Words: Michael Flynn
Additional Reporting & Images: Paul Smith

Eastern Suburbs FC Women have stormed into second place on the table after down SWQ Thunder Women 3-0 at Gatton Football Club.

Following a tightly contested first half, the visitors ran away with the result in the final half-hour – substitute Mikaela Disavia’s opener complemented by further strikes from Nikkita Hubbard and Susanne McKeen in the closing minutes to seal the win.

The result marks the sixth consecutive clean sheet for Easts as they move to within seven points of league leaders and defending Champions The Gap FC Women.

For Thunder, the result sees them now eight points adrift of the top four with only six matches remaining in the home-and-away season.

Key Moments

20’ – CHANCE FOR THUNDER - Abbey Lloyd lines up a free-kick 25 yards out but puts the ball over the crossbar

22’ – CHANCE FOR EASTS - Louise Coyne puts a through ball in front of Emma Pittman who directs towards goal but diving Thunder goalkeeper Elizabeth Hollitt accounts for the shot

25’ – CHANCE FOR EASTS – Pittman’s through ball releases Nikkita Hubbard but her strike goes just over the crossbar

35’ – CHANCE FOR THUNDER - Sarah Sheridan’s through ball sees Abbey Lloyd charging towards goal, but she pushes her shot wide to the right of the target

53’ – CHANCE FOR EASTS – Pittman beats the offside trap but after a heavy touch to round Hollitt cannot recover in time and the Thunder defence regroup to diffuse the danger

61’ – GOAL FOR EASTS – Michaela Hatzirodos steps around Sheridan and slips a pass for Mikaela Di Savia to convert from ten yards out

67’ – CHANCE FOR EASTS – Laura Harris looks to play in Harkana Dixon but Hollitt intervenes with a fingertip take

79’ – CHANCE FOR THUNDER – Abbey Lloyd gets the better of Harris but fails to control her sight on goal and again misses the target

85’ – CHANCE FOR EASTS – Pittman crosses dangerously for Susanne McKeen but her headed effort is tipped over the cross bar by Hollitt

87’ – GOAL FOR EASTS – Hatzirodos takes possession after Thunder fail to clear a corner, she quickly plays the ball into Hubbard, who tucks away the finish at the back post

89’ – GOAL FOR EASTS – Dixon dribbles down the left cutting back for McKeen to slot the finish from directly in front of goal to seal wrap up the result

What They Said

“It is always a hard game against Easts.  The girls played really well for 80 minutes – it’s just the last 10 that seems to be letting us down.  They’re a great team, and we had to dig deep to keep them out for as long as we did.” – Jordan Franke, SWQ Thunder FC Women captain

“Thunder are an organised unit and work well as a team. As an opposition coach the instruction to the team is to stick to our structures and patterns and eventually create enough opportunities to score some. I thought it was an even contest and it was an entertaining one.  “ – Garrath McPherson, Eastern Suburbs FC Women coach

Match Details

PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues Women’s 2016 – Round

Thursday, June 30
Gatton Football Club, Lockyer Valley Region

SWQ Thunder FC Women – 0
Eastern Suburbs FC Women – 3 (Mikaela DISAVIA 61', Nikkita HUBBARD 87', Susanne MCKEEN 89')

Match Centre – http://bit.ly/298kNfg

Match Officials – Alex HOHN (referee), Josh EISER (assistant), Liam DODMAN (assistant)