Sunshine Coast Women extended their unbeaten run to three matches with a straightforward 3-0 win over Moreton Bay United Women at Wolter Park on Sunday.
Jets ‘keeper Renee Rudder frustrated Fire for much of the contest but two goals after half time secured a comfortable third win of the season for Dave Bensted’s side.
Rudder was in form early, making a trio of fine saves inside the opening 20 minutes while striker Zozia Sen won a corner from Savanna Bowtell-Harris at the other end.
The away side did get the all-important opener in the 27th minute when Sofie Persson, already twice denied by Rudder, was put through to make it 1-0 by shooting high into the far corner.
Colorado native Marcena Hunter next shot wide a good chance for Fire, followed by a further pair of Rudder saves from Samara Christmas and Persson to keep Jets in it at half time.
Christmas then failed to convert another one-on-one shortly after the restart and her frustration grew in the 56thminute when she headed a free kick against the crossbar.
The Maryborough-born forward was finally rewarded for effort on the hour, winning a penalty after Lyndal Unwin’s challenge and burying the resultant spot kick.
Rudder twice pushed efforts against the woodwork soon after that goal but the match was put to bed in the 73rdminute when Danielle White had time to shoot through a crowd of players from around the edge of the area.
Kate Sherratt had a couple of shots late in attempting to reduce the deficit for Jets while Fire’s Kayla Moore smashed a close-range shot into the crossbar, but it mattered little as 3-0 proved more than enough for the visitors.
Speaking after the match, Jets coach Lorna Dent believed the match was up for grabs in the opening 45 minutes.
“Especially the first half it was a very close, even game. There probably wasn’t a goal in it but they just took their chance,” Dent said.
Fire defender Marcena Hunter was buoyed by her side’s improving run of form.
“I think we’ve had a really good three game streak and it’s been really good building up some confidence,” Hunter said.
Listen to the full post match interviews below.
Moreton Bay United FC Women 0
Sunshine Coast FC Women 3 (Sofie PERSSON 27’ Samara CHRISTMAS 60’ Danielle WHITE 73’)
Words: Matt Dorman
Image: Albert Perez/Moreton Bay United
(Source: Football Queensland)
