Early goals prove costly as Thunder fall to Gap
FOOTBALL: Three quick-fire goals crushed any hope the South West Queensland had of truly testing NPLQW ladderleaders The Gap FC on Saturday.
Goals to Talitha Doro, Charli Mclennan and Greta Bodey inside the first 17 took the game away from the Thunder before Madison Franke scored her side’s loan goal in their 6-1 defeat.
Thunder coach Scott Teakle commended the precision of The Gap in the game’s opening 20 minutes.
“They’re a very good side,” he said.
“They moved the ball around well and we just didn’t shut them down – particularly on the first goal.
“Talitha (Doro) got the run of the midfield, found space and hit a good shot from outside the area.
“The next two goals came from crosses we didn’t shut down.
“It’s a bit unfortunate because I think our right side was working quite well but our left hand side were not gelling as well.”
After an exciting opening 20 minutes the match settled into a steadier rhythm, according to Teakle.
“I thought we did alright after the early goals,” he said.
“We controlled things a little more and contained them a bit better.
“I was particularly happy with our centre back pairing.
“One of things we wanted to achieve was to shut down Tiarne Petterwood – she is second in the golden boot race and we wanted to stop her from scoring.
“We did that which is a bonus for us.”
A Thunder own goal in the 69th minute and two late goals to Sarah Miller and Ruth Blackburn blew out the scoreline.