Words: Matt Dorman
Image: Chris Simpson/UQFC

UQFC Women twice fought back to claim a 3-3 draw and deny Palm Beach SC Women equal top spot at University of Queensland Field 5 on Sunday.

Sharks looked destined to move level with leaders Eastern Suburbs Women when ahead 2-0 after half an hour but ultimately had to settle for an away point.

UQFC stay narrowly ahead of fourth-placed Sunshine Coast Women with three matches remaining.

With neither side able to find their fluid best early, the match required a gift for Lauren Brown to open the scoring in the 20^th minute.

UQFC ‘keeper Kaitlin Peterson cleared a back-pass straight to Brown and the Sharks striker coolly lifted her finish over the stranded young shot-stopper.

The visitors doubled their advantage just two minutes later when fellow free-scoring forward Deeanna Thompson cut in from the right and drove a curling finish into the far corner.

Thompson’s goal snapped UQFC into action for the remainder of the half with a series of corners preceding a lifeline delivered by Linley Archard.

Taking advantage of a loose ball in midfield, Archard slotted past Bianca Warrener to halve the deficit at the break.

The hosts were then level within 10 minutes of the restart as Greta Bodey, challenging Thompson for the Golden Boot, finished neatly to make it 2-2.

Both sides pushed forward in search of a potentially decisive lead and again it was Gary French’s Sharks edging ahead, substitute Eden Jones this time making an impression with 10 minutes to play.

However, UQFC proved their steel ahead of finals as midfielder Chloe Williams ensured Wayne Gibbon’s team remained in the running for a top-two spot.

UQFC Women 3 (Linley ARCHARD 31’ Greta BODEY 53’ Chloe WILLIAMS 86’)
Palm Beach SC Women 3 (Lauren BROWN 20’ Deeanna THOMPSON 22’ Eden JONES 80’)