Words: Callum Dick & Michael Flynn
Image: Paul Smith

A six goal first-half blitz set-up a comfortable 7-0 victory for SWQ Thunder Women over Redlands United at Cleveland Showgrounds.

Melanie Lloyd’s first-half hat-trick – her second against Redlands this season – was complemented by a double from Abbey Lloyd and a further strike from Emma Beecham to wrap up the points prior to the half.

Lloyd added the final goal shortly after the restart to round out the result, with the subsequent substitution of the two Lloyd sisters evening the remainder of the contest.

Thunder’s second win of the season against Redlands sees them remain clear fifth in the league standings and still firmly in the hunt for a maiden Finals Series appearance.

For Redlands, the match marks an eleventh straight defeat and sees the bottom of the table club without a goal to their credit in their past six matches.

Key Moments

6’ – CHANCE FOR THUNDER – Jordan Franke pounces on a poor clearing header from Samantha Micallef, but the shot flies just high of the crossbar

17’ – GOAL FOR THUNDER – Melanie Lloyd capitalises on a mistake in the Redlands half, running inside the box and beating Redlands goalkeeper Megan Byriel at her far post

21’ – GOAL FOR THUNDER – Melanie Lloyd runs unopposed down the left before finishing at the near post for her second inside five minutes

27’ – GOAL FOR THUNDER – Rosanna Berry’s curling cross finds the head of an unmarked Abbey Lloyd, who calmly puts it past Byriel from close range

29’ – CHANCE FOR THUNDER – Abbey Lloyd almost makes it two in as many minutes, striking from 12 yards into the left-hand post

37’ – GOAL FOR THUNDER – In a crowded box, Emma Beecham finds enough space to squeeze a shot away and add her name to the scoresheet

41’ – GOAL FOR THUNDER – Melanie Lloyd makes it a first-half hat-trick, noticing Byriel off her line and striking from distance into an empty net

42’ – GOAL FOR THUNDER – Not to be outdone, Abbey Lloyd steps around two defenders and powers into the bottom right corner for her second of the half

47’ – GOAL FOR THUNDER – Melanie Lloyd is played in behind the Redlands defence before finishing across her body

73’ – CHANCE FOR REDLANDS – The hosts come tantalisingly close to pegging one back, with Jordyn Witt’s cross narrowly eluding substitute Demmie Young at the far post.

76’ – CHANCE FOR THUNDER – Franke cannons a strike into the crossbar from 18 yards

What They Said

“It’s always nice to pick up the points on the road, and to do it in an emphatic fashion is icing on the cake. We haven’t travelled as well as we would have liked, so it’s good to get the season back on track. (Abbey and Melanie Lloyd) seem to have their own little competition going between them now, and it was nice to see them both get a couple of goals tonight.” – Anthony Bigby, SWQ Thunder Women coach

“I thought the first half we were all over the place, we weren’t committed enough. We had a very frank discussion at half time about what we wanted to achieve in the second half, and I thought the whole team (improved) ten-fold after that.” – John Blanco, Redlands United Women coach

“The girls that have never played (at this level) before, you notice at training the small things that they’re starting to pick up on. Now they’re getting positioning right, learning the pace of the game, and we’re seeing small improvements week by week.” – Nadine Magee, Redlands United Women player

Match Details

PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues Women’s 2016 – Round 14

Saturday, June 18
Cleveland Showgrounds, Redlands

Redlands United FC Women – 0
SWQ Thunder FC Women – 7 (Melanie LLOYD 17’ 21’ 41’ 47’, Abbey LLOYD 27’ 42’, Emma BEECHAM 37’)

Match Centre – http://bit.ly/1OvsTRk

Match Officials - Kianna AQUILINA-HENDERSON (referee), Nic PINNA (assistant), Caitlin RUHLAND (assistant)