Words: Michael Flynn
Additional Reporting: Mel Guy & Sam Attwood
Images: Sam Attwood

An out-of-sorts The Gap FC Women were pushed all the way by Sunshine Coast FC Women before prevailing 3-2 at Kawana Sports Western Precinct.

The defending Champions suffered for last week’s bye with a disjointed performance – forced to fight back from a goal down through Ruth Blackburn, Greta Bodey and Kaitlyn Winter either side of half-time.

Samara Christmas struck a double for Fire to open her season’s tally, but it ultimately wasn’t enough for the hosts to reel in the Gators.

The win marks a second straight win to open the campaign for Gators as they rise to fourth on the table, wedged between SWQ Thunder and Olympic FC on goal difference.

Fire are still in search of their first win of the 2016 season and remain ninth in the standings.

Key Moments

2’ – CHANCE FOR GATORS – Greta Bodey hits a solid strike to force an early parried save from Fire goalkeeper Katie Offer

13’ – CHANCE FOR FIRE – Samara Christmas looks to turn in a cross from Madi Warren but the attempt is held by Gators goalkeeper Caitlin Mandruisak

23’ – CHANCE FOR FIRE – Madi Warren attempts a lobbed shot but Caitlin Mandruisak has the reach to hold the effort well above her head

31’ – GOAL FOR FIRE – Samara Christmas is felled in the box to earn a penalty and then delivers a scorching spot-kick to open accounts for the hosts

42’ – GOAL FOR GATORS – Ruth Blackburn delivers a first time strike that proves too hot to handle for Katie Offer

59’ – GOAL FOR GATORS – Greta Bodey turns a corner kick in off the upright at the far post

61’ – GOAL FOR GATORS – Kaitlyn Winter wins possession off Fire’s Jessica Bender then bears down on goal and gets the better of Katie Offer in the ensuing one-on-one

64’ – GOAL FOR FIRE – Kirsty Clifford’s flicked-on header from Jessica Bender’s cross is turned in by Samara Christmas

What They Said

“The Gap have always been an amazing side (to play) because their game is beautiful and they’re very structured. Having a great game against them today really opens up our eyes and sends a message to the other teams in the competition as well. It tells them that Sunny Coast are ready to go and ready to fight.” – Samara Christmas, Sunshine Coast FC Women

“It was a patchy performance. We had moments where we looked good. The first ten minutes of the second half we sort of switched on – it was one-all at that point and we got two quick goals. They were quality goals and I was quite pleased with that ten minutes. But bit disappointed that we dropped back into cruise control and that gave them a chance to get back into the game.“ – Rob Askey, The Gap FC Women coach

Match Details

PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues Women’s 2016 – Round 3
Sunday, March 13
Kawana Sports Western Precinct

The Gap FC Women 3 defeated Sunshine Coast FC Women 2

Sunshine Coast FC Women

Goals -Samara CHRISTMAS 35’ 64’
Yellow cards – Martha BENSTED 79’
Red cards – none

Squad – 1. Katie OFFER, 2. Isabella NEIL (4. Jessica BENDER 67’), 3. Cassandra BUHMANN, 6. Martha BENSTED, 7. Kirsty CLIFFORD, 8. Tayla GESCH, 9. Samara CHRISTMAS, 11. Tegan BUHMANN, 12. Linley ARCHARD (14. Kristy HAYWARD 86’), 13. Kirra GUY (10. Alexandria PSARROS 61’), 16. Madi WARREN

Unused – 5. Emily WALKERDEN-RIDGE

The Gap FC Women

Goals – Ruth BLACKBURN 42’, Greta BODEY 59’, Kaitlyn WINTER 61’
Yellow cards – Natalie MUELLER 67’, Ruth BLACKBURN 87’
Red cards – none

Squad – 1. Caitlin MANDRUISAK 4. Natalie MEULLER, 6. Ashleigh BUCKNELL, 7. Zali EASON-COUTTS, 8. Kaitlyn WINTER, 11. Greta BODEY, 12. Jessica DILLON (10. Bethany ASHTON 70’), 13. Megan PRICE, 14. Charli MCLENNAN, 15. Ruth BLACKBURN, 16. Catherine O’NEILL 18. Eden JONES

Unused – 9. Hayley RICCARDI, 20. Noran ABAZA

Match Officials – Amanda WIEBE (referee), Danielle POTTICARY (assistant), Laura KRAUSE (assistant)