Words: Matt Tilby
Additional Reporting: Sam Attwood
Images: Sam Attwood/Sunshine Coast FC

Sunshine Coast FC Women have come back from conceding an early goal to claim their first win of season, beating fellow strugglers Western Pride Women 3-1 at Sunshine Coast Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

With both teams desperate to grab a vital three points, it was the visitors who struck first, with Sophie Lamberton’s chip on the edge of the box spilled over the line by Fire keeper Olivia Blankley to give the Pride the lead.

The Fire would hit back halfway through the first half, with Teyana Bielby’s shot landing nicely at the feet of Tegan Buhmann, whose chip over the keeper would level the sides.

Ten minutes after the restart, Bielby would find the net herself, smashing a 25 yard drive past three Pride defenders into an open net to give the Fire the advantage.

Sunshine Coast would double that advantage minutes later, with defender Kristy Hayward thumping home from close range despite the attention of three Pride defenders.

The crucial win sees the Fire – previously bottom of the league on goal difference – off the foot of the table, as they travel to UQFC looking to start a run.

Western Pride, however, take their place at the bottom and will host SWQ Thunder next weekend looking for a drastic change in fortunes.

Key Moments

2’ - GOAL FOR PRIDE – Sophie Lamberton chips the ball from the left side of the 18 yard box, and the ball is fumbled by Blankley past the goal line.

22’ – GOAL FOR FIRE – Bielby’s shot rebounds from the keeper to Tegan Buhmann, who chips over the grounded keeper.

54’ - GOAL FOR FIRE - Bielby shoots from 25 yards into an open Western Pride goal past 3 defenders.

61’ - GOAL FOR FIRE – Kristy Hayward blasts the ball past 3 defenders from 6 yards out.

62’ - CHANCE FOR FIRE – Hayward’s header goes just wide from another header from Madeline Hartwig.

76’ - CHANCE FOR PRIDE – Stephanie White takes a cross but shoots wide of the goal.

Match Details

Playstation 4 NPL Women’s Queensland Season 2017 – Round 7
Sunday, May 14
Sunshine Coast Stadium, Kawana

Sunshine Coast Fire FC Women – 3 (Buhmann 24’, Bielby 54’, Hayward 61’)
Western Pride FC Women – 1 (Lamberton 2’)

Referee – Vicky CLARK
Assistant – Missy KRAUSE
Assistant – Peter KRAUSE