Fire Women Blitz UQFC
Words: Matt Dorman
Image: Chris Simpson/UQFC
Sunshine Coast Women eliminated a second top-four team from the PlayStation® 4 NPL Queensland Women’s Finals Series by defeating UQFC Women 4-1 at University of Queensland Field 5 on Sunday.
Sofie Persson scored either side of the break before adding a third in stoppage time to help ensure a late UQFC comeback was only fleeting.
Victory means Fire next weekend host Peninsula Power Women, who impressed in a 3-1 win over Eastern Suburbs Women in the other Elimination Semi-Final.
Persson grabbed the first of her treble in the 16th minute, breaking through for a one-on-one and eventually forcing home to open the scoring.
UQFC looked to get back into the game through Greta Bodey but the prolific attacker was denied by a double save from Fire ‘keeper Katie Offer.
The home side called on Dani Harbot to keep out Persson at the other end following that chance, while midfielder Rebekah Horsey unsuccessfully attempted to level matters from a pair of free-kicks.
Having skied a half-volley shortly after the restart, Persson made amends in the 55th minute when she stormed through the defence and beat Harbot on the second attempt.
The initiative fell to UQFC to find a way back into the game and they eventually did so when Katie Winter picked out Bodey, who reduced the deficit to 2-1 inside the final 10 minutes.
However, after more good work from Offer and the Fire defence, substitute Brooke Matheson struck a dagger by latching onto a long clearance and touching home to restore the two-goal buffer.
Persson then kicked-off the visitors’ celebrations just a minute later with the Swedish striker likewise capitalising on a scattered defence to complete her hattrick and cap a famous night for Fire.
Speaking after the match, UQFC coach Wayne Gibbon said the two late goals failed to reflect another chapter in a tight rivalry.
“They finished very well I thought but it was a very competitive game throughout. We’ve had three games against them (and) all three extremely close, competitive matches,” Gibbon said.
While acknowledging the contest was closer than the final scoreline, Fire coach Dave Bensted pointed to his attackers as influential.
“We’ve had some good results lately and today things worked out for us. Sofie (Persson) and Sam (Samara Christmas), they’re always likely to score goals and they caused problems,” Bensted said.
UQFC Women 1 (Greta BODEY 81’)
Sunshine Coast FC Women 4 (Sofie PERSSON 16’, 55’, 90’+1 Brooke MATHESON 90’)
Comments
Comment Guidelines: The SportsTG Network is made up of players, families and passionate sports followers like you who have a strong opinion about sport. That's great - we want you to have your say and share your thoughts with the world. However, we have a few rules that you must follow to keep it fun for all. Please don't be rude, abusive, swear or vilify others. Apart from some pretty serious sport sanctions, we also can ban you and report you if things get out of hand. So play fair and have fun, and thanks for your contribution.