Sunshine Coast Women inflicted a second defeat of the season on Palm Beach SC Women in winning 2-0 at Kawana Sports Precinct on Sunday.
Fire goalkeeper Katie Offer made a string of saves to keep the league-leaders scoreless for the first time and help her side into fifth place in the process.
The match was even early with opportunities at both ends.
Jess Davy broke the contest open when she finished following a pass from the left side of the area, securing a 1-0 lead at the break.
Sharks might have equalised within moments of the restart while Offer was regularly tested, but Fire remained on track for a second straight clean sheet.
Fire midfielder Martha Bensted took full advantage with 15 minutes remaining by turning home Kirsty Clifford’s cross.
One more decisive moment was still to arrive as Offer was called on to save a Sharks penalty inside the final 10 minutes, diving low to her right and preserving the ultimately final 2-0 scoreline.
Speaking after the match, goalkeeper Offer praised her back four and picked out her penalty save as a proud moment.
“I wanted a clean sheet just as much as everyone else so to keep that out was really good,” Offer said.
Sharks coach Gary French felt his side could have taken points from the fixture.
“I think we created enough chances, hit the post, missed a penalty. Overall I think it was two good teams trying to play football but obviously from our point of view it was disappointing to lose,” French said.
Sunshine Coast FC Women 2 (Jess DAVY 23’ Martha BENSTED 75’)
Palm Beach SC Women 0
Words: Matt Dorman
Image: Sam Attwood/Sunshine Coast FC
(This article originally appeared on www.nplqld.com.au)
