Power silence Thunder

SWQ Thunder silenced by unbeaten Peninsula Power in NPLQ clash

GOAL SCORER: South West Queensland Thunder forward Luke Lister (right) competes for the ball with the Western Pride's Alex Parsons. Lister scored in the Thunder's 3-1 loss to Peninsula Power on Saturday. Picture: Kevin Farmer

FOOTBALL: It was not enough to produce a win, but the SWQ Thunder produced a performance worthy of high praise on Saturday.

Facing unbeaten leaders Peninsula Power - basic errors committed by the Thunder were ultimately the difference in their 3-1 defeat.

"We conceded two soft goals in the first half and the boys know that,” Thunder men's team manager Jason Hall said.

"The good thing about this side is there's no finger pointing or negativity in these situations.

"They (the team) put their hands up, accepted fault and got on with it.

"We talked about it at half-time, changed a few things and looked a lot better in the second half which we won.”

Thomas Strickland opened the scoring for the Power in the 16th minute - capitalising on a defensive lapse when Thunder keeper Mat Eilers failed to collect a cross after advancing off his line. Alexander Warrilow then doubled his side's advantage 10 minutes later.

Warrilow beat Eilers with a well placed shot after he was given too much space at the back post following a quickly taken Power free kick.

Strickland then added his second shortly before half-time all but sealing the game for the Power.

"We didn't play badly in the first half,” Hall said.

"We were up against the best team in the competition and it was only two small errors that cost us.

"It (the score) could've been a lot different too. Kimba (Kibombo) had a legitimate penalty claim in the first half.

"We score that it's 1-1 and who knows what happens from there.”

Despite the lopsided scoreline at the break the Thunder refused to concede defeat and produced a much stronger showing in the second half.

Playing in his first game for the club Tom Peverall shifted to right fullback shoring up the Thunder defensively.

"They gave us a bit of trouble down the left wing in the first half,” Hall said.

"We moved Tom out to right fullback and tightened things up.

"He, Paul (Mikula) and Mat (Eilers) had great games.

"Mat made some fantastic saves again for us and was named man of the match by the opposition.”

Reproducing some of the skills that saw them score eight goals two weeks ago, the Thunder were on board in the 66th minute through Luke Lister.

Getting on the end of a pinpoint Kibombo through ball, Lister gave the Power keeper no chance.

"Luke had a great game, he was a real threat going forward,” Hall said.

"It was his start playing in his preferred number nine role and he was excellent. He created chances, defended well and was very positive.”

Originally published as Power silence Thunder