Peninsula Through To National Round Of 32
Grange Thistle 0
Peninsula Power 3 (Briggs 29', 47'; Mendy 58') HT 0-1 Played at: Lanham Park
Peninsula Power joined Moreton Bay United in to the national Round of 32 of the Westfield FFA Cup for the first time in their history, courtesy of a 3-0 success away to fellow Flight Centre Premier League side Grange Thistle on Saturday evening, in front of a large vocal crowd at Lanham Park A sublime brace from Dean Briggs either side of half time and a Charles Mendy strike on the hour mark were enough to make Power only the second side from Brisbane's community clubs to progress to the dizzy heights of the national stage in the competition. Thistle had the first opportunity to open the scoring following a fine move that saw Tim Smits lay the ball on to Joey Masuda who's volley from just inside the box flew high over the bar when he perhaps had more time to control the ball and hit the target. Power had a strong case for penalty on 20 minutes. Shaun Feuerreigel stealing the ball off Thistle's Shuhei Hasagawa who then seemed to bundle into the back of Feuerriegel as he drove into the box heading goal ward. But Referee Casey Reibelt was well placed and waved away Power's appeals. Grange nearly took the lead midway through the half when Cameron Booth linked up with Masuda, who's teasing cross was met at the far post from a lunging Smits. His effort though rebounding off the post with Reesby beaten. On the half hour, momentum swung Powers way when Richard Hurlin seemed to play in a seemingly stray deep cross to Thistle's back post but Briggs was homing in on the ball, meeting it with a superb half volley that went back across Zac Symons goal before nestling just inside the far post for the opener. With the half drawing to a close, Power nearly doubled their lead. Feuerriegel firing just wide after nipping the ball past on rushing Thistle keeper Symons, but he was unable to direct it on target as it drifted narrowly wide. Just two minutes into the second half though and Power did double their advantage. Again it was the combination of Hurlin and Briggs that caused the damage. Hurlin was able to embark on a wide run, skipping past his opponent and making his way to the goal line where he whipped in another pin point cross that was met full volley by Briggs who's technique was perfect, smashing the ball beyond Symons in almost identical fashion to his first half strike - but this one was better! The hosts introduced their new signing with former Scottish Youth International Ryan Finnie coming on for Chris Roulston, but any hopes Grange had of a comeback were all but extinguished just before the hour mark. Charles Mendy breaking the off side trap from a long through ball and despite his first touch seemingly putting the ball out of reach, he turned on the afterburners to reach it before a flat footed Synons and rounding the Grange custodian before stroking the ball into an empty net.
Finnie then found his introduction to football in Brisbane one to forget when he picked up a second yellow card in added time for shirt pull on Josh Wooley. Referee Reibelt left with no choice but to give Thistle's new import an early shower. With time running out and the rain beginning to fall, a late chance for Smits was squandered and with it there Westfield FFA Cup hopes as Power started their celebrations with Referee Reibelt's final whistle.
The night ultimately belonged to Power. Their display finally living up to their potential. After last week's loss to Thistle in the league at the same venue, lessons were obviously learned from that game and they gave the hosts little in the way of opportunities.
FB Media Player of the Match: Dean Briggs (Peninsula Power).
For a side that worked tirelessly throughout, it's tricky picking someone out but Dean Briggs just gets the nod with two sublime finishes and a stellar work rate that contributed hugely to his side's success. Special mention to Matt Boyd in the back line who's defensive duties stood out as well.
Coaches Remarks: Mick Hornby (Grange Thistle): "We're all pretty disappointed with our performance tonight. I think the boys were pretty flat in all honesty, not sure why, maybe the sense of the occasion. Peninsula Power played very very well although they only really had the three chances. We hit the post early on and had a couple of half chances. One of those goes in and pressure goes the other way."
"When you get to this stage of the cup, every game is a grand final and you have to be up for it. Unfortunately our boys weren't quite on it and we were a bit on our heels tonight."
Ben Ryan (Asst Coach - Peninsula Power): "I thought it was a closer game than 3-0 would suggest. I think having played them last week in the league, we definitely benefited from that. We were able to assess what they do well and they do a few things well, and we were able to combat it. Getting the first goal was huge for us. Had we gone behind it would have been a completely different game."
"We are delighted. It was one of our aims at the start of the year to make the Round of 32. It was a real aim and something that was set to us, so making it is superb. We don't mind who we get in the draw. I'm sure the lads would love a trip to Melbourne. Or you want an A-League club at home and really test yourselves. It doesn't really matter who we get. It's national exposure now for the cub."
FB Media Stats:
1st Half Possession: 46% - 54%
2nd Half Possession: 41% - 59%
Overall Possession: 44% - 56%
Shots on target: 4 - 11
Shots off target: 5 - 4
Shots blocked: 0 - 1
Corners: 0 - 1
Free Kicks: 15 - 15
Penalties: 0 - 0
Offside: 2 - 3
Yellow Cards: 2 - 0
Red Cards: 1 - 0 Team Line-ups:
Grange Thistle: Symons (gk), Adamson, Booth, Clayton, Hasegawa (Somerville 79'), Hornby, Masuda (Mayberry 67'), Mooney, Roulston (Finney 56'), Smits, Yoshisugi.
Subs: Bowden (rgk), Mayberry, Parke, Somerville, Finney (sent off 90+2').
Peninsula Power: Ressby (gk), Bonotto, Boyd, Briggs (Baird 87'), Cunha, Feuerriegel (Austin 85'), Hurlin, Mendy (Wooley 79'), Salin, Strickland, Froggatt.
Subs: Austin, Spiandorello, Wooley, Baird, Carr (rgk). Referee: Casey Reibelt
