Words: Michael Flynn
Additional Reporting: John Schiavo
Images: Albert Perez

Eastern Suburbs Women have surged to second on the table after shutting out a ten woman Souths United Women 3-0 at Heath Park.

Considered two of the competition’s premier sides, the contest was abruptly altered only eight minutes in when key Souths defender Eloise Fryer was shown a red card, allowing Susanne McKeen to open accounts from the penalty spot.

From thereon Easts increasingly made their numerical advantage count as Emma Pittman doubled the hosts advantage prior to the half-hour before Anna Webby wrapped up the win early in the second half.

The result marks the second time Easts have held Souths scoreless this season after the sides’ scoreless draw in April.

Easts’ eighth straight win also sees them become just the second club to defeat Souths this season.

They now leapfrog Souths on PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues Women’s table – with a home Semi-Final on offer for the competition’s top two regular season finishers.

Key Moments

8’ – RED CARD FOR SOUTHS – Kate Griffith is put through on the goal but is impeded in a one-on-one tussle with Eloise Fryer resulting in a penalty and a straight red card for the Souths defender

8’ – GOAL FOR EASTS – Susanne McKeen converts with the subsequent penalty kick to open accounts

16’ – CHANCE FOR SOUTHS – Terri-Amber Carlson delivers a purposeful run from midfield that results in a firmly struck effort from the edge of the penalty area that goes just wide of the post

25’ -GOAL FOR EASTS – Tegan Riding’s initial shot is pushed on to crossbar by Souths goalkeeper Bianca Warrener, however the deflection is collected by Griffith, who tees up Emma Pittman to tuck the ball home

35’ – CHANCE FOR EASTS – Michaela Hatzirodos makes a late run in to the box to meet a cross from Pittman, but her looping header can’t find the target

47’ – CHANCE FOR EASTS – Tiffany Roberts finds Griffith in space just inside the Souths half and she makes a bee-line to the near post but her shot is denied by Warrener

51’ – GOAL FOR EASTS – Anna Webby wins possession then plays a clever one-two with Riding before finishing what she started with a low, left-footed finish

75’ – CHANCE FOR EASTS – An inch-perfect through-ball from Riding is met by the surging Pittman, but her shot is directed straight at the on-rushing Warrener

What They Said

“We went in to the game with a game plan and obviously we had to change that after eight minutes. The adaptability was great and I think the girls really put it to a strong team. “ – Tiffany Roberts, Eastern Suburbs FC Women defender

“Obviously having a player sent off after five minutes, it was always going to be an uphill struggle after that. We had to organise ourselves after losing Ellie but the girls knew what their roles were after that. The thing I was pleased with was that we were still creating chances even with ten players.“ – Gary French, Souths United FC Women coach

Match Details

PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues Women’s 2016 – Round 18

Saturday, July 23
Heath Park, Brisbane

Eastern Suburbs FC Women – 3 (Susanne MCKEEN p.8’, Emma PITTMAN 25’, Anna WEBBY 51’)
Souths United FC Women – 0

Match Centre – http://bit.ly/2ahDqjt

Match Officials – Mohammad ALIDOUR (referee), Glen BELL (assistant), Charles NWEKE (assistant)