A “disappointing” evening has seen Brisbane Roar record its fourth consecutive draw to open the Westfield W-League season, sharing the points with the Newcastle Jets on Sunday evening.
The Roar were forced to pay for a shaky opening period, during which the Jets scored their goal, before Emily Gielnik’s first goal of the 2020/21 season midway through the second stanza earned her side a point.
The Jets made the better of the running throughout the first half, hitting the upright twice before Tara Andrews’ header handed the early advantage to the hosts.
Brisbane slowly built into the contest and began to string together goal-scoring opportunities shortly before the break and made the most of the running after the restart.
Gielnik needed just the one invitation after the break to net her first first goal for the Roar since February 2018, restoring parity on 54 minutes after latching on to on a neat flick from Rosie Sutton before finishing coolly in to the bottom corner under immense pressure.
The Roar looked the more likely to find a go-ahead goal as time wore on at McDonald Jones Stadium with both Gielnik and fellow attacker Mariel Hecher forcing Claire Coelho into action.
At the other end of the park, Georgina Worth had arguably the most important impact of the closing stages, making a superb save at the near post to deny Sophie Harding as regular time expired.
Despite a late push from the visitors, the Roar will return to Brisbane with just the one point ahead of Friday night’s clash against Melbourne Victory.
Speaking post-match, Head Coach Jake Goodship was pleased with his side’s second half display, but admitted opening period needed to be sharper.
“It’s disappointing to get a draw. The first half in particular was disappointing. We looked a little shaky, unlike we have in the first three games,” Goodship said.
“It was a positive second half, we did enough to win it in my opinion but it’s back in to training this week, work hard and look ahead to the Victory on Friday.”
GOALS
Newcastle Jets – Andrews 16’ – 1-0
Tara Andrews is found with a delightful ball into the area, heading low past Worth into the bottom left corner.
Brisbane Roar – Gielnik 54’ – 1-1
The Roar launch into a quick counter as Rosie Sutton picks out Emily Gielnik with a neat flick as the Matildas star breaks in behind the Jets defence before finishing calmly.
Opening the account for another @WLeague season in orange! ?⚫️ @EGielnik
? @FOXFOOTBALL pic.twitter.com/vPY9HMfjLW
— Brisbane Roar FC (@brisbaneroar) January 17, 2021
MATCH DETAILS
Westfield W-League 2020/21 Round 4: Newcastle Jets vs Brisbane Roar
McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
Sunday, 17 January
Newcastle Jets 1 (Andrews 16’)
Brisbane Roar 1 (Gielnik 54’)
Half-time: 1-0
