Words: Michael Flynn
Additional Reporting: John Schiavo
Images: Albert Perez

The Gap FC Women have made the strongest statement yet in their quest for back to back Premierships with a comfortable 4-0 win over Eastern Suburbs FC Women at Heath Park.

Following an even opening to the contest Catherine O’Neill and Jessica Dillon delivered the visitors a two goal advantage at the half, before Ruth Blackburn and Megan Price rounded out the result in the second stanza to deliver Easts their first defeat of the season.

The result marks a fourth consecutive clean sheet for the Gators and moves the league-leaders seven points clear of second-placed Easts atop the PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues Women’s table.

Gators have now won all seven matches of the 2016 season – extending their record undefeated streak to a total of 22 matches since April last year.

Key Moments

7’ – CHANCE FOR EASTS – good interplay leads to Emma Pittman striking a firm effort from the edge of the box but it is matched by a solid save by Gators goalkeeper Noran Abaza down low

25’ – GOAL FOR GATORS – a probing free-kick is floating into the goalmouth by Catherine O’Neil, however Easts goalkeeper Anastasia Mavrick get the read wrong and the ball rolls into an empty net

28’ – CHANCE FOR EASTS – Yvonne Mathis is supplied on an overlapping run before whipping in a dangerous cross but Jenna McCormick fails to find the target from 10 yards

39’ – GOAL FOR GATORS – Easts captain Laura Harris goes in hard to block a strike from Greta Bodey and send the ball ballooning where Jessica Dillon outjumps Mavrick to bundle the ball into the back of the net

53’ – GOAL FOR GATORS – a pin-point cross from Zali Eason-Coutts finds Ruth Blackburn who sends a deft volleyed finish in off the upright

60’ – CHANCE FOR GATORS – a considered long pass from Blackburn finds Megan Price but her low shot is denied by Mavrick

82’ – GOAL FOR GATORS – substitute Charlotte Bohl charges into the penalty area and is pulled down by Tiffany Roberts. Megan Price steps up to drill home the resulting spot kick

86’ – CHANCE FOR GATORS - Ashleigh Bucknall crosses in for Blackburn but her first time effort is unrewarded as Mavrick makes a smart save

What They Said

“I was happy with the efforts of our girls. We obviously have a lot of work to do if at the moment that is the benchmark but that’s what training is for. The big telling factor now will be how they back up from that. They haven’t lost in a while and it’s always interesting to see how players bounce back.“ – Garrath McPherson, Eastern Suburbs FC Women coach

“We felt quite fortunate at half-time to have a two-nil lead but as we always say two-nil is the most dangerous scoreline in football. So to really hammer it home with two goals and the majority of possession in the second half really speaks volumes of the character of the team“ – Megan Price, The Gap FC Women

Match Details

PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues Women’s 2016 – Round 8

Saturday, April 30
Heath Park, Brisbane

Eastern Suburbs FC Women – 0
The Gap FC Women – 4 (Catherin O’NEILL 25’, Jessica DILLON 39’, Ruth BLACKBURN 52’, Megan PRICE 82’p)

CLICK HERE for the official Match Centre

Officials – Tegan JONES (referee), Vanessa MARTENS (assistant), Taylah BROTHERSTON (assistant)