League 1 series on 31 points behind Olympic (35) and Brisbane City (32).

Pride resume their mission against The Gap at the Briggs Road Sporting Complex in Saturday’s 5pm match.

Their other crucial remaining games are against Logan at home (September 29), Brisbane City away on October 6, Olympic at home (October 9) and Mitchelton away (October 16).

Western Pride striker Abbey Lloyd has dominated all season, netting 16 goals. Picture: Kerryn Hyett

Classy striker Abbey Lloyd leads the goal-scoring tally with 16 from 12 games.

Captain Meaghan McElligott (8), Gladys Esquivel (7) and Kate Webb (6) have been valuable contributors.

In the Brisbane Premier League competition, 10th placed Western Spirit have matches against Bayside United (at home on Saturday night), St George Willawong (September 26) and The Gap (September 29) to escape relegation.

Spirit are currently one point ahead of Brisbane Knights and three points clear of The Gap, meaning that final match in a fortnight could be crucial.

Western Spirit winger Charles Amalu has been a standout performer. Picture: David Lems

Charles Amalu has been Spirit’s standout performer with 12 goals this season.

In Capital League 1, fifth-placed Ripley Valley are still in the finals hunt.

However, they must beat Newmarket away on Sunday, along with Moggill (September 21) and Slacks Creek (September 25), to have any chance of leapfrogging fourth-placed Logan Metro.

Ripley Valley and Logan Metro recently played out a 2-2 draw.

Ripley Valley’s top goal scorers this season have been Jarrod Norfolk (7), Alistair Pase (6) and Tom Webster (6).

In the same competition, the Ipswich City Bulls have climbed six points clear of cellar dwellers Slacks Creek.

However, the Bulls need to win their remaining two games to avoid relegation.

The Bulls can help Ripley Valley and themselves by beating Logan Metro at Compton Park on Saturday night before tackling New at United at home on September 26.

AC Carina are on the same points (16 with a better goal difference) and Annerley is one point ahead with one match in hand.

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