Three weeks into the competition and we have our first real upset, and a fascinating set of results.  Plenty of goals were scored with four the minimum per game.

By Darren Lutton

Moreton Bay | 4 – 2 | Logan Lightning
Wolter Park

Jets outplay Lightning

Friday night saw Logan Lightning give Moreton Bay an early scare by going ahead.

Moreton Bay United made it two wins from three senior women's games with a hard-fought victory over Logan at Wolter Park on Friday night.

It needed two goals in the last nine minutes to finally separate the sides. Jazmyn Perin struck in the 81st minute, collecting a pinpoint through ball from Brie Bond and scoring from 10 yards.

Defender Kristi New settled Jets' nerves in the 90th minute firing a 20-yard free kick over the wall and Logan keeper Keeley Richards.It was a free kick which led to Logan's opening goal in the 19th minute when the unmarked Emily Dunn swept home from six yards.

Captain Lauren Askin equalised nine minutes later from the penalty spot after Jemima Head was brought down. Askin also put in a deep, swinging cross to the far post for Velvet See to head in on the stroke of half-time.Charlotte Taylor pulled Logan level in the 66th minute but it was Moreton Bay United who finished stronger and collected the points.

Still no points for Logan while Moreton Bay are showing early promise.  They'll get a boost with the addition of Ali Schaefer to the squad.  Ali was a part of the Peninsula Power side that dominated the competition last year.

 

SWQ Thunder | 1 – 5 | Capalaba Bulldogs
Gatton Football Club

Bulldogs run over SWQ

Saturday, and the SWQ Thunder hosted Capalaba Bulldogs at Gatton.  Despite losing Lyndal Unwin to a red card in the first half, a rampant Bulldogs notched up their first win of the season with a 5-1 victory.  They'll be buoyed by that result.

However, the reverse can be said for the Thunder.  This is the type of game they'd be expecting to win so to come away empty handed after three rounds is a real hammer blow.

Key moments:

2' - CHANCE BULLDOGS - FINNERAN with just the keeper to beat at the right corner of the 6 yard box but HOLLITT gets legs to it and stops it

4' - CHANCE THUNDER - Lloyd chips and finds ROLFE on the run but puts it wide of the post.

5' - GOAL BULLDOGS - HOLLITT manages to make a good save from a BULLDOGS  attack down the right but the ball rebounds to attackers and is slotted in by LINES.

12' - CHANCE THUNDER - LLOYD running down the centre against the BULLDOGS defence, pushed to the right and can't cross it in before it goes over the BULLDOGS goal line.

17' - GOAL BULLDOGS - Ball comes to THOMPSON at the edge of the right in front she shoots over HOLLITT to score.

22' - CHANCE THUNDER - From the right with a tight angle LLOYD hits the post for a goal kick.

23' - RED CARD BULLDOGS - UNWIN gets a red and very unwilling to leave the field but eventually does.

35' - SUB BULLDOGS - #12 CARDWELL substituted by #4 MCDOWELL

40' - CHANCE THUNDER - Long range shot from SHERIDAN sees the ball go over the crossbar.

47' - CHANCE THUNDER - LLOYD running down the left cuts back and shoots but shot is blocked by the KEEPER who falls on the ball

50' - GOAL BULLDOGS - THOMPSON with a through ball to LATHAM who is running down the left, beats the Thunder defense and slots it past HOLLITT.

57' - SUB BULLDOGS - #3 MCLEAN substituted by #9 FINNERAN

61' - CHANCE BULLDOGS - Long out ball finds MCDOWELL on the run but JACKSON desperately hunts her down and forces her to shoot wide of the THUNDER goal

64' - GOAL BULLDOGS - Long range shot from MCLEAN from around 30 yards beats an outstretched HOLLITT to find the back of the THUNDER net.

69' - CHANCE THUNDER - Ball down the centre forces a race between LLOYD and the BULLDOGS KEEPER but BYRIEL wins the race to the ball.

70' - GOAL THUNDER - ROLFE running down the left out runs the defense and shoot from 15 yards out to beat the BYRIEL and put THUNDER on the board.

80' - YELLOW CARDS THUNDER and BULLDOGS - SHERIDAN and LINES both receive YELLOW Cards for a clash on the edge of the BULLDOGS 18 yard box.

81' - GOAL BULLDOGS - MCLEAN chasing a thorough ball gets to it before an advancing HOLLITT. MCLEAN puts it past the THUNDER Keeper to take the BULLDOGS to a 5-1 lead.

85' - CHANCE THUNDER - LLOYD heads it on and with just the Bulldogs keeper to beat but hits the post, the ball dribbles along the goal line where the Bulldogs Keeper falls on it.

 

Lions FC | 3 – 2 | Gold Coast United
Lions Stadium

Gold Coast fall to Lions

Our livestream match was between Lions FC and Gold Coast United.  Lions were keeping the visitors comfortably at bay for 80 minutes.  Then, United turned on the tap and began a valiant fightback.  This is the second time now they've conceded early and fought back to lose by a sole goal.  The big worry for the Coast was injuries to keeper Meghan Kealy-Hawkins (shoulder) and Deeanna Thompson (ankle).

Despite the comeback, Lions showed that they are a quality side that are the real deal and will be very difficult to displace from the top of the table.

Key moments:

3'  Chance - Lions - long range shot Chapman.

10'  GOAL - Lions 1-0.  GCU's Fryer with poor goal kick which Di Savia picks up and plays to Harch who guides ball inside post.

22' Chance - Lions. Riding cuts in and curls shot just wide of far post.

26' Chance - GCU.  Utd 9 with 1 on 1 chance that Lions keeper does well to come out and block.

30' Chance - Lions.  Chapman with another chance that keeper gathers.

33' Penalty - Lions. Hecher plays free kick that keeper touches on to bar but in trying to clear, a Utd defender handles.  Utd keeper receives treatment for injury.

36' GOAL - Lions 2-0.  Morton coverts spot kick.

41' Injury - GCU. Thompson helped from field after an injury challenging for ball.

45+3' Chance - GCU.  Brown with a free kick 25 out that hits post.

51' GOAL - Lions 3-0. Di Savia crosses ball across box and Hogg drives ball across keeper into bottom left corner.

71' Chance - Lions. Schiavo to Riding who should have done better with keeper to beat but Utd keeper gathers low.

85' GOAL - GCU 3-1.  McElligot with a solo effort, beating a number of defenders and firing into far corner.

88' GOAL - GCU 3-2. McElligot strikes again from edge of box firing high over Lions keeper.

FT Lions 3-2 GCU.

 

The Gap | 5 – 0 | Sunshine Coast Wanderers
Walton Bridge Reserve

Wanderers fall into the gap

For the third game in a row, the Sunshine Coast Wanderers have been unable to score.  This is strange considering the attacking talent they have up front.  This week it was The Gap that kept a clean sheet with a 5-0 victory.  Greta Bodey made a welcome comeback to the league helping herself to a haul.

It has been a tough introduction to the NPLW for the Sunshine Coast Wanderers who have yet to score as they get used to higher level of competition.

But a few chances from range may give the Wanderers hope as they move forward to next week’s clash with Eastern Suburbs at home.

Meanwhile, The Gap will be looking for revenge in a grand final rematch with Western Pride.

Key moments:

8’ GOAL FOR GAP – A quick pass is flicked nicely on to Tiarne Petterwood who slots it into the bottom right-hand corner.
18’ GOAL FOR GAP – A firm pass through to Greta Bodey who deflects more than strikes it into the bottom right-hand corner.
19’ SAVE BY SUNSHINE COAST – A great run by the Gap means there is only the ‘keeper to beat and Celeste Peterson is up to the task. She comes off her line to make a great save.
23’ GOAL FOR GAP – A long ball means the race is on and it is Sunshine Coast who gets there first but Zali Eason-Coutts has not given up and forces a turn-over. She passes to Greta Bodey who scores her second for the night.
44’ SHOT BY SUNSHINE COAST – Samara Christmas gets the ball 30 maybe 35 metres from goal and launches the long shot but it flashes a metre over the bar.

HALF TIME: Gap 3 - Sunshine Coast 0

60’ CELESTE PETERSON POTENTIAL INJURY – The Sunshine Coast ‘keeper bobbled the ball and dives on it but appears she has hurt herself. A Gap player was going for the ball but from this angle did not appear to make contact. Peterson finishes the match but does look to be affected.
65’ GOAL FOR GAP – Corner to the Gap and the cross goes over the top of the ‘keeper and the players fight for it and Greta Bodey manages to score amongst the congestion. That is her hattrick.
71’ SAVE BY GAP – Gap ‘keeper Noran Abaza has a small brain fade and is force to quickly clear the ball. Sunshine Coast go the long shot but Abaza cleans-up her mess with a fantastic save.
82’ GOAL FOR GAP – Greta Bodey has the ball on the left-hand side of the box and shoots across the ‘keeper for her fourth. The Gap had been pressing for a while now and something had to give.
86’ SHOT BY GAP – And the subs combine for the Gap. Charli McIennan sets up a chance with a nice bit of play, passing to Kaitlyn Winter but Winter’s shot is pulled left.
FULL TIME: Gap 5 - Sunshine Coast 0

 

[caption id="attachment_3865" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 17: Laura Dunne of Mitchelton (left) and Angela Maher of Eastern Suburbs compete for the ball during the round three NPL Women's match between Eastern Suburbs and Mitchelton at Heath Park on February 17, 2018 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Albert Perez/Eastern Suburbs)[/caption]

Eastern Suburbs | 3 – 1 | Mitchelton
Heath Park

Tigers take down Mitchelton

The big result on Saturday night was at Heath Park.  Eastern Suburbs fought tooth and nail to gain a 3-1 victory over Mitchelton.  An early goal set the tone for the game as Mitchelton struggled to overcome a tenacious Tiger side.

This is a massive result for Easts and one that will give them a lot of confidence.  For Mitchie, they need to set aside any lingering disappointment as they prepare to host Lions this weekend.

Key moments:

Very warm and humid 26.3 degrees with the late 7 pm kick off.
Good size crowd at easts to watch the first Women’s NPL game on the new Heath park resurfaced field.

10 min GOAL EASTS:after a even battle with strong physical challenges in midfield a defensive error presented Georgian Amos with the ball inside the 18 yard box, she calmly stepped around the keeper and passed into an empty net.
12 min , Easts corner finds Dixon Who heads the ball inches wide of the post.
15 min : Holzworth shouts from out side the box and calls on a finger tip save from the Mitchy keeper.
16 min : McKeen hits the crossbar from distance with a strong shot . Easts on top .
20 min: Mitchy press and strong shot calls on Easts keeper to make a save..
24 min : Emile Rebelo try’s her luck from distance and strong shot off target, Mitchy starting to dominate.
26min deflected shot finds McKeen 1 on 1 with Mitchy keeper. She try’s a delicate chip but it lands a few meters wide.
28 min : shot again from Rebelo saved by Duffy and the rebound falls to Coyne she shoots straight at the keeper.
32 min . GOAL Easts: a bit of magic from Holzworth to attack from the left wing she rounds the defender then also around the rushing keeper to score
33 min GOAL MITCHELTON : Fast counter attack finds Katie McDonald who fires and beats Duffy on her near post
Easts 2 Mitchy 1
40 min : through ball from Amos finds Priscilla Tan 1 on 1 again with the rushing keeper . Tan can’t control the ball and a goal kick results.
45: min yellow card to Mitchy Ash Watkins for dissent.
53 min Shot from Mitchy
54 min header over the bar from Mitchy
57 min GOAL EASTS. Amos breaks the line and fends of a strong challenge to chip the keeper to score.
88 min yellow card to Anika COYNE for dissent after strong challenge on Amy Moore results in a free kick for easts just outside the penalty box. The resulting free kick flys over the crossbar.
90 min Easts finish strong with shots from Dixon and mckeen  very close to increasing the goal difference.
FT easts 3 Mitchy 1

 

Mudgeeraba | 0 – 4 | Souths United
Sid Bigg Park

Wallabies take heart against Souths

Normally a 4-0 loss is considered a bit of a thrashing.  However, Mudgeeraba will be able to hold their heads high as they have improved to this scoreline against the well credentialled Souths United.

Souths did rotate their squad a little and gave game time to some squad players, but this is a real sign of development for the Wallabies and is evidence that they are growing into this competition.

 

Key moments:

38 min - #16 Souths, Teani Karalouka scored
41 min - penalty given to Souths just outside the 18 yard box. Shot went over.
55 min - Souths player #13 Tayler Stevens received a yellow card for an elbow to the throat of a Mudgeeraba player (Sarah Skinner)
60 min - #7 Souths, Teonie Rushton scored
64 min - #16 Mudgeeraba Jemima Lockley had a breakaway and missed the shot just over the crossbar.
67 min - #9 Ella Goodman (Souths) scored a header from a corner
70 min - #8 Shelby White (Mudgeeraba) takes a solid shot from outside the 18 yard box and just missed on the side.
79 min - #6 Billie Murphy (Souths) scored off a corner kick.
93 min - #1 Melissa Horwood (Mudgeeraba) great save in a 1-on-1

 

Brisbane Roar NTC | 4 – 1 | Western Pride FC
Briggs Road Sporting Complex

Roar hit four against Pride

Monday night saw the re-scheduled match between the Roar NTC and Western Pride.  The Roar showed that their narrow loss to The Gap was no fluke as they burned the Ipswich side 4 -1.  Roar coach Dave Dasavia is showing that his young chargers have a bit about them as they shot to a 4-0 lead before conceding late.

We are coming into a fascinating period as clubs are getting all their players together and up to fitness.  Expect the next few weeks to show who the real contenders for the competition will be.