Words: Bree Reidy & Michael Flynn
Additional Reporting: Joshua Martin
Images: Chris Simpson

A late penalty from Megan Price has extended The Gap FC Women's winning start to 2016 following a 3-2 win over Souths United Women at Walton Bridge Reserve.

The team's exhanged blows throughout a hard-fought contest - Meaghan McElligott taking her season's tally to eight goals in three games but seeing her efforts cancelled out by Ruth Blackburn and an own goal.

However, Price's penalty ultimately proved decisive for the defending PlayStation 4 NPLW Queensland Champions to ensure a third straight win of the campaign and returning the team to within a point of league leaders Eastern Suburbs FC.

The result consigns Souths to their first defeat of the 2016 campaign and extends their record of never defeating the Gators in the competition.

Match Summary

11’ – GOAL TO SOUTHS – Meaghan McElligott forces her way onto the end of a through ball bursting past two defenders, placing the ball to the right of Gators goalkeeper Noran Abaza to open the scoring

13’ GOAL FOR GATORS – An error by Ambrosia Malone sees her send the ball to the left of her own keeper for an own goal

18’ – CHANCE FOR SOUTHS - A floated cross beats Noran Abaza but Meaghan McElligott’s volley goes wide of the target

29’ – CHANCE FOR GATORS– Eden Jones breaks clear after dribbling past a defender, Warrener dives full stretch to her left to deny Jones.

57’ – GOAL FOR GATORS – Ruth Blackburn springs to action with a driven shot which flies into the top left over keeper Bianca Warrener’s shoulder

65’ - GOAL FOR SOUTHS – Megan McElligott makes a strong run down the left wing, unleashing a shot seven yards out to beat the keeper at the near post.

83’ – CHANCE FOR GATORS – Catherine O’Neil attempts to lob a free kick in from 20 yards out but Bianca Warrener catches the ball on the goal line.

86’ - GOAL FOR GATORS – Eloise Fryer brings down Greta Bodey in the box, leaving Megan Price to convert from the spot with a well-placed shot into the top left.

What They Said

“After the game tonight I think they (the girls) are going to be well and truly grounded. It was by no means an easy game, I mean we could have lost that game such was the quality of the opponent. I think it’s a fair point for a lot of the competition that we will take some of the teams easily but one of the keys to our philosophy is to try and be better than the week before and that’s what we keep focusing on.” – Rob Askew, The Gap FC Women Coach

“I always felt that we were in the game so we’re obviously disappointed that we conceded in the last couple of minutes with a penalty as I thought 2-2 was a fair result. Having said all that I think it was a great game for everyone to come and watch. This is only the third game of the season so we’re going to improve as the season goes. We don’t like to concede goals so that’s something that we’ll work on not just the defenders but the midfielders and the forwards as well.” – Gary French. Souths United FC Women Coach

Match Details

PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues Women’s 2016 – Round 4
Saturday, March 19
Walton Bridge Reserve, Brisbane

The Gap FC Women 3 defeat Souths United FC Women 2

The Gap FC Women

Goals – own goal 13', Ruth BLACKBURN 57’, Megan Price 86’p
Yellow cards – none
Red cards – none

Squad – 1. Noran ABAZA, 6. Ashleigh BUCKNELL, 7. Zali EASON-COUTTS (2. Talitha DORO 81’), 8. Kaitlyn WINTER (Bethany ASTON 71’), 9. Hayley RICCARDI, 11. Greta BODEY, 12. Jessica DILLON, 13. Megan PRICE, 15. Ruth BLACKBURN, 16. Catherine O’NEILL 18. Eden JONES (2. Charlotte BOHIS 58’).

Unused – 4. Natalie MUELLER

Souths United FC Women

Goals – Meaghan MCELLIGOTT 11’ 66’
Yellow cards – Ambrosia MALONE 87’
Red cards – none

Squad – 1. Bianca WARRENER, 2. Ambrosia MALONE, 3. Louisa MALMION (6. Kirsten MCGILVRAY 85’), 4. Eloise FRYER, 5. Georgia KEEN, 7. Meaghan MCELLIGOTT, 8. Georgia CHAPMAN (9. Terri-Amber CARLSON 54’), 10. Deeanna THOMPSON (12. Rita MARSHELL 85’), 13. Tayler STEVENS, 15. Ayesha NORRIE, 16. Chelsea Harper

Unused – 11. Caitlin MOSS, Brittany GERADA

Match Officials – Vicky CLARK (referee), Amanda WIEBE (assistant), Laura KRAUSE (assistant).