‘Super amazing’ victory lifts Western Pride into Cup grand final

Captain Meaghan McElligott displayed her outstanding leadership skills, scoring four goals and praising her team for a historic feat. See what the Ipswich team achieved.

Western Pride captain Meaghan McElligott led the way, helping her team create some club football history. Picture: Kerryn Hyett

FRESH from scoring four goals in a semi-final, Western Pride captain Meaghan McElligott had every reason to stand tall with her close-knit team.

Western Pride had just outclassed Townsville Brothers 6-0 in North Queensland to secure a Kappa Cup grand final football showdown with Lions next month.

“It’s hard to travel and play,’’ McElligott said.

“It’s super hard to take a flight in a day. A few hours later play a game then a flight home.

“So I’m pretty proud of the team for just dealing with that.’’

As she has done all season, striker McElligott displayed her outstanding leadership skills.

She was understandably buzzing after her four-goal haul in Townsville.

“I just felt good,’’ she said, enjoying a team breakfast before flying home.

She rated her first goal was the most exciting, building confidence and getting her team off to a positive start.

The skipper sealed her hat-trick before halftime.

Ever-dependable attacking weapons Abbey Lloyd and Kate Webb scored Pride’s other goals on a testing night in the north.

“Our attack was awesome all round,’’ the captain said.

“Everyone fought hard and it was super humid up here as well.

“Our defence was just solid as ever.’’

Western Pride captain Meaghan McElligott leads her team on to the field in an earlier NPL match this season at the Briggs Road Sporting Complex. Picture: Christina Moran

McElligott was pleased how her team performed given they were unable to train for a month due to the community sport lockdown.

“I’m super proud just to see that no one lost fitness,’’ she said. “They have been accountable for themselves.

“Even as a team, we managed to pull together really well, which is super important because we get straight back to our goal of moving to make NPL (the National Premier Leagues competition for next year).

“We’ve had a long break but really our mindset can’t change.’’

Pride play Peninsula Power in their next premiership match on Saturday, continuing their bid to regain a NPLW spot.

Meaghan McElligott sealed her latest hat-trick before halftime. Picture: Christina Moran

Pride will play in their historic grand final in Brisbane on September 25 after Lions accounted for Logan Lightning 6-1 in the other semi-final of the knockout Queensland competition.

“It’s really good for the club as well,’’ McElligott said.

“Hopefully it will be a cool game and a good game and we can put up a good fight against Lions.

“Anything could happen. There’s a real chance that we could win it. That would be pretty incredible.’’

Pride’s impressive performance came after the men’s side held out Holland Park 2-1 in Friday night’s Football Queensland Premier League 1 competition.

Pride and cross town rivals Ipswich Knights effectively helped each other on the night.

Pride’s win consolidated fourth place, keeping a gap over fifth placed Southside Eagles after the Knights beat them 3-1 at Memorial Park.

In Ipswich, Pride ensured Holland Park remained stranded in second last ahead of Wynnum, giving the mid-table Knights some breathing space in their quest to stay out of the relegation zone.