Brisbane Roar’s hopes of finishing the season atop the Westfield W-League have been dashed at Ballymore Stadium as they were held to a 0-0 draw by the Newcastle Jets.
Despite dominating large portions of the match, Jeff Hopkins- side were unable to find the killer goal to secure three points and Sydney-s subsequent victory over Canberra later in the afternoon means the Brisbane Roar women will finish the season in second spot.
The first half unfolded with both teams creating a number of opportunistic chances with neither side able to find the vital goal-scoring touch.
Brisbane Roar-s first chance of the game came in the seventh minute.
Roar defender Karla Reuter sent a crisp pass towards Lisa De Vanna who in turn crossed the ball to Lana Harch, but the striker-s shot was easily caught by Jets ‘keeper Allison Lipsher.
The Jets were quick to answer with an opportunity two minutes later – Nicole Cross- header looked destined for the back of the net but Roar goalkeeper Casey Dumont was ready to make the save.
Newcastle-s next opportunity fell after 20 minutes when forward Kate Hensman-s shot flashed just high of the cross bar.
Brisbane looked lively as the first half progressed and almost had a deserved opening goal in injury time, but Lisa De Vanna-s shot bounced unluckily off the far post.
The second half saw much of the same with both sides unable to capitalize on their opportunities in front of goal.
Butt made sure Lipsher was accountable for much of the second half, taking multiple runs down the right wing and looking dangerous in the final third.
Emily Gielnik replaced Lana Harch in the 63rd minute and almost made an instant impact, taking her first shot on goal in the 66th minute to keep Lipsher on her toes.
Gielnik was persistent in her efforts and took a second shot on goal only seconds later to force another decent save from the Newcastle custodian.
The Roar continued their run towards goal with Butt taking another shot in the 77th minute but the teenager was again unable to convert with the goal in clear view.
The final minute saw an effort from De Vanna collide with what looked to be the hand of Newcastle-s Thea Slatyer in the box, but referee Catherine Hoffman waved play on and the game finished on level terms.
According to coach Jeff Hopkins, the squad will put this game behind them and look towards their finals campaign in the 2011 Westfield W League competition.
“As a team I think we are lacking the spark we had in the first eight to ten weeks of the season. We need to get back to the way we were at the beginning of the season,” he said.
“I don-t think Sydney is going to slip up so we are resigned to get second place, which is okay.
“We need to move ahead and get this game out of our heads and use the next two weeks as productively as we can before we get into the finals.”
Brisbane Roar 0
Newcastle Jets 0
Saturday 22nd January, 2011
Ballymore Stadium, Brisbane
Referee: Catherine Hoffman
Assistant referees: Rachel Mitchenson and Rebecca Durcau
Fourth official: Renae Coghill
Brisbane Roar line-up: 1.Casey DUMONT (gk), 2. Laura ALLEWAY, 3. Karla REUTER, 5. Brooke SPENCE, 6. Joanne BURGESS (14. Amy CHAPMAN 63′), 7. Kim CARROLL (c), 10. Lana HARCH (17.Emily GIELNIK 63′), 11. Aivi LUIK, 13. Tameka BUTT, 16. Lauren COLTHORPE, 19.Lisa DE VANNA
Substitutes not used: 15.Erika ELZE, 20.Kate STEWART (gk)
Yellow Cards: Nil
Red Cards: Nil
Newcastle Jets line-up: 1.Allison LIPSHER (gk), 2. Hannah BREWER, 3. Hayley CRAWFORD ( c), 4. Nicole CROSS, 5.Gema SIMON, 7. Tara ANDREWS, 12. Melissa FEUERRIGEL, 13. Thea SLATYER, 14. Carlie IKONOMOU, 15. Madeline SEARL (10.Leah SMITH 34′), 16. Kate Hensman (8 Amber NEILSON 71′)
Substitutes not used: 17. Alexandra HUYNH, 30. Michelle GRIGG (gk)
Yellow Cards: Nicole CROSS 26′
Red Cards: Nil
