Words: Matt Tilby
Additional Reporting: Meshelle Ryan
Images: David Wadsworth

A superb hat-trick from Tegan Riding has helped Eastern Suburbs Women claim an emphatic 4-0 win over UQFC Women at Lions Stadium on Saturday evening.

With both sides jostling for a place in the top four, the chances came thick and fast early on, with Emma Gibbon and Danielle Harbot standing tall in their respective goals to deny early opportunities from both teams.

Just before the half hour mark, however, it would be the Golden Boot leader Riding who would break the deadlock for Easts, with her superb solo effort finding a way past the keeper and in the back of the net.

Riding would double the tally for herself and Easts almost immediately afterwards, racing through on goal and slotting the ball home after receiving a great through pass from Whitney Howson.

UQFC would look to respond, with Emma Gibbon responding well to deny Lorena Maggio from outside the box, but on the stroke of half time Easts all but sealed the result, with Eloise Wadsworth collecting Riding’s pass to slot home for their third.

Riding would collect her hat-trick just after the interval with a neat finish to gift Easts their fourth and a comprehensive victory to keep themselves in the top four.

A disappointed UQ will travel to The Gap next week looking to keep in the hunt for the top four, while Easts entertain fourth place side Souths United with just goal difference separating them and ladder leaders Peninsula Power.

Key Moments

3’ - CHANCE FOR UCFC – A driving run from Hecher on left wing into the penalty box, but her shot travels across the face of goal.

4’ - CHANCE FOR UQFC – Maggio blocks a defensive clearance and calls on Gibbon to pounce on lose 50/50 ball in front of goal.

5’ - CHANCE FOR EASTS – Riding penetrates into the penalty box but her goal-bound ball is blocked by Harbot. Easts get a second opportunity but Dixon’s shot launches over the cross bar.

17’ - CHANCE FOR EASTS – Dixon delivers a through ball to Gibson who shakes off the defenders with ease, but her shot is directed at Harbot.

26’ - GOAL FOR EASTS – Quick through ball from Howson on the counter meets a well-timed run by Riding, who threads the ball under the body of a diving Harbot.

29’ - GOAL FOR EASTS – Gibbon’s through ball again finds a well-timed run by Riding, as she strikes a lethal near post shot past Harbot.

31’ - CHANCE FOR UQFC – A long range shot from Maggio calls on a diving save from Gibbon.

36’ - CHANCE FOR UQFC – Maggio and Disavia combine in front of goal but with pressure from Easts defence DiSavia’s shot goes wide of the upright.

44’ - GOAL FOR EASTS – Riding’s unchallenged run down the right wing delivers a cross to Wadsworth, whose left foot shot finds the net.

50’ - CHANCE FOR UQFC – Through ball from Disavia meets the run of Maggio whose shot rebounds off Gibbon, but she safely gathers the ball.

51’ - GOAL FOR EASTS - Riding gets her hat-trick as she neatly shoots the ball under the outstretched arms of Harbot.

60’ - CHANCE FOR UQFC – Harch driving run breaks away from Easts defenders but her shot rebounds off the outstretched arms of Gibbon.

68’ - CHANCE FOR UQFC – Horsey splits the central defenders and finds Harch in front of the goal, but her cheeky chip attempt clears the outstretched arms of Gibbon and the cross bar.

77’ - CHANCE FOR EASTS – A long range shot from Riding bounces off Harbot. Wadsworth’s rebound attempt blocked by the UQFC defence.

Match Details

Playstation 4 NPL Women’s Queensland Season 2017 – Round 6
Saturday, May 6
Lions Stadium, Richlands

UQFC Women – 0
Eastern Suburbs FC Women – 4 (Riding 27’ 29’ 51’, Wadsworth 45’)

Referee – Lucinda ROBERTSON
Assistant – Stephen FORSTER
Assistant – Caitlin TROY