Sharks-Pride Battle To Stalemate
Words: Michael Flynn
Image: Western Pride FC
Palm Beach SC's hopes of a top four finish suffered a severe blow after battling to a 0-0 draw with a wasteful Western Pride on Wednesday night at Mallawa Complex.
Despite Pride seeing the bulk of the chances throughout the contest, wayward finishing saw the visitors unable to put paid to a winless run that now extends to five matches.
The result marks a first ever PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland clean sheet for Pride goalkeeper Williams in only his third start, and a fifth clean sheet for Sharks’ gloveman Shane Viitakangas this season.
It also leaves Sharks’ PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland Finals Series hopes hanging by a thread and reliant on fourth-placed Olympic FC dropping points at home this weekend.
The host’s went into the match without skipper Justyn McKay and struggled to find their passing rhythm throughout much of the contest.
Their best chance came from an early corner, however midfielder Florian Matk was denied from point blank range by a sharp save by Pride goalkeeper Dylan Williams.
Wayward passes caused Sharks a series of nervous moments but Pride were unable to take advantage - striker Harrison Sawyer failing to find the target with a trio of chances in as many minutes.
Viitakangas wasn’t called into action midway through the half, however Majok Piok’s headed effort was directed straight at the gloveman.
Pride fashioned further half-chances prior to half-time but could not capitalise - Piok skewing a shot wide before Sharks defender Kristian Rees shutdown the last chance of the half with a timely intervention.
Sharks didn’t threaten again until approaching the hour when Nik Mirkovic forced a low save from Williams after combining sharply with Roman Hofmann in the build-up.
From there on the final pass proved increasingly elusive for both sides until the final quarter hour.
The visitors spurned a gift on 75 minutes from a wayward Viitakangas clearance - Mitchell Bird unable to find the empty goal from 35 yards out.
Pride pushed Sharks to the last but continued to falter in front of goal - substitute Gabriel Hawash twice shooting wide in the closing stages of the contest.
Palm Beach SC 0
Western Pride FC 0
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