Words: Matt Dorman
Image: Palm Beach SC

Palm Beach SC Women have pulled off the surprise of the season so far, edging out The Gap Women 2-1 at Mallawa Complex on Sunday.

Deanna Thompson was the second-half matchwinner for Sharks with her second goal in as many matches.

The match began with a quick tempo early despite the warm conditions and it was the hosts who capitalised first.

Gators coughed up possession in a dangerous area in the 22^nd minute and Lauren Brown was on hand to receive a pass and open the scoring for her second of the PlayStation® 4 NPL Queensland season.

The visitors responded with a sustained period of pressure but were unable to convert several opportunities, until winning a penalty midway through the second half.

Captain Rebecca Price stepped up to convert and level matters, but parity only lasted for five minutes.

Thompson was the hero for Sharks, lashing home from outside the penalty area after a neat midfield move.

The hosts survive Gators’ onslaught to seal their first victory, following round one’s 2-2 draw with Eastern Suburbs Women.

Speaking after the match, Sharks coach Gary French was delighted to get one over a team he described as the benchmark.

“Any win against them is great, so at this moment I’m very pleased,” French said.

While disappointed by the result, Gators coach Rob Askew was comforted by his team’s control of play.

“I felt we were probably the better team but at the end of the day we weren’t clinical,” Askew said.

Listen to the full post-match interviews below.

Palm Beach SC Women 2 (Lauren BROWN 22’, Deeanna THOMPSON 65’)
The Gap Women 1 (Rebecca PRICE 60’)