Words: Michael Flynn
Additional Reporting: Sam Attwood
Images: Sam Attwood

Sunshine Coast FC Women have their first win of the season after easily accounting for Western Pride Women 4-1 in a fast and furious attacking contest at Kawana Sports Precinct.

Samara Christmas topped and tailed the scoring for the hosts to lift her season’s tally to five goals, while Madi Warren and Kirsty Clifford also contributed to end their side’s four match winless run.

Pride levelled terms midway through the first-half via NIkkita Hubbard but it offered scant consolation as the Ipswich-based side succumbed to their largest losing margin this season.

The win was soured for the hosts by a second-half injury to Emily Walkerden-Ridge, who was transported to hospital as a precaution after sustaining a back injury in a tackle.

The win lifts Fire to seventh on the table – their highest position since their opening round draw against Peninsula Power.

Key Moments

6’ – CHANCE FOR FIRE – Kirsty Clifford hits the opening salvo of the contest but sends the effort high from point-blank range

11’ – CHANCE FOR FIRE – Linley Archard is denied by an instinctive save from Pride goalkeeper Kirsten Veeren from inside the six yard box

14’ – CHANCE FOR FIRE – Samara Christmas delivers a threatening free-kick from 25 yards out that rattles the crossbar

22’- CHANCE FOR PRIDE – Melissa Von Bischoffshausen sees her angled effort denied by a solid save from Fire goalkeeper Katie Offer

30’ – GOAL FOR FIRE – Tegan Buhmann picks out Samara Christmas, who takes a touch before delivering a low and hard finish that goes under the diving Kirsten Veeren

33’ – GOAL FOR PRIDE – Nikkita Hubbard pulls the trigger from just outside the penalty area to nestle the ball into the bottom corner

34’ – CHANCE FOR PRIDE – The visitors miss a golden opportunity to level terms as Kristy Hayward blazes high from close range

43’ – GOAL FOR FIRE – Madi Warren turns in a free-kick at the back post to restore the hosts advantage before the break

59’ – GOAL FOR FIRE – Kirsty Clifford converts from the edge of the penalty box

63’ – CHANCE FOR FIRE – Samara Christmas scoops another attempt from close range high of the target

80’ – CHANCE FOR FIRE – Kirsten Veeren again called upon to make a save this time pushing away Samara Christmas’ attempt

89’ – GOAL FOR FIRE – Samara Christmas pounces on a deflection and tucks the ball away to round out her brace

What They Said

“Two weeks ago we got hammered and I wasn’t here. That was something we had to put right. It’s a good response (today) and in fairness we do know that the Brisbane teams are quite good. Now that we have played some of the Brisbane teams I back us to get a couple more wins. It’s onward and upwards from here and as long we keep playing the football we are playing there will be more three points to come. “ – Tom White, Sunshine Coast FC Women coach

“In the first half there was some quality football by us but in the second half it was very disjointed from us. That was due to a couple of injuries and a couple of stopagges – mainly from the ambulance being called. But saying that, Sunshine Coast just played better football than us.“ – Len Manwaring, Western Pride FC coach

Match Details

PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues Women’s 2016 – Round 5
Sunday, April 10
Kawana Sports Precinct, Sunshine Coast

Sunshine Coast FC Women 4 defeat Western Pride FC Women 1

Fire Goals – Samara CHRISTMAS 33’ 90’, Madi WARREN 45’, Kirsty CLIFFORD 76’
Fire Yellow Cards - none
Fire Red Cards – none

Fire Squad – 1. Katie OFFER, 3. Cassandra BUHMANN, 5. Emily WALKDERDEN-RIDGE (2. Isabella NEIL 54’), 6. Martha BENSTED, 7. Kirsty CLIFFORD, 9. Samara CHRISTMAS, 11. Tegan BUHMANN, 12. Linley ARCHARD, 13. Kirra GUY, 14. Kristy HAYWARD (4. Jessica BENDER 90’), 16. Madi WARREN
Fire Unused – none

Pride Goals – Nikkita HUBBARD 36’
Pride Yellow Cards – none
Pride Red Cards – none

Pride Squad – 1. Kirsten VEEREN, 2. Emma BARNES, 3. Jasmin GRAHAM, 4. Nikkita HUBBARD, 5. Alicia COLE, 8. Melissah VON BISCHOFFSHAUSEN, 11. Natasha KIRCHNER (7. Nikkola DAWES 45’), 12. Callie MANWARING (6. Annie LEYLAND 77’), 14. Mariecamilla FALANIKO AH KI, 15. Montanna MCAVOY, 16. Nicole QUINN (21. Ella Jewel ROOSEN 75’)
Pride Unused – 13. Ebony MCQUEEN

Match Officials – Sarah WILLINGTON (referee), Sarah PRATT (assistant), Laura KRAUSE (assistant)