CQ Premier League grand finals: Frenchville men, Central women victorious

Frenchville men and Central women show plenty of heart, both coming back from two goals down to score memorable victories.

Frenchville prevailed in a nail-biting penalty shootout to win their third straight Wesley Hall Cup on Saturday night.

It was a stunning result for the Roos, who came back from 2-nil down against Gladstone rivals Clinton in the CQ Premier League men’s grand final played at Ryan Park.

Their hard-working midfielder Tim Zimitat pegged one back in the 77th minute and when Cooper Lems levelled things up in the 89th minute, the game was headed to extra time.

Neither team could break the deadlock after the additional 30 minutes, meaning it would be decided in a penalty shootout.

The high-pressure stakes brought out the best in the strikers, who were in scintillating form from the spot.

The penalty shootout between Frenchville and Clinton was a thriller.

The teams went goal for goal before Frenchville finally got home 7-6.

Frenchville captain Jordan Miller said it was a “massive effort” from his players, who showed plenty of character to get back into the contest and ultimately win the coveted Cup.

Unfortunately for Clinton, there was no joy in the CQ Premier League women’s decider either.

Up 2-nil early in their contest, they were run down by Central.

Central’s skipper and star striker Kallie Peurifoy scored the winning goal in the 72nd minute, securing for her team the Gwen Fox Cup, the biggest prize in women’s football in central Queensland.

Peurifoy said it was fantastic to reign supreme in the inaugural season of the women’s CQPL.

“To have a clean trophy with our name on it is a really great feeling,” she said.

“We fought hard, being down 2-nil, so I’m super proud of my team.

“It’s definitely one of the hardest-fought games we’ve played this season.”

Miller echoed similar sentiments about the men’s final, saying every game against Clinton was a great contest.

“Every time we play them it’s a massive game, it was even bigger tonight because it was a final,” he said.

“They definitely made us work.

“We had a few chances in the first half we didn’t put away, but I think that’s finals footy. It’s anybody’s game, it’s a contest for 90 or in this case 120.”

The CQ Premier League men's grand final between Frenchville and Clinton could not be decided after 120 minutes of football and was decided in a penalty shootout.

Miller admitted he was “pretty nervous” watching the penalty shootout play out.

He could not speak highly enough of Zimitat’s powerhouse performance.

“Tim was unreal. He scored the first goal to get us back into the game,” he said.

“What he offers is just not that, (it’s) his tenacity all game. I’d love to see how many kilometres he racked up.”

Miller has now been part of five Wesley Hall Cup wins.

“They all have their own specialties to them, but this is pretty special going to penalties,” he said.

“I haven’t gone to penalties before and sitting on the sideline watching the boys do the job is a pretty proud moment as a captain.”

Clinton captain Liam Jones said his players could hold their heads high.

“To come this far is a massive effort for us,” he said.

“All the boys should be incredibly proud of themselves; they dug really deep towards the back of the season and we found some form.

“It’s a very tough way to lose but it is what it is.”

Jones said the team’s younger brigade would benefit from the grand final experience.

“Any team that makes a Wesley final is going to benefit from it. All these young fellas will walk away from this and gain something going forward,” he said.