Round 10 saw the ladder leaders continue their fight for prime position, as the pack behind them snap at their heels.

By Steven Van Lierop

Sunshine Coast Wanderers | 3 - 4 | SWQ Thunder
Ballinger Park Buderim Field

SWQ Thunder earn their first spot in the winners‘ circle

Wanderers earned a strong win last week against a formidable opponent, and hoped to continue that momentum, however it would seem a strong front swept through the Sunshine Coast as bottom dwellers Thunder struck hard.

Wanderers had to fight hard against intense pressure from the Thunder’s attack, which looked strong from the offset. An early goal in the 12^th minute for Thunder’s Melanie Lloyd provided the initial strike, however Wanderers’ Natalie Russell levelled the scores after half an hour. Thunder’s Madison Franke then pounced to add a second for SWQ and ensured her side went into the break with the advantage.

Thunder came out strong in the second half with Lloyd grabbing another goal to increase the lead. As they did the week before, the Wanderers continued to fight with their second goal in 68 minutes, as the two teams went toe-to-toe. The Thunder continued to roll though, with Louise Rolfe clinching a fourth for her side just a minute later. Wanderers struck back with a third goal through Chelsea Scarff, which proved to be a consolation prize.

Thunder will gain some confidence with their first win and will look to take this into round 11 against Mudgeeraba. Wanderers will be back to the drawing board and will be out to make amends next week against Logan Lightning.

 

Lions FC | 3 - 1 | Brisbane Roar FC/NTC

Lions Stadium

Lions prove too strong for Roar to keep undefeated status

Both Lions FC and Brisbane Roar sat comfortably in the top four before this match, setting the stage for a fiery clash. Lions FC, who have the strongest defence in the league, had only conceded four goals prior to this match-up and would prove a hard nut to crack for the youthful Roar side.

The Lions came out roaring from the first whistle and grabbed an early confidence boost with a goal from Tanesha Stanley within the first three minutes. Keeping calm, the Lions controlled the game before adding a second goal just before half time. Hollie Palmer’s early second half goal for the Roar did not seem enough to muster a comeback for her team, as the Lions closed off yet another strong win with a third goal from Mikaela Disavia.

Lions remain undefeated this season with the Roar losing grip on the top four with this loss. Next round Roar will face another tough opponent in Moreton Bay. Lions FC travel to fellow undefeated team, Gap FC, in what is sure to be one of the games of the season.

 

Logan Lightning | 1 - 2 | Capalaba Bulldogs

Cornubia Park

Bulldogs win to maintain pace with top half of the league

Both teams came into this game needing a win to alter what has been a lacklustre start to their respective seasons. Logan had a point to prove with a disappointing 6-2 loss to Souths last round, whilst Capalaba were narrowly beaten by Wanderers in a tough match.

This turn-of-the-tides game set off with both teams eager to take the win. Within nine minutes, Vicky Lines clinched the first goal for the Bulldogs, but the lead didn’t last long as Logan’s in form Meg Krautz nuzzled away a quick reply on 13 minutes. Unfortunately for Logan, they conceded a second as Lines helped herself to her second goal. With a few battles here and there, the game stayed at 2-1 until the final whistle.

Logan will be disappointed in the loss, as they now sit in the bottom three. They will have to look to change it up with another battle next week against the Wanderers. The Bulldogs will also have a tough game against Gold Coast United, who will be thirsty for a win as they continue to try and catch the lead pack.

 

Eastern Suburbs FC | 2 - 4 | The Gap FC
Heath Park

Gators dominate the food chain this week against thirsty Tigers

Eastern Suburbs were looking to put a dampener on The Gap’s perfect season, as they look to catch up to the leading pack. The Tigers looked set to cause The Gap trouble as they showed their fighting spirt last round against top four Roar.

It was business as usual for The Gap, however, as goals came early in the 11th and 19th minute, courtesy of Laine Sunderland and Ruth Blackburn. However, the Tigers were not ready to lay down, as they kept fighting to grab a 25th minute goal by Priscilla Tan. A fiery Blackburn looked in the mood to score, as she tucked away her second for the night to take The Gap into the break with a 3-1 lead. It remained a good contest until the in-form Blackburn secured a hat-trick in the 73rd minute. Easts managed a second from the spot a few minutes later, but it was not enough to upset a rampant Gap, who join Lions in maintaining an undefeated season.

It will be an exciting time in round 11 with both undefeated teams, The Gap and Lions going head-to-head in a potential game of the season. The Tigers on the other hand will have pick their socks up as they travel to fellow mid-table side Western Pride who have also had their fair share of ups and downs this season.

 

Mitchelton FC | 6 - 2 | Western Pride FC
Teralba Park

Mitchelton regain winning ways

Both teams came out to prove a point in this game, with both suffering big losses last weekend. Mitchelton have managed to keep pace with the top four, while Pride needed a win to not only recover their confidence, but to maintain any chance of keeping up with the top sides.

It looked to be a one-sided affair in the first half as Mitchelton proved why they are one of the top sides, slotting in four goals from Annie Evans, Ashlee Watkins, Darcie Wilson, and Emilie Rebelo before half time. Wilson grabbed a second just before the hour mark and Fern Doyle chimed in with her share of the spoils to give Mitchelton six. In the last ten minutes Pride tried to recover and grabbed a couple of consolation goals scored by Emma Barnes and Sophie Weatherby. It was Mitchelton’s night, however, and they’ll be happy to get the win to restart their winning ways as they look to catch the league leaders.

Mitchelton will have their hands full next week, as they take on league leaders Souths United. Western Pride will hope for a win as they play host to Eastern Suburbs, with three points potentially moving them into the top half of the league.

 

Moreton Bay United | 14 - 2 | Mudgeeraba SC
Wolter Park

Moreton Bay win big to enter top four

Moreton Bay United went into this match as certain favourites as they looked to keep up their winning ways and show why they are one of the top sides. Mudgeeraba looked to keep their head above water after a big loss last round to Lions FC.

Moreton Bay came out firing on all cylinders as Ali Schaefer managed a double, with Alexandria Walker, Lauren Askin, and Linley Archard getting a goal a-piece before half-time. A miracle would have to take place for a Mudgeeraba comeback in the second half, but it wasn’t to be. Moreton Bay’s Askin grabbed a second and Jessica Gibson her first to make it 7-0 just before the hour mark. Mudgeeraba’s top striker, Sarah Skinner, managed to score on the hour, but it wasn’t enough, with Moreton Bay slotting away another seven unanswered goals. This gave Schaefer four for the game, Walker a hat trick, Gibson her second, with Jazmyn Perin and Velvet See getting one each to share in the spoils. Skinner did manage to grab Mudgeeraba and herself a second just at the death, but it was merely a consolation at that point.

Mudgeeraba will be disappointed with the loss, as their form through March had improved drastically. They will need to change it up against a newly confident Thunder, who come off a back of a strong win. Moreton Bay on the other hand will take their third win in as many weeks and aim to beat a hungry Roar to remain in the top four.

 

Gold Coast United | 0 - 3 | Souths United
Wakerley Park

Souths maintain their dominance

The Gold Coast came into this match up with confidence and with the league’s top goal scorer Meaghan McElligott in their line-up, they would be more than capable in front of goal. However, a well-drilled Souths sit supreme on top of the ladder and were odds-on favourite and the team to beat. Cue excitement and potential for an upset.

The first half seemed to be evenly contested, until a clumsy challenge by the Gold Coast gave Souths’ Billie Murphy a penalty, which she calmly slotted away to help take the lead into half time.

Murphy took confidence from her first goal to grab a second for Souths just after the break. Souths were in control and it would take a twist of fate for Gold Coast to stage a comeback. Their fate was sealed just after the hour mark, as Ayesha Norrie grabbed a third for Souths, with no reply from the Coast. With chances here and there, the score stayed the same for the rest of the game. Another win for Souths means another week as league leaders, who have two goals on hand over second placed Lions FC, and third placed The Gap FC.

Sitting on top once again, Souths will now have to come out firing every week as they are hunted by the rest of the league. Next round they host a thirsty Mitchelton, who sit just outside the top four. Gold Coast will want a win as they face Capalaba, who sit on level points and will be full of confidence after their win this round.