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

The Gap FC Women are just one win away from a second straight Premiership after cruising past Western Pride Women 5-0 at Briggs Road Complex.

Greta Bodey’s third hat-trick of the campaign did the bulk of the damage for the league-leaders, while Talitha Doro added to an own goal from Kirsten Veeren to round out the result.

The result marks a third straight match without a goal for Pride and officially ends their hopes of qualifying for the end of season finals.

Gator’s eighteenth straight win sees them retain a ten point lead atop the PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues Women’s table with just four rounds remaining.

A win against second-placed Easts will sew up the Premiership title, while a draw will guarantee the Gators a top two finish and a home Semi-Final.

Key Moments

2’ – GOAL FOR GATORS – Eden Jones flies down the left touchline and produces a perfectly weighted low cross to allow Greta Bodey a simple tap-in

19’ – CHANCE FOR GATORS - Zali Eason-Coutts squeezes a sideways ball across onrushing Pride goalkeeper Kirsten Veeren but the looming Hayley Riccardi can only crash her shot off the bottom of the crossbar

39’ – GOAL FOR GATORS - Tenacious work from Bodey in the penalty sees the ball reach Talitha Doro who calmly places a shot past Veeren

47’ – GOAL FOR GATORS - Bodey  is first to a low cross and take s a step before stabbing the ball inside the left post

60’ – CHANCE FOR GATORS - Veeren produces a smart diving save after Megan Price smashes a Pride clearance back towards goal

63’ – CHANCE FOR GATORS - A long-range shot from Eason-Coutts dips wickedly onto the bottom of the crossbar off the line and away from goal

64’ – GOAL FOR GATORS – A hanging corner kick floats in towards goal, however Veeren can’t handle it and fumbles it across her own goal line through ball to nod the ball home

What They Said

“It was pretty hot, so we struggled a little bit and found it a bit hard to move the ball quickly. At half time we spoke about what we could work on and in the second half we passed it around a bit better. We were a bit off but it’s good to have games like this and the best thing was our young players got a go because we had a few players away. They did their jobs which was pleasing to see.“ – Greta Bodey, The Gap FC Women

“It was really tough. We defended and attacked as a team but they worked their way through and got some lucky shots which cost us five-nil. We’ve been working on our defence and playing narrow and then going out to them if they get the ball. It’s definitely paying off even though we did lose. We played strong but they are the top team (in the competition).“ – Alicia Cole, Western Pride FC Women

Match Details

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

Sunday, July 24
Briggs Road Complex, Ipswich

Western Pride FC Women - 0
The Gap FC Women – 5 (Greta BODEY 2’ 47’ 78’, Talitha DORO 39’, own goal 64’)

Match Centre – http://bit.ly/2alfYU7

Match Officials – Danielle POTTICARY (referee), Jack O’NEILL (assistant), Krystina MARKOVICS (assistant)