Words: Bree Reidy
Images: Ray Gardner

The Gap FC Women have extended their league record unbeaten streak to an impressive 24 matches after trouncing Redlands United Women 9-0 at the Cleveland Showgrounds.

Jessica Dillion scored either side of Greta Bodey in the first half on top of Ruth Blackburn’s deflected header and an own goal to hand Gators a comfortable 5-0 lead before half time.

Bodey completed a hat-trick early in the second half while substitute Holly Hitchener secured her brace to see Gators move 11 points clears on the ladder.

The result consigns United to their eighth straight loss as they wait another week to make a dent on the table in their maiden PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues Women's campaign.

Key Moments

5’ - GOAL FOR GATORS – Ruth Blackburn lies in wait at the far post to receive a corner, her header taking a slight deflection before finding the back of the net

15’ - GOAL FOR GATORS – Jessica Dillion bolts straight through the Redlands defence into the box to receive the ball, going one on one with the Redlands goalkeeper Megan Byriel to before striking her first of the night

27’ - GOAL FOR GATORS – A crowded box causes some confusion as a Redlands player heads the ball across the line for an own goal

33’ - GOAL FOR GATORS – Blackburn draws a defender towards her giving leaving Bodey to run into the box for a cross - Bodey receives the ball with plenty of time before calmly placing the ball past the keeper.

45’ - GOAL FOR GATORS – Talitha Doro on the end of an Eden Jones cross cut the ball back to Dillion who fired home her second from the top of the 18 yard box

47’ - GOAL FOR GATORS – Bodey eagerly awaits at the near post for a corner before heading the ball in, grazing Byriel’s fingertips on the way through.

57’ - CHANCE FOR GATORS – Dillion fires from outside the 18 yard box aiming for the top left but Byriel pounces to pull off an impressive save mid air

60’ - GOAL FOR GATORS – Bodey makes a commanding run through the middle closing down on the box, shrugging off the Redlands defence to slot home a low finish

68’ - GOAL FOR GATORS- Substitute Holly Hitchener stamps her mark on the game with a well-hit strike through two Redlands defenders

85’ - GOAL FOR GATORS – A last man block on the line by a Redlands defender denies Bodey her fourth however Hitchener is on hand to pick up pieces and fire home at close range

What They Said

“Last week we copped a ten and there was no way we were going to get to that again. We knew it was going to be a tough game but especially in that second half the girls dug in deep against the Gap and actually started to get frustrated. We had patches were we would play well and then get frustrated and drop off a little bit. Overall I’m proud of them because slowly they are starting to turn a corner when it comes to these tough games.” - John Blanco, Redlands United Women coach

“Heading into this week we still tried to focus on our own game, attacking through the mid and attacking out wide. We had a game plan and we tried to implement it on the field. We pulled some of it off and we still need to work on some things but overall I think we did well. We all push each other and with the likes of Megan (Price) and Ruth (Blackburn) in the middle picking up the spirits of all the girls helps us all and we work for each other.” Jessica Dillion, The Gap FC Women

Match Details

PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues Women’s 2016 – Round 10

Saturday, May 14
Cleveland Showgrounds, Redlands

Redlands United FC Women – 0
The Gap FC Women – 9 (Ruth Blackburn 5’, Jessica DILLION 15’ 45’, Greta BODEY 33’ 47’ 60’, Holly Hitchener 68’ 85’)

CLICK HERE for the official Match Centre

Match Officials – Kaylah Veile (referee), Nicholas Pims (assistant), Kianna Henderson (assistant)