Words: Matt Dorman

Eastern Suburbs Women struck four times after half-time to secure a patient 5-0 win over Moreton Bay United Women at Heath Park on Saturday night.

Jets were resilient until the final half hour when the league’s second-placed side discovered their scoring boots to keep the pressure on Palm Beach SC Women.

Goals looked set to flow more easily in the early stages as Harkana Dixon opened the scoring in the 21st minute, driving against the underside of the crossbar and into the net from outside the area.

However, Dixon headed wide her next opportunity while Rosie Sutton shot straight at Renee Rudder as Easts’ lead remained slim at the break.

The hosts’ attacking efforts eventually paid dividends on the hour when, after Rudder initially kept out Sutton, Tegan Riding was on hand to make it 2-0.

Five minutes later it was 3-0, Tiffany Roberts this time hitting home from a low Sutton cross.

Easts continued to put Jets on the back foot and added a fourth when Sutton’s shot fortuitously deflected off Sarah Ryan to send Rudder the wrong way.

Natalie Mueller capped a dominant second 45 minutes by firing in the goal of the night late in proceedings to settle the 5-0 result.

Speaking after the match, Easts’ Laura Harris felt the hosts improved markedly in the second half.

“We kept the ball well through the majority of it. It was a little bit frustrating in front of goal at times but I think it was a pretty solid performance,” Harris said.

Jets coach Gary Ward knows his team have work ahead, but is pleased with the early signs of his tenure.

“To go into half-time 1-0 down, I was immensely proud of how the girls played. We talked about structure and discipline and I think the first half they made it really difficult for the opposition,” Ward said.

Listen to the full post-match interview below.

Eastern Suburbs FC Women 5 (Harkana DIXON 21’ Tegan RIDING 60’ Tiffany ROBERTS 64’ Sarah RYAN 77’ Natalie MUELLER 87’)
Moreton Bay United FC Women 0