Words: Michael Flynn
Additional Reporting: Rob Morris
Images: Duncan McKenna

Souths United Women are in the box seat to secure a home semi-final after a comprehensive 5-2 win over Gold Coast City Women at Runaway Bay Super Sports Centre.

Terri-Amber Carlson led the Souths assault with a goal in each half for the visitors, while Meaghan McElligott, Deeanna Thompson and Georgia Keen also chimed in with a goal apiece.

After conceding four goals in the opening stanza, City fought back with goals to Neesa Doyle and Charlotte Rayner in the final half-hour, however, it wasn’t enough to prevent the side’s third straight defeat.

The contest was marred by early injury set-back for both sides with Souths attacker Meaghan McElligott and City goalkeeper Ellen Hepburn both substituted after a heavy clash in the build-up to the opening goal.

Without a recognised substitute goalkeeper on the bench, City were forced to rely on outfielder Joy Forsyth between the posts.

Souths third straight win moves them three points clear of Olympic in the race for a second-place finish ahead of their final match of the season against lower table University of Queensland FC Women next week.

Key Moments

4’ – GOAL FOR SOUTHS – Deeanna Thompson’s cross is contested in the penalty area and results in a heavy clash between Souths’ Megan McElligott and City goalkeeper Ellen Hepburn before the ball deflects across the line. Both players sustain injuries and are substituted.

11’ - GOAL FOR SOUTHS – Terri-Amber Carlson drops back to receive the ball before shaking her marker then supplying Georgia Keen who delivers a pin-point finish from the edge of the box into the top corner

28’ – GOAL FOR SOUTHS – An under-hit pass between the City central defenders is pounced on by Carlson and she slots the finish into the bottom left from the edge of the box

37’ – GOAL FOR SOUTHS – Thompson adds her name to the scoresheet with a quality of 25 yards

50’ – GOAL FOR CITY – Neesa Doyle delivers a lob over the Souths backline to release Stephanie Foreman, whose initial shot strikes the post but falls into the path of Doyle to tap in on the follow-through

57’ – CHANCE FOR SOUTHS – Carlson lines up a shot from outside the penalty area and draws a solid save from makeshift goalkeeper Joy Forsythe

78’ – GOAL FOR SOUTHS – Carlson runs onto an inch-perfect free-kick to turn in her third with a calmly placed headed finish

80’ – GOAL FOR CITY – Souths goalkeeper is unable to hold a corner kick amidst heavy traffic allowing the ball to fall for Charlotte Rayner to poke the ball across the line from close range

What They Said

“We were a bit asleep in the first half with the goals we conceded. Once we woke up to that we started playing better football. Second half we had a different formation and started playing our football. We frustrated them and then got a few goals as well. The field is so much better than Palmy (Duncan McKenna Field). The balls runs without bobbling up at the last minute. It was a great crowd as well and they can sit all around, so was a great atmosphere overall.‘ – Jamilla Riley, Gold Coast City FC Women captain

“Gold Coast City in the second half really came at us. Obviously, they were four-nil down and didn’t have much to lose but they did put us under a lot of pressure. I thought our whole team played well again today, especially in the first half, so I was pleased with everyone’s performance. “ - Gary French, Souths United FC Women coach

Match Details

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

Sunday, August 14
Runaway Bay Super Sports Centre, Gold Coast

Gold Coast City FC Women – 2 (Neesa DOYLE 50’, Charlotte RAYNER 80’)
Souths United FC Women – 5 (Meaghan MCELLIGOTT 4’, Georgia KEEN 11’, Terri Amber CARLSON 28’ 78’, Deeanna THOMPSON 37’)

Match Centre – http://bit.ly/2b3rnGy