Words: Matt Dorman
Image: Patrick Kearney/Olympic FC

An 86^th minute penalty from Jessica McLean handed Olympic FC Women a hard-earned 1-0 win over UQFC Women at Goodwin Park on Sunday.

An inspired Dani Harbot seemed destined to secure a draw for the visitors until Olympic finally found a way past the ‘keeper.

Allira Toby, leading the line for the hosts, was lively early and had the best chance of the opening stages in the 11^th minute from Demi Robins’ low cross, but Harbot was quick off her line to smother the chance.

Harbot again proved up to the task just after the half hour with a sensational full-stretch dive to push over Nat Tathem’s goal-bound strike from distance.

The match continued to be one for the goalkeepers in the 35^th minute as Olympic shot-stopper Kirsten Veeren denied Kaitlyn Winter in a one-on-one.

Ai Matsuzaki then went close for Olympic on a couple of occasions while Toby also peppered the goal, but neither were able to break the deadlock before the break.

Normal service resumed after the restart as Harbot twice kept out Toby with low saves prior to the hour.

The heat began to take its toll on the flow of chances after that as the visitors found a stronger footing in the match.

But just as the match seemed destined for a draw, Matsuzaki was awarded a penalty and McLean stepped up to rifle home the winner.

Speaking after the match, Olympic midfielder and stand-in captain Nat Tathem praised the hosts’ attacking intent.

“We did really well creating opportunities up front. We struggled to finish but it was good to get that late goal,” Tathem said.

UQFC coach Wayne Gibbon said he could have no complaints about the result.

“If it wasn’t for Dani Harbot our goalkeeper, who had an exceptional game, Olympic could have actually won by a lot more,” Gibbon said.

Listen to the full post-match interviews below.

Olympic FC Women 1 (Jessica McLEAN p.86’)
University of Queensland FC Women 0