The Gap too strong
Lua Suero scored for the GCU Women (Sportspics)
The Gap reaffirmed their league favoritism with a dominant 6-1 win over a Gold Coast United last night at Walton Bridge Reserve.
Coming in to the match with some confidence after a recent run of good results it was United who started the better taking an early lead, Lua Suero finished off a good passage of play.. The remainder of the first half was a fairly even contest, but some hesitation by the visitors allowed The Gap back in to the contest with Ruth Blackburn equalising and Talitha Doro putting the hosts in front just before the break.
United’s Coach Michael Cook was pleased by how his side opened the match.
“We were very good tonight for 60 minutes.
“The players responded well after the break and early in the second half we had three very good chances to make it 2-2.”
The Gap showed their quality however by holding out a determined United early in the second half and capitalizing on their chances.
“As very good teams do, we were punished by our opponents for not making the most of our own opportunities,” Cook confirmed.
“They were very clinical in taking their own.”
Charli McLennan opened the second half scoring for the hosts early on and from there The Gap dominated the score sheet.
McLennan and Blackburn both bagged braces and Tiarne Petterwood nabbed the final goal of the evening.
The win sees the Gap maintain a 3 point lead over Lions on the competition ladder, with Souths still thereabouts in third with a game in hand and in striking distance of second place.
Cook was realistic about the performance post match.
“Their third goal really hurt us, and we failed to respond and more mistakes meant we conceded a fourth, which put the game out of reach.
“We didn’t deserve to lose by so many goals, we are not that far behind the competition’s best teams.
“We will learn the lessons from tonight and look to bounce back and get back to winning ways next weekend.”
United welcome Moreton Bay Jets to Station Reserve next Saturday and know what to expect from the visitors. The league’s leading scorer, Meaghan McElligott, is now among the Jets ranks – a recent departure from the Coast squad.
The Jets will be out to maintain fourth place on the ladder. Any slip up by them invites the Young Roar into the battle for a finals birth.
Expect an entertaining, free flowing affair.
Women’s National Premier Leagues , Rd 21
Saturday, July 14, 2018
Walton Bridge Reserve, The Gap
Gap 6 (Blackburn 23’ 70’, Doro 39′, Mclennan 54′ 66′, Petterwood 81′)
Gold Coast United 1 (Suero 1’)