Words: Michael Flynn
Additional Reporting & Images: Sam Attwood

Eastern Suburbs FC Women are inching closer to securing a top four finish after dispatching Sunshine Coast FC Women 2-0 at Kawana Sports Western Precinct.

The visitors struck a goal in each half to wrap up the workmanlike win – Tiffany Roberts’ early opener complemented by a strike in the final quarter hour from Tegan Riding.

The result not only marks a seventh consecutive win for the Brisbane club but also a seventh straight clean sheet – and the second time they have shut-out Fire this season.

For Fire the defeat marks the end of a two match winning streak but sees them remain in eighth place on the table.

Key Moments

6’ – GOAL FOR EASTS – The Fire defence clears from a cross but it is collected by Tiffany Roberts outside the penalty area before she picks her spot and delivers a stunning strike from 30 yards out to best a full-stretched Fire goalkeeper Katie Offer

26’ – CHANCE FOR FIRE – Samara Christmas sees an initial effort out wide blocked but pounces on the second chance only to send the follow-up into the side netting

29’ – CHANCE FOR EASTS – Susanne McKeen lines up a free-kick on the edge of the penalty area but can only direct it straight at Offer

33’ – CHANCE FOR FIRE – Danielle White lines up a free-kick 20 yards but it curls wide of the post

54’ – CHANCE FOR EASTS – Laura Harris is next to look to deliver from a set-piece but her free-kick fizzes wide of the target

75’ – GOAL FOR EASTS – Jessica Gibson cross picks out the feet of a surging Tegan Riding, who takes a touch before burying the finish past Offer

What They Said

“The performance was really good so it just comes down to the goals. It isn’t pretty football that we played and was a very defensive set-up. But football isn’t just about keeping possession and pass-and-move – sometimes you have to dig in and defend in numbers and keep them out. We’ve done that and I’m very proud of our defensive display.“ – Tom White, Sunshine Coast FC Women coach

“We’re getting stronger and stronger with every game. We’ve had some players leave our team and we’ve had some new players come in. It’s really pleasing to see the new players coming in stepping up and performing. We’re a better team now than we were at the start of the year and I guess that’s all you can ask for.“ – Garrath McPherson, Eastern Suburbs FC Women coach

Match Details

PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues Women’s 2016 – Round 17

Sunday, July 17
Kawana Sports Western Precinct, Sunshine Coast

Sunshine Coast FC Women – 0
Eastern Suburbs FC Women – 2 (Tiffany ROBERTS 6’, Tegan RIDING 75’)

Match Centre - http://bit.ly/29LXfRW