Words: Matt Dorman

The Gap Women stretched their unbeaten run to six with a 3-0 defeat of UQFC Women at University of Queensland Field 5 on Sunday night.

Rob Askew’s side led by a lone goal at the break but Gabe Marzano and Leah Curtis ensured Gators’ impressive form continued.

Marzano got the scoring underway inside 20 minutes when Jess Dillon’s pass afforded the striker time to steady and score.

The two teams traded efforts for the remainder of the half with Marzano and UQFC pair Emma Pittman and CJ Mitchell all trying their luck without success.

Gators were back on the attack after the restart but Marzano fired a chance over the crossbar while Leah Curtis and Ruth Blackburn were both denied by UQFC ‘keeper Dani Harbot.

However, the visitors did get an all-important second when the in-form Curtis finished a low cross at the near post to make it 2-0 just after the hour.

Gators goalkeeper Noran Abaza remained solid under mounting pressure at the other end and her efforts to keep out the likes of Greta Bodey proved important as teammate Marzano secured victory with a shot in off the post in the closing minutes.

Speaking after the match, UQFC coach Wayne Gibbon reflected positively despite defeat.

“I think as an all-round performance, it’s strange (to say) having lost 3-0, but that’s actually one of our better games this season,” Gibbon said.

Gators captain Rebecca Price was pleased to see her side continue their upward trend.

“It’s six or seven games now where we’ve been building a bit of form and confidence and I guess getting back into the zone we like to play in,” Price said.

Listen to the full post-match interviews below.

UQFC Women 0
The Gap Women 3 (Gabe MARZANO 18’, 88’ Leah CURTIS 64’)