Words: Michael Flynn
Additional Reporting: Dee Garnsworthy
Images: Chris Simpson

The Gap FC Women have taken another step towards back-to-back titles after defeating top four contenders Olympic FC Women 3-1 at Walton Bridge Reserve.

The Gators dominated the contest storming to a three goal lead inside the hour as Ruth Blackburn’s opener was complemented by goals either side of half-time to Megan Price.

Olympic threatened a comeback when Rebekah Horsey pulled a goal back with thirty minutes remaining, however couldn’t again breach the Gators league-leading defence.

The result marks a fifteenth straight win for the undefeated Gators this season and maintains their eight point advantage atop the PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues Women’s table.

Olympic’s second straight defeat sees them retain their hold on fourth place as they seek a maiden finals appearance.

Key Moments

5’ – CHANCE FOR OLYMPIC – Jazmyn Perin surges onto a through ball for a shot straight into Gators goalkeeper Noran Abaza’s hands

20’ - CHANCE FOR GATORS – Greta Bodey connects with a header off a penetrating pass from Kaitlyn Winter but it goes wide of the target

21’ - GOAL FOR GATORS – Ruth Blackburn latches onto a clever touch from Megan Price to smash home the opener

24’ - CHANCE FOR GATORS – Zali Eason-Coutts channels straight up the wing to Winter, who crosses to Bodey for a shot at goal but she can’t put it away

34’ - GOAL FOR GATORS – Ruth Blackburn is felled in the box right in front of the goal by two Olympic defenders, allowing Megan Price to convert from the subsequent spot kick

52’ - GOAL FOR GATORS – Price launches a high ball in front of the goal off a slick tap from Winter to further extend the hosts advantage

56’ - CHANCE FOR GATORS – Blackburn delivers a powerful penetrating kick right up the middle of the pitch to be picked up by Bodey, who clears it over the cross bar

60’ - CHANCE FOR OLYMPIC – a surge up the right wing by Perrin connects with Kirsten Jamieson but her driven shot is tipped out by a full-stretched Abaza

61’ - GOAL TO OLYMPIC – Rebecca Horsey delivers a perfectly angled corner straight into the back of the net, beyond the reach of Abaza.

65’ - CHANCE FOR OLYMPIC – Natalie Tathem clips a high ball just over the cross bar

What They Said

“The first half was excellent. We created a lot of chances and could’ve been four-nil up at half-time. We talked about the second half and how important the first fifteen minutes were and how we wanted to score and keep them out and we did that. But then we fell away and we were disappointing in the second half. I thought we faded, and speaking to the girls they thought they faded, and that’s a concern.” – Rob Askew, The Gap FC Women coach

“The result is disappointing – we came wanting the three points. Performance-wise we weren’t happy with it because there’s another gear we can go to. In saying that, there were patches that were good. Especially in attack there were some nice patches that show how good we can be but all-in-all we didn’t deliver that effectively over 90 minutes.“ – Elizabeth Doherty, Olympic FC Women player

Match Details

PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues Women’s 2016 – Round 17

Sunday, July 17
Walton Bridge Reserve, Brisbane

The Gap FC Women – 3 (Ruth BLACKBURN 21’, Megan PRICE p.34’ 52’)
Olympic FC Women – 1 (Rebekah HORSEY 61’)

Match Centre – http://bit.ly/29SiOxO