Gators Overwhelm Thunder
Words: Blake Birt
Images: Brad Rathbone
The Gap FC Women picked up where they left off in 2016, dominating SWQ Thunder Women 8-1 at AJ Kelly Park.
Gators went undefeated last season and rode that incredible momentum into this match, holding onto the ball for long stretches while creating regular openings.
Zali Eason-Coutts and Ruth Blackburn both claimed doubles as the Gators' slick passing sliced through the Thunder rearguard.
Thunder scored on the half-hour mark to briefly pull the score back to 2-1, but Gators scored their third within ten minutes and quickly pulled away.
Thunder will regroup at home next week against Sunshine Coast FC Women, while Gators head to Gold Coast City FC Women.
Key Moments
8’ - GOAL FOR GATORS - Ruth Blackburn runs powerfully at the Thunder backline before sliding a pass to Charli McLennan, who steadies and clips in a left-footed finish.
15’ - GOAL FOR GATORS - Bethany Ashton picks up the ball in space and shoots from distance, placing a perfect shot just under the crossbar.
30’ - GOAL FOR THUNDER - Louise Rolfe flicks the ball past a defender before continuing her run and converting with a crisp shot.
39’ - GOAL FOR GATORS - Talitha Doro reacts brilliantly after a scramble in the box, getting the ball out of her feet and arrowing a shot into the bottom corner.
41’ - GOAL FOR GATORS - Zali Eason-Coutts scores an absolute screamer, shrugging off a defender before blasting into the far corner.
59’ - GOAL FOR GATORS - Eason-Coutts latches onto a low McLennan cross, takes several touches and buries the chance.
63’ - GOAL FOR GATORS - Elizabeth Hollitt pulls off a wonder save but Blackburn taps home after the rebound causes chaos.
65’ - GOAL FOR GATORS - Alex Armstrong powerful shot from the edge of the area finds the net, despite Hollitt getting a hand to the ball.
86’ - GOAL FOR GATORS - Blackburn lets fly with a first-time rocket from outside the box and finds the top right corner.
Match Details
PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues Women's Queensland 2017 – Round 1
Sunday, 19 March
AJ Kelly Park
The Gap FC Women 8 (Charli MCLENNAN 8', Bethany ASHTON 15', Talitha DORO 39', Zali EASON-COUTTS 41' 59', Ruth BLACKBURN 63' 86', Alex ARMSTRONG 65')
SWQ Thunder Women 1 (Louise ROLFE 30')
Referee – Sarah PRATT
Assistant – Kryshna MARKOVICS
Assistant – Lucy JOHNSON
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