Fast-Finishing UQFC Seal Fourth
Words: Staff Writers
Image: Chris Simpson/UQFC
UQFC Women harmed the Finals Series hopes of Olympic FC Women with a 3-1 win at University of Queensland Field 5 on Sunday.
The hosts struck twice after Lizzy Doherty levelled matters to go unbeaten in six and exact revenge for a 1-0 defeat earlier this term.
Olympic’s chances of remaining sixth now rest on Peninsula Power Women failing to win away to SWQ Thunder Women in next weekend’s catch-up fixture.
UQFC started the brighter without making the most of their early openings.
However, the quality of Georgia Chapman told in the 16th minute when the former Brisbane Roar player scored from the edge of the area to make it 1-0.
Olympic looked for an immediate response but Allira Toby was denied in a one-on-one by UQFC goalkeeper Dani Harbot.
Jazmyn Perin and Jessica McLean both also tested Harbot in quick succession, with the shot-stopper keeping her side ahead at the break.
Toby's speed continued to cause problems on the counter while Greta Bodey was unable to make the most of Chapman’s through ball at the other end.
Olympic pulled level just two minutes after that opportunity as Doherty reacted quickest to Toby’s initial shot against the woodwork, sparking the visitors' hopes of sewing up sixth.
Katie Ronan’s reflex save denied Bodey a better run at the Golden Boot but, from the resultant corner, Rebekah Horsey followed in her own delivery to fire home UQFC’s second.
Bodey then sealed all three points after a sustained period of pressure with her 31st of the season, just one shy of overall leader Deeanna Thompson.
Speaking after the match, UQFC coach Wayne Gibbon alluded to the tight nature of the standings as foreshadowing a hard-fought Finals Series to come.
“Four teams within three points of each other, that’s what a competition should be. I expect it to be another tough game (against Sunshine Coast) in two weeks’ time,” Gibbon said.
Olympic coach Phil Canham said his side still had another step to take to challenge the league’s top outfits.
“I think we’ve got a lot of potential in the team but we need to find that consistency and cutting edge,” Canham said.
UQFC Women 3 (Georgia CHAPMAN 16’ Rebekah HORSEY 69’ Greta BODEY 77’)
Olympic FC Women 1 (Lizzy DOHERTY 60’)
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