Words: Michael Flynn
Additional Reporting & Images: Sam Attwood

Three second half goals have delivered Sunshine Coast FC Women a come-from-behind 3-1 win over Gold Coast City Women at Sunshine Coast Stadium.

City looked set to break their run of defeats when they opened accounts via Stephanie Foreman only three minutes into the match – the visitors taking advantage of Fire first-choice goalkeeper Katie Offer arriving late to the ground.

However, the hosts regrouped and responded with a dominant second-half display that saw Danielle White’s equaliser complemented by further strikes to Samara Christmas and Kirsty Clifford.

The result marks a fourth straight win for Fire, who remain sixth in the competition standings but are now only behind SWQ Thunder Women on goal difference.

City’s third straight loss means they will need at least four points from their final two fixtures to avoid finishing in the bottom half of the table.

Key Moments

3’ – GOAL FOR CITY – City cut a swathe through the Fire defence before the ball ends up with Stephanie Foreman, who slots her finish into the bottom corner from the top of the penalty area

34’ – CHANCE FOR CITY – Jayde Lowe looks to add a second for City but her strike bounces off the crossbar and is collected by Fire goalkeeper Katie Offer

53’ – GOAL FOR FIRE – Danielle White shoots just inside the penalty area and looks to be covered by City goalkeeper Ellen Hepburn, however she can’t hang on to the ball and it rolls across the goal line

61’ – CHANCE FOR CITY – Breanna Gatt attempts an audacious long range strike but Offer has it covered and makes the save

67’ – CHANCE FOR FIRE – Kirsty Clifford weaves through City defenders Kayla Miller-Gorce and Neesa Doyle before crossing into Samara Christmas ten yards out but her strike is held by Hepburn

74’ – GOAL FOR FIRE – White picks out Christmas who delivers a well-struck finish to put Fire ahead

81’ – GOAL FOR FIRE – White’s free-kick is met by Clifford at close range and the Fire player makes no mistake with the tap-in

What They Said

“Second half we were brilliant. Scored three goals, pressed their back four and pressed their midfield well. We took our opportunities and got a justified result. I’m very pleased. As a coach it’s a fantastic feeling to see the team go from one end of the scale to the other (over the season). But obviously the credit goes to the players. They have worked hard and adapted to different styles of play depending on our opposition. That’s why we’ve got six wins in our past seven games.“ – Tom White, Sunshine Coast FC Women

“It’s been a pretty long season and we started off pretty well. We have such a young team so they are all growing individually as players. Some are improving so much each and every week, so we are just looking forward to next year to get a good squad together to come back stronger.“ – Jamilla Riley, Gold Coast City FC Women captain

Match Details

PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues Women’s 2016 – Round 20

Sunday, August 7
Sunshine Coast Stadium, Sunshine Coast

Sunshine Coast FC Women – 3 (Danielle WHITE 53’, Samara CHRISTMAS 74’, Kirsty CLIFFORD 81’)
Gold Coast City FC Women – 1 (Stephanie FOREMAN 3')

Match Centre – http://bit.ly/2bbAsLB

Match Officials – Charley MOORE (referee), Amanda WIEBE (assistant), Sam TURNER (assistant)