Photo courtesy of Pat Hoelscher Photography.
BY KEVAN SANGSTER
Local soccer club Bayside United were crowned champions of Brisbane’s Premier League last month, upsetting an undefeated Albany Creek Excelsior side in the grand final!
In an enthralling game played at Brisbane Strikers’ Perry Park ground, the Lota club held minor premiers Albany Creek to a 1-1 draw at full time, with Conor Askew grabbing the first half goal. After a tense period of extra time produced no further score, goalkeeper Eddie Murphy proved to be the hero, saving three Albany Creek efforts in the penalty shoot-out to bring the trophy back to Bayside.
It’s the first time in their history that Bayside United had been champions of Brisbane’s top amateur league, and club President Greg Pascal was understandably thrilled. “Our boys were magnificent tonight and the supporters we had at Perry Park were a credit to our club,” Greg told us.
He went on to say that two other Bayside teams made Grand Finals this season too – the Senior Women and the Under 18 Boys – although both fell at the last hurdle and finished runners up.
With a successful season now behind them, the club is already planning for next year, when
their victorious Men’s First Team will compete in the newly formed Football Queensland Premier League (FQPL).
Bayside is also looking to further invest in female football in 2022, having already built female-only changing rooms and increased the female participation at the club significantly in the last 12 months. The aim now will be to see that investment translate to success on the pitch, as they hope to get the Senior Women and Junior Girls’ teams higher up the Brisbane football ladder.
