In their last home game for 2018, our Roar Women have stood proud and taken three points in an entertaining 3-1 win at Dolphin Stadium against the Western Sydney Wanderers.
Two second-half goals ensured the Roar secured a second win in just four days, and shoots them into the top two on the Westfield W-League ladder.
Following a short turnaround from Sunday’s epic win against Melbourne Victory, Head Coach Mel Andreatta was proud of a ‘professional’ performance from her side.
“I’m happy and relieved. It was a short turn around and it’s been hot, but those players…they’re such professionals. They give their all and what a performance to grind that out in the end,” Andreatta said post-match.
Andreatta fielded three teenagers in her starting XI, one of which was birthday girl Indiah Paige-Riley who was lucky enough to score her maiden Westfield W-League goal.
“All of them are so level headed and the pleasing thing is the senior players and the leadership group really get around them,” Andreatta continued.
The perfect 17th birthday present for @IndiahRiley ? #RoarAsOne
? @FOXFOOTBALL pic.twitter.com/QEJm38lQ6i
— Brisbane Roar (@brisbaneroar) December 20, 2018
“They have high expectations of them and they communicate that, but they also care about them and know where they are at in their careers and I think that keeps them level.”
“That’s why we see those performances like we saw tonight and to get a goal on her [Indiah] birthday is a cherry on top.”
The Wanderers pressed early in a physical encounter at Redcliffe’s Dolphin Stadium but the home side didn’t take long to warm to the occasion and began to create promising attacks in the later stages of the first half.
An opening goal eventually came through an unfortunate deflection off a Wanderers defender, which the home side held until a 63rd minute equaliser from the visitors.
The Roar replied in emphatic fashion however, taking control of the match and hunting a winner.
Riley got her name on the scorecard before striker Allira Toby scored for the second time in as many games in the 85th minute to round out the win.
“There is not a team in the world who doesn’t rely on their number nine,” Andreatta added.
“It’s fantastic that she [Toby] has put two really good performances together, and it’s not just what she’s doing in attack, it’s what she’s doing in defence.”
The Roar head into Christmas full of positivity, with back-to-back wins elevating them into the league’s top two.
They’ll be looking to continue their winning ways on the road against Canberra United on Thursday, 27 December.
STORY OF THE GAME
- Three teenagers — Anna Margraf, Indiah-Paige Riley & Hollie Palmer — were welcomed to Mel Andreatta’s starting 11.
- A first-half own goal was complemented by a maiden goal for birthday girl Riley & a late strike from Allira Toby, who was named as BRFC Player of the Match
- The win is the Roar Women’s sixth straight over the Wanderers & sees them continue to climb the Westfield W-League ladder.
GOALS
Brisbane Roar – Own goal 35’ – 1-0
A corner from Yuki Nagasato into a dangerous area sees the Wanderers concede an own goal.
Western Sydney – Yeoman-Dale 63’ – 1-1
After a break down in play and a quick free kick, Georgia Yeoman-Dale speeds towards goals, and is originally denied by Mackenzie Arnold, but the parried save allows the Wanderers striker to clean up & find the back of the net.
Brisbane Roar – Riley 70’ – 2-1
Another perfect corner from Nagasato picks out birthday girl Indiah-Paige Riley in the box who finds the net from close range — her first goal in the Westfield W-league.
Brisbane Roar – Toby 86’ – 3-1
Allira Toby hits a fist time screamer into the back of the net off a glorious ball by Carson Pickett which slices through the heart of the Wanderers defence.
MATCH DETAILS
Westfield W-League 2018/19 – Round 8: Brisbane Roar v Western Sydney Wanderers
Dolphin Stadium, Redcliffe
Thursday, 20 December
Brisbane Roar 3 (OG 35’, Riley 70’, Toby 86’)
Western Sydney Wanderers 1 (Yeoman-Dale 63’)
Half-time: 1-0
Crowd: 2,389
