Words: Michael Flynn
Additional Reporting: Rob Morris
Images: Gold Coast City FC

A stunning five goal second half fightback saw Gold Coast City Women notch a see-sawing 6-3 win over Sunshine Coast FC Women at Duncan McKenna Field.

Stephanie Foreman starred in with a hat-trick for the hosts, while Jayde Lowe and Chelsea Teveluwe also chimed in to cap off the come-from-behind win.

Fire sparked early to take a two goal lead courtesy of Tegan Buhmann and Madi Warren but halved their advantage by conceding an own goal prior to half-time.

The second half was then dominated by City, with a stunning long-range strike from Samara Christmas the only bright spot for the visitors as the points slipped from their grasp.

The win extends City’s undefeated run in the competition to seven straight matches, while marking a third straight defeat for Fire.

Key Moments

15’ – CHANCE FOR CITY – Jeneya Wharekawa delivers the first salvo of the match after a City corner is laid off for her at the top of the box, however she sends her strike wide of the target

17’ – CHANCE FOR CITY – Neesa Doyle pounces on the last defender to win possession at the edge of the box, however can’t find the target with the ensuing shot

20’ – GOAL FOR FIRE – Tegan Buhmann is given too much space at the edge of the six yard box to head home a Fire corner

31’ – GOAL FOR FIRE – Solid pressure from Madi Warren forces an error by City goalkeeper Sarah McDonald and taps home from point-blank range

36’ – GOAL FOR CITY – Neesa Doyle gets the better of her marker out wide before driving into the penalty and sending in a shot that is deflected across the line for a Fire own goal

40’ – CHANCE FOR FIRE – Linley Archard delivers a well-placed pass to Buhmann to open up the City defence, however Buhmann’s shot from close range is wide

55’ – GOAL FOR CITY – Stephanie Foreman delivers an inch-perfect through-ball for Chelsea Teveluwe to smash into the far right corner of the goal

60’ – GOAL FOR CITY – Neesa Doyle sees her first-time shot saved by Fire goalkeeper Katie Offer but Doyle quickly sends the rebound to Foreman to tap home to level terms

62’ – GOAL FOR CITY – Foreman wins possession off Isabella Neil and drives into the box where she slots a composed left-footed finish to give City the lead for the first time

67’ – GOAL FOR FIRE – Samara Christmas delivers a stunning 30 yard pile driver that gives McDonald no hope of a save and gets her side back into the contest

75’ – GOAL FOR CITY – A full-field passing movement culminates with Doyle cutting the ball from the edge of the area to Foreman in acres of space to convert with a simple tap-in.

86’ – GOAL FOR CITY – Some scrappy play sees the ball eventually falls to Jayde Lowe at the top of the penalty area, who sneaks a looping shot just under the crossbar to make sure of the win

What They Said

“They kept their heads up. We went two goals down but they kept working hard. We had a few things to sort out at half-time but the girls kept positive and kept going and you’ve got to be happy with that. “ – Dave Thompson, Gold Coast City FC Women coach

“We came out in the first half wanting it but in the second half Gold Coast came out wanting it more and they took the chances they had. In the second half we found we were losing a bit of fitness. Our coach says we need to do a bit more fitness at training because it seems to be the second half where we lose the games.“ – Samara Christmas, Sunshine Coast FC Women

Match Details

PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues Women’s 2016 – Round 9

Sunday, May 8
Duncan McKenna Field, Gold Coast

Gold Coast City FC Women – 6 (own goal 36’, Stephanie FOREMAN 60’ 62’ 75’, Chelsea TEVELUWE 75’, Jayde LOWE 86’)
Sunshine Coast FC Women – 3 (Tegan BUHMANN 20’, Madi WARREN 31’, Samara CHRISTMAS 67’

CLICK HERE for the official MATCH CENTRE

Match officials – Krystina MARKOVIC (referee), Dion BRADLEY (assistant), Kai JUDD (assistant)