Words: Callum Dick
Images: Ray Gardner

Sunshine Coast FC Women survived a first-half scare to prevail convincing 6-1 victors over Redlands United Women at Cleveland Showgrounds.

Returning striker Samara Christmas netted a hat-trick while Danielle White added a brace, before Martha Bensted punctuated the result late in a dominant second-half performance from the visitors.

Earlier, Redlands took a shock lead prior to the half-hour when Kate Morris capitalised on an error by Fire goalkeeper Katie Offer to register only the second goal of Redlands’ maiden campaign.

However, Christmas evened the ledger immediately to commence a parade of goals to see Fire secure a second win against Redlands inside four days.

The result sees Fire edge ahead of Gold Coast City Women to sixth on the table while Redlands remain anchored to the bottom of the table and are still in search of their first point after 16 starts.

Key Moments

5’ – CHANCE FOR FIRE – Martha Bensted intercepts a wayward clearance and strikes off one step but her effort skims the top of the crossbar

22’ – CHANCE FOR FIRE – Linley Archard cuts a swathe through the Redlands defence, but a heavy touch allows Redlands goalkeeper Jess Anderson time to cover

24’ – GOAL FOR REDLANDS – A disastrous air swing from Fire goalkeeper Katie Offer allows Kate Morris to waltz into an open goal for a shock Redlands lead.

24’ – GOAL FOR FIRE – From the restart the visitors make amends; Samara Christmas punishing a lax defensive line to bury a shot from 18 yards and restore parity

42’ – GOAL FOR FIRE – Christmas turns home Kirra Guy’s cutback to give the visitors a deserved lead close to half-time

49’ – GOAL FOR FIRE – Danielle White rockets a shot from outside the box that takes a deflection and trickles across the goal line

57’ – GOAL FOR FIRE – White makes it two inside ten minutes, chipping Anderson in the Redlands goal from 20 yards

64’ – GOAL FOR FIRE – Christmas brings up her hat-trick in emphatic fashion by picking out the top-left corner from outside the area

80’ – GOAL FOR FIRE – A floating corner kick finds Bensted free at the far post and she holds her nerve to convert from close range

What They Said

“It was a case of changing just a couple of tactics and in the second half we came out, got the four goals, and got the 6-1 result I think we deserved. It was a good all-round performance (from Samara Christmas). She finished with three and set-up a couple. It was good to have her composure in front of goal.” - Thomas White, Sunshine Coast FC Women coach

“Today we didn’t control their number 9 (Christmas) – I think there were two or three goals there that we could have easily stopped, and that was the big difference today.” - John Blanco, Redlands United FC Women coach

“We got a bit complacent as soon as we scored – we were a little too hyped and we lost our players (from the restart). It’s another learning experience for us.” - Whitney Howson, Redlands United FC Women player

Match Details

PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues Women’s 2016 – Round 19

Saturday, July 30
Cleveland Showgrounds, Redland City

Redlands United FC Women – 1 (Kate MORRIS 24’)
Sunshine Coast FC Women – 6 (Samara CHRISTMAS 24’ 42’ 64’, Danielle WHITE 49’ 57’, Martha BENSTED 80’)

Match Centre – http://bit.ly/2agT8JE

Match Officials – Joshua KRAUSE (referee), Benjamin ORWELL (assistant), Laura KRAUSE (assistant)