Thunderous goal sets up victory

Thunder striker Ben Adams opened his 2020 account with a contender for FQPL goal of the season at the weekend.

Holland Park keeper Luka Zoric can't stop Thunder's first goal.Football Qld NPL, SW Qld Thunder vs Holland Park Hawks FC. Sunday, 1st Mar, 2020.

FOOTBALL : Thunder striker Ben Adams opened his 2020 account with a contender for FQPL goal of the season at the weekend.

Holland Park keeper Luka Zoric had no answer to Adams' sweetly struck free kick from just outside the 18-yard box.

"It was a very good goal from Ben Adams. Fabulous, fabulous goal," Thunder defender Mirko Crociati said.

"We wanted to attack more in the first half.

"At this stage in the season we know we could lose a little energy in the second half of the game because we missed so much in pre-season.

"So we tried to attack more.

"We attacked well and the early goal helped."

The goal capped off an impressive opening 20 minutes for the Thunder who piled plenty of early pressure on the visiting Hawks before going on to record a 2-0 win.

The Thunder thought they were on the scoreboard as early as the 11th minute through striker Anthony Grant.

Pressure from Grant and Veco Serugo forced the Hawks defence into a hasty clearance and Wade Hall capitalised.

Hall's deep runs early in the match caused the Hawks plenty of headaches and it was another such that created the chance for Grant.

Driving deep into the half the left back's pass well placed pass found Grant who scored from close range only to have his goal ruled off-side by the narrowest of margins.

Grant then combined with Brodie Welch to produce a diving save from the Hawks keeper.

Determined to double their advantage the Thunder continued to push forward but were unable to add to their tally and went into halftime 1-0 up.

Any real hope the Hawks had of salvaging something from the game evaporated shortly after halftime.

Thunder players celebrate their first goal of the match. Football Qld NPL, SW Qld Thunder vs Holland Park Hawks FC. Sunday, 1st Mar, 2020.

Hawks player Hanjin Yoo fouled his way into the referee's notebook and was given his marching orders.

With their opponents reduced to 10-men the Thunder took control of the match with Grant adding their second from the penalty spot in the 87th minute.

Having captained his side to their first win of the season, Crociati said the "clean sheet" was equally as satisfying as the victory.

"In the second half we tried to keep the ball more because if the opponent does not have it they can't score," he Italian centre back.

"Ivor said to us in the dressing room (after the game) the clean sheet is very, very important.

"If you don't concede you can't lose.

"We have somethings to work on, but for now the result is very good."

Thunder take on Hawks

VIEW GALLERY

Ex-Thunder star haunts old club

Former Thunder women's star Abbey Lloyd got on the scoreboard against her old club at the weekend.

Playing for Capalaba, Abbey scored in the 51st minute against a Thunder team that includes her sister Mel.

Capalaba ran out 5-0 winners at home, but the Thunder were competitive for portions of the match.

Originally published as