Words: Michael Flynn

Western Pride are the first PlayStation® 4 NPL Queensland club to be eliminated from the Westfield FFA Cup 2015 after falling 1-0 to Ipswich Knights at Eric Evans Oval on Wednesday night.

Knights’ Lucas Wilson delivered the decisive goal in the dying moments of the second half to break the hearts of Pride supporters seeking payback for last year’s Westfield FFA Cup elimination, also at the hands of Knights.

Following an impressive start to the PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland season, the Ipswich-based Pride were considered tentative favourites for the match against their third-tier Trophy Superstore Premier League opponents in the Westfield FFA Cup Brisbane Zone Qualifying Round 5 fixture.

A frenetic but tight start to the contest saw Pride fashion to best of the early chances when Chris Scott hit the crossbar on the quarter hour with a driven strike from 15 yards.

Pride dominated possession for much of the first half, however further clear-cut chances proved elusive prior to the interval for both sides in a typically hard-fought cup tie.

Knights continued to frustrate their opponents after the restart and eventually created a chance of their own when Matthew Savini forced a solid save from Pride goalkeeper Bon Scott prior to the hour.

Pride added their all-time leading goalscorer Peter Drager to the mix soon after with immediate results - the lanky marksman shooting over the bar one-one with the Knights goalkeeper before hitting the post shortly after.

Further chances eventuated for both sides late in the contest as Ben Giverin forced Pride goalkeeper Bon Scott to save, while Pride saw a shot cleared off the line heading into the final ten minutes.

The match seemed set for extra time before Wilson struck dramatically in the final minute of regular time - pouncing on the counter attack following a Pride free-kick to deliver the winning goal.

Knights now progress to the Westfield FFA Cup 2015 Brisbane Zone Qualifying Round 6, while Pride must wait another year to again chance their hand in the competition.

Speaking post-match, Pride midfielder Lincoln Rule said the match was a different proposition for he and his teammates when compared to league fixtures.

"The first ten to fifteen minutes is always a big battle and we knew that was going to happen," he explained.

"To compare it to NPL, I suppose cup football is always different. Both teams want to progress and that's why it starts at one hundred miles an hour," he concluded.

Ipswich Knights FC  1 (Lucas WILSON 90+3’)
Western Pride FC  0