Words: Michael Flynn
Additional Reporting: Callum Dick

A second-half strike from Grace Vogler has snatched an understrength University of Queensland FC Women a shock 1-0 win over Gold Coast City Women at University of Queensland Field 7.

Vogler’s ninth goal of the season came shortly before the hour and followed a sustained period of pressure from the hosts, who were missing a number of first-team regulars, at the start of the second half.

However, the bulk of the chances were with City during the match with Jayde Lowe striking the post inside the opening quarter hour, while Jenaya Wharekawa was twice denied by the crossbar in the second stanza.

The result ends a seven match losing run for UQ, who remain in ninth position in the PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues Women’s standings.

City’s first defeat in three matches further impedes their finals aspirations – last year’s Grand Finalists now sitting 12 points adrift and facing three of the competition’s top four sides in the final five rounds.

Key Moments

12' - CHANCE FOR CITY - Jayde Lowe runs onto a loose ball at the edge of the box and cannons a shot into the right-hand post

15' - CHANCE FOR UQ - Vicky Lines is nearly gifted a goal when she's left unmarked to head an attempt across goal, but City goalkeeper Ellen Hepburn manages to tip the ball away

37' - CHANCE FOR CITY - Ena Tsuzumi sends a curling strike from 18 yards that forces UQ goalkeeper Danielle Harbot to tip over the crossbar

45' - CHANCE FOR CITY - Lowe shoots from a tight angle down the right side, but Harbot covers the angle well and collects it easily

51' - CHANCE FOR UQ - A long range attempt from Grace Vogler grazes the outside of the left-hand post

52' - CHANCE FOR UQ - Moments later Vogler is played into a mile of space, but a heavy touch forces a shot from the angle and she only manages to find the side netting

57' - GOAL FOR UQ - Vogler runs onto a ball played into the box; her first attempt is smothered by Hepburn but she follows up to tap in for the opening goal

68' - CHANCE FOR CITY - Jenaya Wharekawa notices Harbot off her line and sends a long-range shot that dips late and bounces off the top of the crossbar

87' - CHANCE FOR CITY - An opportunity to salvage a point goes begging when Chelsea Teveluwe sends a shot across goal from 10 yards

90' - CHANCE FOR CITY - No luck for Wharekawa when she rises in the box and heads into the crossbar.

What They Said

“Gold Coast are a good side. But credit to my girls – we had eight NPL players today and six from BWPL reserves, so for them to come in and step up against them for ninety minutes was outstanding. There’s momentum swings in football and for the last twenty minutes it was all Gold Coast. But we hung in really well and it went our way today.“ – Rick Coghlin, University of Queensland FC Women coach

“A problem we’ve had pretty much all season is our finishing and our chances. But we’re working on it at training and hopefully we can finish the season on our high. The goal is to keep playing our football. We’re trying to get fifth spot and maybe fourth but it depends on other results. At the moment we just need to focus on finishing 90 minutes as best as we can and hopefully next year we can move forward a bit better.“ – Jamilla Riley, Gold Coast City FC Women captain

Match Details

PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues Women’s 2016 – Round 18

Sunday, July 24
University of Queensland Field 7, Brisbane

University of Queensland FC Women – 1 (Grace VOGLER 57’)
Gold Coast City FC Women - 0

Match Centre – http://bit.ly/29XpkAK

Match Officials – Albert KRAUSE (referee), Taylah BROTHERSTON (assistant), Andrew FOSTER (assistant)