Brisbane Roar Women earned another three points and remained undefeated with a 3-2 victory against Melbourne City at AAMI Park on Sunday afternoon.
Two goals arrived before halftime, the first being a booming header from Clare Polkinghorne and the second a succinct penalty from Emily Gielnik, continuing her recent hot streak in front of goal.
Straight after the break however, City were back in the contest when Alex Chidiac hit home a deflected shot before the host then drew level in the 73rd minute through a Sam Johnson penalty.
Brisbane weren’t to be denied with the result decided almost straight from the ensuing kick off when a well-rehearsed combination between Polkinghorne and Tameka Yallop put Mariel Hecher in on goal.
From a tight angle and with plenty of work to do, the Brazilian ace conjured an exquisite finish off the far post, restoring what would become a decisive, well-deserved lead.
The margin flattered the home side with the Roar unlucky to only be two goals clear at the break, but Head Coach Jake Goodship was happy to be returning to Brisbane with another three points.
“We should have put the game away in the first half. We should have been three or four up,” Goodship said.
“It was great to see Clare score, it really lifts the team emotionally and she fully deserves a goal after her input over the first five or six rounds.
“We showed resilience and character tonight. We always want to win at all costs so to see the game out for the last five or ten minutes was fantastic.”
Having endured a period of logistical uncertainty coming into the contest he was justifiably proud of his squad.
A short break looms before the second & third games of a three straight road games in a row when the Roar face the Wanderers next Thursday, 11 February and then Sydney FC just three days later – both venues TBC.
On the back of two strong performances, Goodship says his side will take plenty of confidence into both upcoming clashes.
“Credit to all of us as individuals and a group in securing the points. I’m confident when we go to Sydney that we’ll go there and turn it into six away points as well.”
GOALS
Brisbane Roar – Polkinghorne 23’ – 0-1
Polkinghorne puts the full stop on a sustained period of pressure with a bullet header direct from an inswinging Jamilla Rankin corner.
Brisbane Roar – Gielnik 31’ – 0-2
Good work around the box from Hecher opens up space for Yallop whose shot strikes the arm of Johnson & the referee points to the spot. Emily Gielnik dispatches the penalty with ease.
Melbourne City – Chidiac 46’ – 1-2
Kira intercepts inside the area, allowing Chidiac to strike home a deflected shot against the run of play.
Melbourne City – Johnson 73’ – 2-2
A tackle from Olivia Chance is penalised & Johnson sends Worth the wrong way from the penalty spot.
Brisbane Roar – Hecher 75’ – 2-3
Almost straight from the kick-off, the Roar restored a well-deserved lead with a superb finish in off the far post from Mariel Hecher.
MATCH DETAILS
W-League 2020/21 Round 6: Melbourne City vs Brisbane Roar
AAMI Park, Melbourne
Sunday, 31 January
Melbourne City 2 (Chidiac 46’, Johnson 73’ (pen.))
Brisbane Roar 3 (Polkinghorne 23’, Gielnik 31’ (pen.), Hecher 75’)
Half-time: 0-2
