Mustangs With Firm Grip On Title
Mitchelton 6 (Wilson 6', 38'; Rebelo 57' pen; Walker 65'; MacFarlane 77'; Mathis 85')
Capalaba 1 (Finneran 46') HT 2-0 Played at: Teralba Park
Mitchelton edged ever nearer to retaining their premiership crown with a 6-1 victory over their closest rivals Capalaba on Saturday evening at Teralba Park. It was perhaps a flattering scoreline with Capalaba matching the league leaders for much of the game other than with finding the back of the net, despite having plenty of chances; the first of which coming in the opening minute when April Gleeson was put through on goal, picked up a rebound off Mustangs keeper Emma Taylor and managed to skew her shot across goal with an empty net in front of her. It proved costly as Darcie Wilson opened the scoring moments later after collecting a Katie MacDonald through ball and despatching it beyond Bulldogs keeper Jess McLean. There was however a strong suggestion that Wilson was offside but appeals went unheeded. Capalaba had another golden opportunity midway through the half when Teagan Thompson was played in behind the Mitchie defence, rounded Taylor before narrowing her angle when over running her touch and allowing Tyla Harrison time to close her down and block her effort when she should have struck earlier with the goal at her mercy. Thompson was however unlucky not to level proceedings a couple of minutes later when she was played into space by Sachiko Tatsuoka, unleashing a shot that had Taylor beaten in goal, but not the crossbar as it cannoned away to safety. The misses again proving to be Capalaba's downfall as Wilson extended the hosts lead near the end of the half when finishing with a neat first time shot following Gabrielle Dickinson's innocuous ball into the box that the visitors failed to deal with. A revival was sparked on resumption of the second half with Capalaba taking just 15 seconds to pull one back after Madelyn Finneran struck from close range whilst many spectators were still returning to their seats. The biggest talking point would come just before the hour mark and proved to be the catalyst for Mitchelton's win when Tatsuoka was adjudged to have handled the ball in the box when attempting to deal with a cross. Referee Gavin Hutson pointed to the spot and then consulted with his assistant for clarification before confirming it would be a spot kick to the hosts. Emilie Rebelo firing in past McLean to re-establish a two goal lead, although the decision seemed a little harsh with the Japanese midfielder arguing her case after it looked as though the ball had come off high up her upper arm. Less than ten minutes later and the game was put beyond doubt. Substitute Kate Lutkins driving hard towards the goal line before cutting the ball back to the edge of the six yard box where Velvet See was on hand to tap the ball in. A neat combination between MacDonald and Lutkins lead to Mitchie's fifth with Lutkins picking out Jamie MacFarlane who made no mistake from close range.
Mitchelton's Yvonne Mathis chips in for the Mustangs 6th against Capalaba.
Substitute Yvonne Mathis rounded out the scoring when she cheekily and perhaps fortuitously chipped McLean from the edge of the box with the ball just sneaking in under the bar. It's hard to see anyone catching Mitchelton now. They have a perfect record so far this season and would need to lose the next four games just to give Capalaba the chance to draw level on points. The difference on the day was simply finishing and the Mustangs have this down to a fine art. The only disappointment on the night was Wilson coming off after 67 minutes following an earlier knock but she should be fine to return next round when they travel to Peninsula Power. Capalaba face local rivals Logan Lightning next time out and will want to bounce back with a win in that one.
Coaches Remarks: Zoe Bickerstaffe - Mitchelton: "I wasn't happy with the overall performance. We were very scrappy and weren't playing our normal game. Credit to Capalaba with coming at us with a game plan which almost worked and I think we were a bit lucky on the night. We took our chances and they didn't. At the end of the day, if you can put them in the back of the net you win."
Robert Gibson - Capalaba: "We were well in the game until the third goal and the girls dropped their heads. A few decisions went against us and they let that get to them. We tried to change formation but it didn't work. But we didn't put our chances away."
FB Media Player of the Match: Katie McDonald (Mitchelton).
She bossed the middle of the park and distributed well which ultimately proved fruitful for her side with goals stemming from her delivery. A solid performance throughout.
FB Media Stats:
Possession: 52% - 48%
Shots on target: 9 - 5
Shots off target: 5 - 5
Corners: 3 - 4
Free Kicks: 9 - 9
Penalties: 1 - 0
Offside: 0 - 1
Yellow Cards: 2 - 1
Red Cards: 0 - 0 Team Line-ups:
Mitchelton: Taylor (gk), Nohokau, See (Mathis 77'), Carden, Wilson (Lutkins 67'), Harrison, MacFarlane, Walker, Dickinson, McDonald (Bechaz 84'), Rebelo.
Subs: Bechaz, Lutkins, Mathis.
Capalaba: McLean (gk), Unwin, Gleeson, Longbottom, Finneran (Hein 78'), Latham, Collings, Tatsuoka, Robins, Thompson (Hirvi 67'), Tibbles.
Subs: Hein, Gibson, Hirvi, Soldatenko. Referee: Gavin Hutson
