Words: Callum Dick
Images: Chris Simpson

A clinical SWQ Thunder are still in the hunt for a top four finish after running out 4-1 victors over University of Queensland FC Women.

Missing key players and playing with just one substitute, the depth of the Thunder line-up was on display as the visitors were never truly challenged by a wasteful UQFC side.

Melanie Lloyd bagged a brace whilst Jordan Franke and Sarah Sheridan also added their names to the scoresheet; Sheridan’s late goal from long-range snuffing out any chance of a UQ fightback after Grace Vogler managed to pull one back for the home side.

The result sees Thunder retain their four-point buffer in fifth, whilst UQ now sit alone on 10 points following Sunshine Coast Fire FC Women’s 3-0 victory earlier in the round.

Key Moments

19’ – GOAL FOR THUNDER – Jessica Fry plays Melanie Lloyd in on goal, and the Thunder striker curls a ball around UQFC goalkeeper Danielle Harbot to open accounts.

27’ – CHANCE FOR THUNDER – Stephanie White’s trip allows Sarah Sheridan a chance on goal, but only manages to blaze wide of the mark

42’ – CHANCE FOR UQFC – A quick corner allows Chelsea Vincent to poke a shot toward goal, but Thunder goalkeeper Lucinda Jensen is up to task and pushes it wide

50’ – CHANCE FOR UQFC – A swirling free kick from Grace Vogler gives Jensen pause on her goal line, but the Thunder shot stopper manages to clear

57’ – CHANCE FOR THUNDER – Sheridan forces a diving save from Harbot with an unexpected attempt from 25 yards

60’ – CHANCE FOR THUNDER – Fry is playing into space by a Sheridan long ball; Fry’s heavy touch forces an early shot and the ball flies high of the posts.

63’ – GOAL FOR THUNDER – Jordan Franke curls a free kick past a diving Harbot to extend the advantage for Thunder

67’ – CHANCE FOR UQFC – Vogler is unable to take advantage of Jensen’s crucial slip, miscuing on the kick and allowing a Thunder defender to clear off the goal line

79’ – GOAL FOR THUNDER – A calamity of errors for the hosts, with Harbot caught off her line and a defender slipping to allow Melanie Lloyd an easy chip for her brace

80’ – GOAL FOR UQFC – Vogler’s curling strike from 20 yards beats the outstretched Jensen to earn consolation for the hosts

86’ – GOAL FOR THUNDER – Sheridan secures the win and adds her name to the scoresheet, outpacing a defender and converting from the edge of the box

What They Said

“It was actually one of our better performances – to lose 4-1 and still feel we played really well is tough to take. They probably had four chances and took four chances, and we couldn’t score for the life of us.” - Rick Coughlan, University of Queensland FC Women coach

“We knew coming down here we couldn’t be complacent (about getting a win). We knew we were in for a tough one missing a few key players tonight through illness and injury, and I thought the girls really dug deep.” - Anthony Bigby, SWQ Thunder FC Women coach

Match Details

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

Sunday, July 10
University of Queensland Field 7, Brisbane

University of Queensland FC Women – 1 (Grace VOGLER 80’)
SWQ Thunder FC Women – 4 (Melanie LLOYD 19’ 79’, Jordan FRANKE 63’, Sarah SHERIDAN 86’)

Match Centre – http://bit.ly/29AbMgW