Ipswich team rallies after coach resigns on match eve

The Western Pride women’s senior team displayed their character by rallying brilliantly after coach Trent Gregson resigned on match eve. See how the players responded with so much heart.

Western Pride player and interim coach Leigh Alexander was proud of how her players responded to the coach’s sudden resignation. Picture: David Lems

LOSING a coach with plenty to play for is never easy.

However, it can often bring out the best in a team.

The Western Pride women’s senior team displayed their character by rallying after coach Trent Gregson resigned on match eve.

After a hurried team meeting on Friday night, the footballers united for their latest Football Queensland Premier League 1 match, beating Peninsula Power 6-2 at the Briggs Road Sporting Complex.

Senior player Leigh Alexander stepped up to coach Pride as the team strives to regain a spot in next year’s National Premier League Women’s competition.

Alexander said Pride general manager Pat Boyle, club operations manager Pye Augustine and captain Meaghan McElligott planned to assist her take the team through its quest to secure a spot in the 2022 NPLW competition.

“Between us, we’ll be a leadership team for the rest of the year,’’ Alexander said. “And the girls have been great about it.

“It’s a bit of bad timing and all that kind of thing just before the game but the girls lifted.

“It took us about half a game to get back into it but the second half we showed our true strength.’’

The scores were deadlocked 2-2 at halftime in Pride’s first premiership game back after the recent community sport lockdown.

Western Pride’s leading goal scorer Abbey Lloyd added another hat-trick to her collection. Picture: Christina Moran

The Pride players responded in style with the team’s leading goal scorer Abbey Lloyd netting another hat-trick in the latest victory on Saturday.

Attacking weapon Kate Webb also impressed with some stunning curling kicks from out wide that led to two goals in the second half.

One of Webb’s sensational shots rocketed into the top corner.

‘Warrior mum’ in fine form

Western Pride speedster Kate Webb fired in some sensational curling kicks that resulted in goals. Picture: Kerryn Hyett

“We worked together as a team and worked for each other,’’ the interim coach and regular left back said.

“We had a meeting last night at about six o’clock when Trent let us know and bowed out and then we took over.

“We touched base with all of the girls individually then and as a team.

“They were already to go.

“We’ve all got the same goal.

“They are a great bunch of girls. It’s just such a great mix.

“We all get along and look forward to the rest of the season.’’

New Zealand born and bred Alexander was particularly impressed with the super goals in Saturday’s dominant performance.

“The team just lifted,’’ she said.

“We had a quiet chat at halftime with everyone’s input and we broke down what we were doing wrong and what we were doing right as well.

“We wanted a goal in the first five minutes and we got two.’’

Alexander denied any issues in the side around Gregson’s resignation.

“There’s nothing going on in the team, no drama or anything,’’ she said.

“To see them pull together like that in the second half after last night, it’s really promising.

“The girls don’t need to be told how to play. They are all pretty professional here.’’

Growing up in Christchurch, Alexander has been in Queensland for five years.

She has played since she was 10 in Canterbury province and made the New Zealand under-17 squad and open train-on squad.

Although she only has limited coaching experience, she worked previously with Southport and Coomera side in the Brisbane Premier League.

“I’m the oldest in the team,’’ she said, keen to help the team finish strongly in their remaining six games.

“Every game is a must win so that’s our focus. Make the NPL again . . . and Kappa Cup final. We really want to work for that and we’re just hoping to take it to the Lions as much as we can.’’