Rampant Thunder denied by Mitchelton

South West Queensland Thunder produce dynamic performance in defeat to Mitchelton.

AT THE DOUBLE: Thunder striker Louise Rolfe scores one of her two goals against Mitchelton. The Thunder women lost the match 3-2. Picture: Nev Madsen

FOOTBALL: It was arguably one of their best performances of the season but unfortunately for the South West Queensland Thunder women they were the beaten side.

Playing host to Mitchelton, the Thunder had everything to play for with the scores locked 0-0 at the halftime break.

Both sides had their chances in the first half with the best falling the Thunder's way but neither side could find the back of the net.

"I thought we had some fantastic chances in the first half,” Thunder coach Scott Teakle said.

"Louise (Rolfe) had a number of chances early. Mel (Lloyd) had a few and I think had we put them away the game could've been over.

"Aside from our win it's the best 90 minutes of football we've put together this season.

Mitchelton's Fern Doyle opened the scoring in the 51st minute, tucking home her shot from close, but the game truly sprang to life in the last 20 minutes.

The visitors doubled their advantage in the 69th minute - Lyndal Unwin heading home a free kick - but the Thunder replied almost immediately.

Thunder striker Rolfe scored the first of her two goals, a well struck shot in the 70th to keep her side in the game.

Georgia Buchanan soon restored Mitchelton's two goal advantage though when she scored in the 75th minute.

Rolfe ensured a frantic finish to the match, cleverly beating the Mitchelton offside trap in the 86th minute but despite their late pressure the Thunder were unable to find a third goal.

Their defending of set pieces ultimately cost the Thunder according to Teakle.

"All their (Mitchelton's) goals came off set pieces,” Teakle said.

"It's just a bit unfortunate that they appeared to have a little more desire in those moments - they got to the loose balls a little quicker.

"We did a lot of things right though. I felt we really exploited their centre back pairing which was something we identified as a potential weakness of theirs before the game.

"Emma Jackson, another one of our young girls, had a great game in midfield which is another promising sign for that crop of girls.

Men secure key win

An Anthony Grant goal has secured a key 1-0 victory for the Thunder in Townsville against North Queensland.

The win, Thunder's fourth from their last six games, was the product of good positive football according to men's assistant manager Kris Hemmerling.

"I thought played a good brand of football and the good thing is we held on defensively late in the match,” Hemmerling said.

"Apart from 10 or so minutes after game was delayed when the lights went out we were very positive.

"We probably could've scored a few more late but we'll take the 1-0 win.

"It gets us away from the relegation zone a little more and closer to the top six.”

Originally published as Rampant Thunder denied by Mitchelton