Connor Pain made history for Western United last weekend, becoming the first player to reach 100 Isuzu UTE A-League Men appearances for the Club.
Having been a part of the team since the beginning and missing just five league matches since joining the Club, Pain has been a key contributor to some of United’s best results on the pitch.
We take a look back at Pain’s best five matches at Western United to celebrate him becoming the Club’s first ever centurion.
2019/20, Round 1 vs Wellington Phoenix – 13 October, 2019
Going all the way back to Western United’s first ever match in the Isuzu UTE A-League, where Pain had a hand in another historic moment as United faced off against Wellington Phoenix.
Finding space on the left-wing just after the half hour mark, Pain sent a brilliant cross towards Josh Risdon at the back post who teed up Besart Berisha for United’s first ever goal, one that would go on to secure a first ever win.
It is a highlight that will forever remain a significant milestone in Western United’s history and one that Pain had a major hand in.
2019/20, Round 10 vs Brisbane Roar – 13 December, 2019
Exactly two months after that famous win over Wellington, Connor Pain notched up another personal milestone with his first goal for the Green and Black.
After a positive start at Suncorp Stadium, Pain ghosted in at the back post to squeeze home Alessandro Diamanti’s brilliant cross, sending the ball through the legs of current teammate Jamie Young in the Brisbane goal.
United went on to win that game 2-0 and Pain would continue having an outstanding debut campaign in Green and Black, helping the side to reach the Preliminary Final stage.
2021/22, Round 24 vs Perth Glory – 16 April, 2022
Western United’s biggest ever win in the Isuzu UTE A-League was largely thanks to some of Pain’s work as he ran riot in a 6-0 romp of Perth Glory in April 2022.
The No.11’s goal-bound shot deflected in off Lachie Wales for an assist before Pain put the ball on a plate for Dylan Pierias to slam home a third later on in the first half.
Pain was involved in the fourth and fifth goals as well as he and Ben Garuccio dominated the left-hand touchline in this game.
That result remains United’s biggest margin of victory and it also confirmed United’s place in the Finals at the time, from where the Green and Black would go on to greatness.
2021/22, Semi-Final Second Leg vs Melbourne Victory – 21 May, 2022
Needing a win against his former side, Pain produced one of his best performances when United needed it most in last season’s Semi-Final second leg against Melbourne Victory.
Pain was at his creative best in this match with one of the best assists of his career to find Aleksandar Prijovic lurking in the box to head home.
Then his assist for the final goal of the night was typical of the man. In the dying stages of an incredibly taxing match, Pain outlasted everyone to get in behind and find Dylan Wenzel-Halls running into an open net.
That moment typified Pain’s career at Western United to date and secured a spot in the Grand Final where United would go on to lift its first piece of silverware.
2022/23, Round 20 vs Melbourne Victory – 13 March, 2023
Once more against Melbourne Victory, Pain turned it on with arguably his best overall performance in his 99th match for the Club.
The No.11 repeated his feat from the semi-final by setting up two goals as United secured an important win in the race for Finals football this season.
Pain glided past Damien Da Silva to put the ball on a plate for Noah Botic’s opener before providing for Prijovic’s winner in the second half.
Pain’s exploits on the night earned him man of the match honours, a fitting sign of his consistency that his first match and his 99th match feature among his best in Green and Black.
