Words: Michael Flynn
Additional Reporting: John Schiavo
Images: Albert Perez

Gold Coast City Women battled strongly to earn a hard-fought 1-1 away draw against Premiership favourites Eastern Suburbs FC Women at Heath Park.

Ashlee Watkins opened accounts for the hosts midway through the first half, but the teams entered the break deadlocked after Jayde Lowe levelled terms after the half-hour.

Easts’ stable of stars made a determined push for a winner, however were foiled by a resolute City defensive effort.

The point proved enough for Easts to maintain their hold on top spot in the standings for another week, one point ahead of Olympic FC Women, who have the bye.

The result extends City’s unbeaten record against Easts in PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues Women’s competition to three games since 2015.

Key Moments

7’ – CHANCE FOR EASTS – Emma Pittman collects a mishit clearance from City goalkeeper Sarah-Beth McDonald but sends her shot just wide of the target

21’ – GOAL TO EASTS – Tiffany Roberts’ first-time cross picks out Ashlee Watkins, who takes a touch before chipping the onrushing Sarah-Beth McDonald to cap-off a solid team move.

34’ – GOAL FOR CITY – Jenaya Wharekawa’s free-kick creates confusion in the Easts defence and falls for Jayde Lowe, who chips out of position Easts goalkeeper Anastasia Mavrick to level terms

36’ – CHANCE FOR CITY – Stephanie Foreman’s shot takes a deflection and strikes the post before the Easts defenders scramble it clear

38’ – CHANCE FOR EASTS – Ashlee Watkins wins possession off the City defence but her shot is well-saved by Sarah-Beth McDonald

53’ – CHANCE FOR CITY – Substitute Neesa Doyle delivers a stinging effort shortly after entering the fray but can only find the side netting on the angle

60’ – CHANCE FOR EASTS – An error from Claire Farrington enables Rosie Sutton to loom on goal for the hosts, however Farrington recovers smartly to block Sutton’s shot

70’ – CHANCE FOR EASTS – Slick passing between Susanne McKeen, Emma Pittman and Tegan Riding sets up Rosie Sutton but her shot goes wide of goal

87’ – CHANCE FOR EASTS – Mikaela Di Savia’s cross from a short corner finds Emma Pittman lurking at the far post but her goal bound effort is snuffed out by a desperate City defence

What They Said

“We weren’t first to the ball, we weren’t winning our fifty-fifties like we have been. We just weren’t really there today to compete with Gold Coast. We were lucky to get away with a draw but in our minds that’s a loss of two points to us that we should have got. Credit to Gold Coast for keeping us out but we need to raise our standards and get back on form.“ – Susanne McKeen, Eastern Suburbs FC Women

“At the end of the day when we are in these games the players need to understand they don’t get anything without effort and energy. You can have the best structures in the world and the best players in the league – which I think we do – but you get nothing without effort and energy.” – Garrath McPherson, Eastern Suburbs FC Women coach

Match Details

PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues Women’s 2016 – Round 3
Saturday, March 12
Heath Park, Brisbane

Eastern Suburbs FC Women 1 draw Gold Coast City FC Women 1

Eastern Suburbs FC Women

Goals – Ashlee WATKINS 21’
Yellow cards - none
Red cards – none

Squad – 1. Anastasia MAVRICK, 6. Harkan DIXON, 7. Rani LUSTOSA (2. Mikaela DISAVIA 69’), 8. Susanne MCKEEN, 9. Tiffany ROBERTS, 10. Georgina AMOS, 12. Ashlee WATKINS (18. Rosie SUTTON 58’), 13. Emma PITTMAN, 15. Renee COWAN, 19. Michaela HATZIRODOS (20. Tegan RIDING 55’), 25. Jenna MCCORMICK

Unused – 23. Anna WEBBY

Gold Coast City FC Women

Goals – Jayde LOWE 34’
Yellow cards – Claire FARRINGTON 27’, Jamilla RILEY 37’
Red cards – none

Squad – 1. Sarah-Beth MCDONALD, 3. Georgia ELLISTON, 4. Jayde LOWE, 5. Stephanie FOREMAN, 7. Ena TSUZUMI, 11. Jamilla RILEY, 12. Joy FORSYTH, 13. Jenaya WHAREKAWA, 14. Claire FARRINGTON, 15. Breanna GATT, 16. Neesa DOYLE (18. Chelsea TEVELUWE 50’)

Unused – 8. Charlotte RAYNER, 10. Alanna PATON

Match Officials – Tegan JONES (referee), Vanessa MARTENS (assistant), Carny TEMPLE (assistant)