Words: Matt Dorman

Leah Curtis’ double led The Gap Women to a 2-0 win over Western Pride Women at Walton Bridge Reserve on Saturday night.

Curtis struck towards the end of both halves to ensure the hosts’ profligacy wouldn’t go punished as they moved into fourth on the ladder.

It was an inauspicious start in front of goal as Gators attacker Gabe Marzano struck the woodwork three times inside the opening 15 minutes.

Plenty of attempts continued to be made with the visitors coming back into the contest in the latter part of the half.

Hull-born winger Georgia Harper tried her luck with a dangerous effort just before the break while Summer O’Brien was needed to clear another Pride effort.

Gators did manage the opening goal on the stroke of half-time though when Charli McLennan’s cross took a touch from Marzano before Curtis did the rest to make it 1-0.

After a series of fouls early disrupted play early in the second stanza, Pride striker Sasha McDonnell tried to pull her side level with a shot straight at goalkeeper Noran Abaza.

Kara Mowbray next hit the sidenetting, while Gators debutant Holly Hitchener might have sealed all three points but after beating the ‘keeper her shot was cleared by scrambling Pride defenders before Marzano turned over.

However, the hosts were finally able to relax five minutes from full-time when Curtis made it a brace to complete victory.

Speaking after the match, Gators coach Rob Askew was relieved to secure victory after passing up a host of chances.

“It was a coach-killer that game. We were dominant for the majority of it, certainly in that first half hour,” Askew said.

Pride player-coach Lorena Maggio was pleased with the turnaround from an 8-0 loss to Gators a fortnight ago and felt a result was within reach.

“I’m really proud of the girls tonight because the points could have gone any way. We were unlucky not to come away with anything,” Maggio said.

Listen to the full post-match interviews below.

The Gap FC Women 2 (Leah CURTIS 45’, 86’)
Western Pride FC Women 0