A clinical two goal haul from striker Lana Harch helped land Brisbane Roar Women a solid 4-0 victory over Newcastle Jets at Wanderers Oval on Saturday afternoon.
After losing to Sydney in the opening round and managing a point last week against Canberra United, the win was Brisbane-s first this season and has pushed them to third spot on the Westfield W-League ladder.
The Roar made their intentions known right from the first whistle and had their just reward two minutes in with Lana Harch netting from close range after a well-placed cross from Amy Chapman.
After hitting the post and forcing acrobatics from Jets ‘keeper Alison Logue with two powerful shots as the half progressed, Tameka Butt finally doubled the away side-s lead in the 25th minute when presented with a one-on-one opportunity with the goalkeeper.
Forcing Logue outwards, Butt showed her great composure to round the Newcastle No. 1 to score her third goal in as many games.
The Jets looked lively during an early attacking spell after the half-time break but Harch made sure the three points would be heading home to Brisbane with a long-range effort on the hour mark.
With the game almost certainly in the bag, Brisbane coach Jeff Hopkins decided to replace two goal hero Harch with new signing, former Perth Glory star Lisa De Vanna.
The Westfield Matilda ensured her Brisbane Roar debut would be a memorable occasion, coolly converting from the penalty spot after she was fouled by a Newcastle defender in the area just a minute after taking the field.
The Roar held on in the final 15 minutes of the game to record an impressive four goal tally against Newcastle.
Brisbane captain Clare Polkinghorne was pleased with the way her team conducted themselves but said the best was still to come from the Jeff Hopkins-coached side.
“We took control of the game but at the same time we didn-t perform to our best and there is still room for improvement,” she said.
“It-s taken us a while to get our first win but now we-ve got the confidence to keep going and get a few more.”
Brisbane Roar Women-s next game is at home, this Saturday 27 November against Perth Glory. Kick-off at Perry Park is at 4pm.
