Words: Michael Flynn
Additional Reporting: Mark Guy
Images: Gold Coast City FC

Gold Coast City Women fought from a goal down to salvage a 1-1 draw with SWQ Thunder Women at Bond University.

Thunder threatened constantly throughout the match but proved unable to finish off their opponents after Abbey Lloyd opened accounts early in the second half.

Several telling saves from City goalkeeper Sarah-Beth McDonald earned reward in the final quarter hour when Joy Forsyth struck her first goal of the season to secure a share of the points.

The result sees both Thunder and City mark three straight matches without defeat heading into the Easter break.

Thunder return to the top four, edging ahead of Souths United in the finals race, while City remain in sixth position.

Key Moments

4’ – CHANCE FOR THUNDER – Abbey Lloyd chances her hand from distance but is denied an early opener by the crossbar

20’ – CHANCE FOR GCC – Ena Tsuzumi and Chelsea Teveluwe both threatened in quick time but both see their attempts held by Thunder goalkeeper Elizabeth Hollitt

49’ – GOAL FOR THUNDER – Abbey Lloyd delivers a solid finish from close range to record her seventh goal of the campaign

54’ – CHANCE FOR THUNDER – Rosanna Berry looks to have doubled the lead but sees her shot blocked on the line by retreating Tsuzumi Ena

72’ – CHANCE FOR THUNDER – Abbey Lloyd breaks through one-on-one but GCC goalkeeper Sarah-Beth McDonald wins the contest to keep her team in the hunt

77’ – CHANCE FOR THUNDER – Another threatening effort from Rosanna Berry but Sarah-Beth McDonald is up to task to palm the shot away with a bit of help from the woodwork

78’ – GOAL FOR GCC – Joy Forsyth bombs down the left and, after cutting inside, converts with a lobbed effort that is beyond the reach of Thunder goalkeeper Elizabeth Hollitt

What They Said

“Our keeper had a good game – definitely her best game of the season. Other than that everyone didn’t play their best today. But it’s onwards and upwards for (the next game).“ – Jamilla Riley, Gold Coast City FC Women

“I think we all had a pretty strong game. It wasn’t our best but our girls up front had a lot of opportunities, there was really hard work in the middle and our defence was really compact to keep them out. So good games all around the field, I think.“ – Jordan Franke, SWQ Thunder FC Women

Match Details

PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues Women’s 2016 – Round 4
Sunday, 20 March
Bond University, Gold Coast

Gold Coast City FC Women 1 draw SWQ Thunder FC Women 1

Gold Coast City FC Women

Goals – Joy FORSYTH 78’
Yellow cards - none
Red cards – none

Squad – 1. Sarah-Beth MCDONALD, 3. Georgia ELLISTON, 4. Jayde LOWE, 7. Ena TSUZUMI, 11. Jamilla RILEY, 12. Joy FORSYTH, 13. Jenaya WHAREKAWA (9. Kayla MILLER-GORCE 45’), 14. Claire FARRINGTON, 15. Breanna GATT (5. Stephanie FOREMAN 45’), 16. Neesa DOYLE (8. Charlotte RAYNER 72’), 18. Chelsea TEVELUWE

Unused – 10. Alanna PATON

SWQ Thunder FC Women

Goals – Abbey LLOYD 49’
Yellow cards - none
Red cards – none

Squad – 1. Elizabeth HOLLITT, 3. Lucy POPLE, 4. Madison Franke, 7. Tiffany DIBLEY, 8. Jordan FRANKE, 9. Emma BEECHAM (12. Harriet KILLEN 45’), 10. Sarah SHERIDAN, 11. Rosanna BERRY, 13. Abbey LLOYD, 14. Jemma BOKES, 15. Melanie LLOYD,

Unused – 2. Lana STYLER, 5. Angela POTTER, 6. Kate BEECHAM, 20. Lucinda JENSEN

Match officials – Sarah PRATT (referee), Dion BRADLEY (assistant), Harry PURSER (assistant)