Words: Michael Flynn
Additional Reporting: Pye Augustine
Images: Chris Simpson

Eastern Suburbs FC Women returned to winnings ways before the Finals with a comfortable 4-0 win over Western Pride Women at Briggs Road Sporting Complex.

An undermanned Pride started the match with only ten players and were on the backfoot immediately – Tegan Riding opening accounts inside five minutes before Susanne Mckeen struck a quick-fire double.

Under heavy pressure, Pride regained their composure to then hold out the visitors until the final quarter-hour when Rosie Sutton wrapped up the result.

The result breaks a two-match winless run for Easts, who remain in fourth place ahead of next week’s final round of the regular season.

For Pride, the defeat extends their winless close to the season to five games ahead of their final match against SWQ Thunder Women next week.

Key Moments

4’ – GOAL FOR EASTS - Michaela Hatzirodos releases Tegan Riding with a well-placed pass and the Easts attacker makes no mistake with the one-on-one finish, slotting the ball past Pride goalkeeper Kirsten Veeren

10’ – GOAL FOR EASTS - Easts look to switch play across the midfield in the attacking third but Susanne McKeen is given too much space and opts to shoot, converting with a well-driven strike into the top corner from outside the penalty area

17’ – CHANCE FOR EASTS - Mikaela Disavia delivers a lobbed cutback after breaking down the right flank and McKeen makes no mistake with a headed finish back across goal to notch her second

27’ – CHANCE FOR EASTS – Mckeen lines up a free-kick from the edge of the penalty area but directs the shot straight at Veeren

49’ – CHANCE FOR EASTS – Mckeen releases Hatzirodos behind the Pride lines with a pass from midfield, however Veeren wins out in the ensuing one-on-one

52’ – CHANCE FOR EASTS – Laura Harris cuts through Pride’s defences with a one-two with Harkana Dixon before striking and angled shot from the edge of the area but it is denied by the far post

66’ – CHANCE FOR EASTS – Rosie Sutton takes possession near the penalty spot and shakes the attentions of Pride’s Mariecamilla Falaniko Ah Ki to create space for a shot, however, Veeren again makes the save

72’ – CHANCE FOR EASTS – Emma Pittman draws a parried save from Veeren from the edge of the area, Sutton looks to capitalise on the follow-up but pushes her effort wide

78’ – GOAL FOR EASTS – Quinn turns the ball over under pressure and Sutton quickly pounces on the error and touches the finish past Veeren.

What They Said

“When we had our shape and stuck to our game plan we kept them out but we made a few mistakes and they got their chances.” - Callie Manwaring, Western Pride FC Women midfielder

“I was very pleased with the result. We created lots of opportunities. I guess our only downside to our performance today was our lack of composure in the final third and not taking as many of the opportunities as we probably should have. Saying that Pride were a well-organise unit. They were structurally good in the back third and their goalkeeper had a very good game.” - Garrath McPherson, Eastern Suburbs FC Women coach

Match Details

PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues Women’s 2016 – Round 21

Sunday, August 14
Briggs Road Sporting Complex, Ipswich

Western Pride FC Women – 0
Eastern Suburbs FC Women – 4 (Tegan RIDING 4’, Susanne MCKEEN 10’ 17’, Rosie SUTTON 78’)

Match Centre - http://bit.ly/2brzSwi

Match Officials – Alex Hohn (referee), Ryan Elron (assistant), Madeleine Rapisardi (assistant)