Words: Matt Dorman
Image: Gordon Reeves/Western Pride FC

The Gap Women struck seven second-half goals to go fourth with an 8-0 win over Western Pride Women at Briggs Road Complex on Sunday night.

Leading by a lone goal at half time, the visitors exploded after the restart to notch a third straight win.

The match was played almost exclusively in Gators attacking half throughout the first 30 minutes and they were rewarded for their dominance when Leah Curtis spun on to her right foot and converted from the edge of the area to make it 1-0.

Several opportunities to extend that margin were spurned before the break but from Victoria Stephenson, Jessica Dillon and Curtis all struck within 10 minutes of the resumption to suddenly hand Rob Askew’s side a 4-0 lead.

Curtis next tucked away Gabe Marzano’s cross to complete her hattrick and a four-goal, nine-minute period.

A sixth followed after the hour as Bethany Ashton tapped home Curtis’ shot against the crossbar.

Pride eventually worked a shot on goal of their own through Lorena Maggio, but could do little to keep Curtis quiet at the other end with the midfielder this time finishing low from Ruth Blackburn’s pass.

The damage was finally done in the closing moments as Dillon powered home her second from long range to complete the 8-0 rout.

Speaking after the match, Pride assistant coach Pye Augustine felt the opposition’s class was ultimately too much to handle.

“The Gap are so well drilled and we’re still trying to find our feet. They second half they just ran over the top of us,” Augustine said.

Gators coach Rob Askew praised the impact of Leah Curtis on her return from injury.

“This is her second game back, she’s scoring goals and that’s what we need,” Askew said.

Listen to the full post match interviews below.

Western Pride FC Women 0
The Gap FC Women 8 (Leah CURTIS 34’, 53’, 56’, 75’ Victoria STEPHENSON 47’ Jessica DILLON 52’, 90’ Bethany ASHTON 65’)