Persson Inspires Fire Women
Words: Matt Dorman
Image: Sam Attwood/Sunshine Coast FC
Sofie Persson hit five goals as Sunshine Coast FC Women eased to a 6-2 win over SWQ Thunder Women at Kawana Sports Precinct on Sunday.
Fire led by three at break and although Thunder managed to grab two after the restart, they never threatened to keep the hosts from a sixth win of the season.
Persson opened her prolific afternoon inside the first 20 minutes, converting from the penalty spot after Samara Christmas was brought down in the area.
Persson doubled her tally and Fire’s advantage in the 23rd minute with a low finish into the bottom right corner, before the Swede completed her first-half hattrick by heading the home side into a comfortable 3-0 lead.
Incredibly, it was four for Persson within moments of the restart as the former IFK Kalmar player finished off a move involving Kayla Moore and strike partner Christmas.
Thunder did manage to pull it back to 4-1 when captain Madison Franke struck from a free kick from outside the area, but Persson was proving unstoppable as the forward grabbed her and Fire’s fifth before the hour again from a Christmas assist.
Christmas than netted a well-deserved goal of her own following lead-up play from Jessica Bender and Keira Burgess to cap the home side’s six-goal haul, although there was still time for Thunder’s Kiama Gray to pull a second back with her third goal of the campaign.
Speaking after the match, Fire midfielder Kayla Moore praised the players who came in to replace absent regulars.
“I think we played pretty well as a team. We had different girls that stepped up and I think everyone played really well,” Moore said.
Thunder captain Madison Franke felt her team failed to adapt to a new environment.
“We didn’t play much football. We weren’t really used to the ground, it was a bit heavy for us,” Franke said.
Listen to the full post-match interviews below.
Sunshine Coast FC Women 6 (Sofie PERSSON 17’, 23’, 34’, 47’, 57’ Samara CHRISTMAS 85’)
South West Queensland Thunder FC Women 2 (Madison FRANKE 53’ Kiama GRAY 90’+2)
Comments
Comment Guidelines: The SportsTG Network is made up of players, families and passionate sports followers like you who have a strong opinion about sport. That's great - we want you to have your say and share your thoughts with the world. However, we have a few rules that you must follow to keep it fun for all. Please don't be rude, abusive, swear or vilify others. Apart from some pretty serious sport sanctions, we also can ban you and report you if things get out of hand. So play fair and have fun, and thanks for your contribution.