Words: Michael Flynn
Image: Ray Gardner

Ipswich played host to a full day of action as all but one PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues Women’s club concluded their pre-season fixtures at Briggs Road Complex.

Gators Warm-up For Title Defence

Ruth Blackburn delivered a goal in each half as The Gap FC Women cruised to a 3-0 win over Souths United Women in the first match of the day.

Blackburn converted the opener inside the opening five minutes against a Souths outfit desperately in search of match fitness after two straight pre-season cancellations.

Talitha Doro doubled the advantage just before the half hour by pouncing on a parried save from Souths goalkeeper Bianca Warrener.

Souths battled despite being reduced to ten players following injury to McKenzie Douglas but eventually succumbed a final time to Gators’ high press – Blackburn winning possession and converting to wrap up the result.

Souths United FC Women  0
The Gap FC Women  3 (Ruth BLACKBURN 4’ 76’, Talitha DORO 25’)

UQFC Find Form Over Redlands

Zozia Sen and Vicky Lines both delivered doubles to set-up University of Queensland FC Women for a comfortable 5-0 win over Redlands United Women.

Sen struck twice in the opening stanza to establish a comfortable half-time advantage – poking home her first amidst a scramble before delivering a clinical first-time finish just before the half.

Lines netted a quick-time brace shortly after the restart to seal the win – winning out one-on-one with Megan Byriel before turning in a near post finish to Steph White’s cross just after the hour.

White rounded out the result by turning home a cross from Sen, however UQFC spurned the chance for a sixth when Georgia Buchanan was denied from a late penalty attempt by Byriel.

Redlands United FC Women  0
University of Queensland FC Women  5 (Zozia SEN 14’ 36’, Vicky LINES 55’, Steph WHITE 77’)

Fighting Thunder Roll Power

SWQ Thunder Women mounted a late second half charge to roll roll over the top of Peninsula Power Women 3-2.

Following a scoreless first-half the sides exchanged a quick counter punch prior to the hour – Grace Duruox opening accounts only to see the ledger squared by Abby Lloyd two minutes later.

Madoka Momma restored Power’s lead on a second phase play – collecting a clearing header before delivering a pin-point finish from 25 yards.

However, Thunder’s Jordie Franke levelled terms in spectacular fashion entering the final quarter hour by winning possession on half-way and guiding a 50 yard finish over the head of the stranded goalkeeper.

Melanie Lloyd delivered the decisive blow in the final stages – shaking a defender before guiding her finish across the goalkeeper and in at the far post.

SWQ Thunder FC Women  3 (Abby LLOYD 54’, Jordie FRANKE 75’, Melanie LLOYD 82’)
Peninsula Power FC Women  2 (Grace DUROUX 52’, Madoka MOMMA 63’)

Easts Fightback To Draw Olympic

Kristen Jamieson struck a brace for Olympic FC Women but it wasn’t enough as Eastern Suburbs FC Women fought back to earn a 3-3 draw.

Olympic stormed to a two goal advantage early in the match – Jamieson opening accounts with a lob from 35 yards before Allira Toby blitzed through the Easts defence to slot her finish from the edge of the area.

Mikaela Di Savia pulled a goal back before the break against her former club, however Olympic restored their buffer just after the hour when Jamieson converted her second.

It wasn’t enough though as Easts mounted a late fightback – a deceptive strike from Georgina Amos halving the deficit before substitute Mel Griffiths converted with a lobbed finish on the turn to share the spoils.

Eastern Suburbs FC  3 (Kirsten JAMIESON 12’ 63’, Allira TOBY 18’)
Olympic FC Women  3 (Mikaela DI SAVIA 34’, Georgina AMOS 70’, Mel GRIFFITHS 80’)

GCC Strike Late To Down Fury

A second half strike from Jayde Lowe proved decisive for Gold Coast City Women as they edged out Northern Fury Women 1-0.

The teams exchanged half-chances throughout the first half without reward, with neither goalkeeper truly tested by either side as the team’s battled in midfield.

However, City quickly took control in the second stanza and netted the only goal of the contest when Lowe curled a shot into the top corner from the edge of the area.

Gold Coast City FC Women  1 (Jayde LOWE 61’)
Northern Fury FC Women  0

Pride Finish Strong To Beat Fire

Western Pride struck in the final quarter hour to overcome a spirited Sunshine Coast FC Women 2-1 in the final match of the day.

Melissa Von Bischoffshausen delivered the hosts the perfect start in the opening minute when she blitzed through Fire’s defences to convert the opener.

The contest settled and neither side could add to the score until the second half when Fire restored parity just after the hour - Maddie Warren turning in a cross from Lisa Van Hooijdonk.

However, Pride pounced again in the closing stages as Fire faltered against Pride’s high press – Teagan Essom pouncing on an errant back-pass to set-up a simple finish to round out the result.

Western Pride FC Women  2 (Melissa VON BISCHOFFSHAUSEN 1’, Teagan ESSOM 76’)
Sunshine Coast FC Women  1 (Maddie WARREN 63’)