Words: Michael Flynn
Additional Reporting & Images: Sam Attwood

SWQ Thunder Women’s hopes of a top four finish have taken a blow after being upset by Sunshine Coast FC Women 3-1 at Sunshine Coast Stadium.

Two goals shortly after the hour from Danielle White and Tegan Buhmann proved decisive for Fire after the side’s earlier exchanged penalties either side of half-time – Samara Christmas opening accounts for Fire before Abbey Lloyd pulled a goal back for the visitors.

The result marks a second win in three outings for the Fire as they seek to finish in the top half of the table following a slow start to the campaign.

Meanwhile, Thunder remain fifth in the standings - eight points adrift of fourth-place with only four matches remaining in the campaign.

Key Moments

1’ – CHANCE FOR FIRE – Kirsty Clifford cuts back smartly to Samara Christmas who sees her shot towards the bottom left corner saved by Thunder goalkeeper Katlin Peterson

14’ – CHANCE FOR FIRE – Kirra Guy lines up a shot from the edge of the penalty area but sends it over the crossbar

38’ – GOAL FOR FIRE – A Thunder defender handballs in the box allowing Samara Christmas to open accounts from the ensuing penalty

60’ – GOAL FOR THUNDER – Tayla Gesch concedes a penalty with an ill-timed challenge on Sarah Sheridan, allowing Abbey Lloyd to put the ball away from the subsequent spot kick

66’ – GOAL FOR FIRE – Danielle White restores the hosts’ lead by sending a corner kick directly into the top corner of the far post

68’ – GOAL FOR FIRE – Another White corner delivers reward as Tegan Buhmann heads the ball across the line from point blank range

What They Said

“We’ve gotten better over the season and the top six is on for us now. We defended well last week but we defended brilliantly today, hence why (Thunder) didn’t have any real shots at goal. But I was just pleased with the whole performance – our passing, our moving, we made the pitch look big and it was a much better pitch than last week which made a nice change.“ – Tom White, Sunshine Coast FC Women coach

“We knew it was going to be tough and it’s a long way to come (from Toowoomba). We had seven regular starters that couldn’t play so we had to dig deep with some Under 16 shadows and we had goalkeepers playing on the field, so it was always going to be tough. But at the end of the day they wanted it more than we did and that’s the way it goes.“ – Anthony Bigby, SWQ Thunder FC Women coach

Match Details

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

Sunday, July 24
Sunshine Coast Stadium, Sunshine Coast

Sunshine Coast FC Women – 3 (Samara CHRISTMAS p.38’, Danielle WHITE 66’, Tegan BUHMANN 69’)
SWQ Thunder FC Women – 1 (Abbey LLOYD p.60’)

Match Centre – http://bit.ly/2a9GHlm

Match Officials – Jacob BROWN (referee), Will WILLSON (assistant), Tarran RICHARDS (assistant)