Words: Josh Davies
Additional Reporting: Michael Flynn

Souths United has overcome Gold Coast City 2-0 in the first fixture of the season at Sid Bigg Park in Mudgeeraba on Sunday afternoon.

Souths kept their third clean sheet in succession to continue a string of impressive performances that have firmed their prospects as legitimate premiership challengers on the back of their recent form.

Player of the match, Eloise Fryer, broke the deadlock from a corner in the first half, soaring high above the pack at the back post to steer Souths to a one goal advantage.

Souths continued to test the Gold Coast defence with a plethora of opportunities but were unable to increase the leading margin for all but the final minutes of the match.

A late defensive lapse from City defender Georgia Elliston proved to be the final nail in the coffin as Souths substitute Candice Parziani successfully tucked away a strike into the left corner to solidify the Souths victory.

The loss for Gold Coast is a huge dent in their fleeting hopes of staging a late surge into the top four on the ladder, with nothing better than maximum points from their remaining fixtures and a string of results in their fortune becoming the only viable path left for possible finals football.

Gold Coast encounter another in-form side in the shape of Peninsula Power in Round 16 with Souths United heading home to Wakerley Park to play Eastern Suburbs Women in another crucial fixture for both clubs. 

Key Moments

6’ – CHANCE FOR SOUTHS – Deeanna Thompson looks to open the scoring from 20 yards and beats the outstretched Ellen Hepburn but is denied by the upright.

7’ – CHANCE FOR SOUTHS – Elise Franco pulls the trigger but the ball can only find the base of the far post before being scooped up by Hepburn.

29’ – CHANCE FOR SOUTHS – Thompson shakes a defender before looking to shoot but sends the shot high and wide. 

33’ – GOAL FOR SOUTHS – Eloise Fryer rises high at the back post to meet a corner and steers the header past Hepburn to give Souths the lead.

36’ – CHANCE FOR SOUTHS – Loose ball in the box falls kindly for Kirsten McGilvray but she wastes the opportunity as her shot soars over the goal from close range.

55’ – CHANCE FOR SOUTHS – Long ball over the City backline releases Thompson but she gets the finish all wrong on the angle and it’s well wide of the near post.

67’ – CHANCE FOR SOUTHS – Franco makes a run through a disorganised City defence but despite little pressure the shot goes well over the crossbar.

68’ – CHANCE FOR SOUTHS – Thompson bombs down the left and crosses into Kiri Dale at the near post but her first-time effort is high and wide.

72’ – CHANCE FOR SOUTHS – Dale receives a pass inside the penalty area but her low shot is parried to safety by Hepburn.

84’ – CHANCE FOR SOUTHS – Franco lines up a shot from long range that looks to be dipping just under the bar until Hepburn gets a glove to it.

90+2’ – GOAL FOR SOUTHS – Georgia Elliston turns over possession deep in her own third and Candice Parziani makes no mistake with the finish to seal the win.

Match Details

PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues Women Queensland – Round 15
Sunday, July 23
Sid Bigg Park, Mudgeeraba

Gold Coast City FC Women 0
Souths United FC Women 2 (Eloise FRYER 33’, Candice Parziani 90+2’)

Referee: Lucinda ROBERTSON
Assistant Referee: Krystina MARKOVICS
Assistant Referee: James RAFFERTY