Words: Michael Flynn
Additional Reporting: Garry McKenzie
Images: Chris Simpson

Sunshine Coast FC Women have ended a three match losing run with a solid 3-0 win over Western Pride Women at Briggs Road Complex.

Danielle White struck a goal in each half for Fire while Samara Christmas added another from the penalty spot prior to half-time to guide Fire to just their fourth win of the season.

Pride threatened to work their way back into the contest but failed to make the most of their opportunities – Darcie Wilson’s saved penalty attempt early in the second half emblematic of the host’s afternoon.

The win marks just a second clean sheet for Fire this season and moves them level on 13 points with Pride, who remain seventh in the standings on goal difference.

Key Moments

3’ - CHANCE FOR PRIDE - A Nicole Quinn cross finds Mellisah Von Bischhoffhausen in the box but her first-time shot flashes wide of the target

7’ - GOAL FOR FIRE - Danielle White latches onto a Kirsty Clifford cutback to slam the ball past diving Pride goalkeeper Kirsten Veeren

28’ - CHANCE FOR PRIDE – Quinn’s cross finds Darcie Wilson at the back of the area but her rising shot is caught be the Fire goalkeeper Katie Offer

45’ - GOAL FOR FIRE - A penalty is awarded for a push in the area. Christmas steps up to calmly place the ball to the left of Veeren

46’ – CHANCE FOR PRIDE - Pride are awarded a penalty after Wilson is brought down by a Fire defender, however, Emma Barnes spot kick lacks punch and is batted away by Offer

52’ - CHANCE FOR FIRE - White takes a shot from the back of the area which hits the bar and rolls along the goal line before Veeren collects

62’ - CHANCE FOR PRIDE - Van Bischoffhausen latches onto a clever touch from Wilson to snake a ball through a crowded area but Offer makes the save

66’ - GOAL FOR FIRE - White’s free kick from outside the area sails over Veeren and smashes in off the underside of the crossbar

86’ - CHANCE FOR FIRE - Christmas steals the ball from a Pride defender and while her lifted shot evades Veeren, it cannons off the crossbar

What They Said

“I think the break we had – with a week off and then the bye as well – we were probably just a little bit off with our touch and a little bit underdone. I was happy at half-time and asked the girls to see if we could push to get a goal and we won a dot shot and we just didn’t convert that. On another day, we could have converted three or four chances and could’ve come away with the win. “ – Len Manwaring, Western Pride FC Women coach

“The difference between the two sides? We just played the better football – simple as that. We kept the ball well, moved the ball well and took our chances when we created them. “ – Tom White, Sunshine Coast FC Women coach

Match Details

PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues Women’s 2016 – Round 16

Sunday, July 10
Briggs Road Complex, Ipswich

Western Pride FC Women – 0
Sunshine Coast FC Women – 3 (Danielle WHITE 7’ 66’, Samara CHRISTMAS p.45’)

Match Centre – http://bit.ly/29uUFKG

Match Officials – Oliver MURPHY (referee), Madeleine RAPISARDI (assistant), Syd TURNER (assistant)