Sydney FC has secured a 3-1 win over our Roar Women in a highly-entertaining affair at Lions FC Stadium on Saturday.
An Allira Toby special wasn’t quite enough as a Caitlin Foord brace & a goal from Natalie Tobin earned the visitors three points.
The home side were in control of the game for large portions of the content at Richlands, pressing hard in attack and creating promising chances on goal from early on.
Head Coach Mel Andreatta was disappointed with the result but was pleased with her side’s never-give-up attitude.
“[I have] mixed feelings really, going down early was against the run of play. I thought we started well and had control of the game & it was a much more positive start than our previous encounter with them,” Andreatta said post-match.
“We were two-nil down, but this group doesn’t give up and they scored a good goal after many chances just before we went into the break. “
Sydney broke the scoring deadlock on 36 minutes after a scramble for the ball inside the 18-yard box led to a close-range finish from Tobin. A penalty awarded to the away side closely followed, extending their lead to two.
The Roar Women bounced straight back in style, punishing the Sky Blues with a counter attack as Toby weaved through defenders with incredible control before finding the bottom corner to cut the lead to one.
The contest developed into an end-to-end encounter during the second half with both sides pressing hard for the all-important three points.
The Sky Blues extended their lead with the game’s final goal, hitting on the counter with 15 minutes to play.
“We’re obviously disappointed. We all want to win, but there is also lots of positives to take out of the game such as players returning, a 17-year-old [Leah Davidson] starting her first game and Hayley [Raso] playing her first minutes of the season,” Andreatta added.
It was a momentous afternoon for fan favourite Hayley Raso, who made her first appearance of the season after recovering from a serious back injury, entering the contest at half-time.
The Roar Women return to Suncorp Stadium this Friday, 25 January in Westfield W-league Round 13 action against Canberra United (4.20pm KO).
“We’re looking forward to getting back on home turf at Suncorp Stadium. We enjoy playing there and it suits our style of play,” Andreatta concluded.
STORY OF THE GAME
- 17-year-old midfielder Leah Davidson made her first appearance in the Roar’s starting 11.
- A thrilling first half came to a close at 2-1 to the Sky Blues following Allira Toby’s fourth goal in five games – a storming run & cool finish.
- Hayley Raso made her long awaited return to the Westfield W-League, coming off the bench at halftime.
GOALS
Sydney FC – Tobin 30’ – 1-0
Players scrambling for the ball inside the 18-yard box eventually sees Sydney FC’s Natalie Tobin find the net from close range.
Sydney FC – Foord 36’ – 2-0
Caitlin Foord put away a penalty awarded in the 36th minute from a handball inside the box.
Brisbane Roar – Toby 41’ – 2-1
Allira Toby powers through the Sky Blues defence with magic footwork and ball control, before finding gap and slotting the ball into the bottom corner with class.
Sydney FC – Foord 75’ – 3-1
A ball from Lisa De Vanna over the top of Brisbane’s defence finds Caitlin Foord at the top of the box & one-on-one with Mackenzie Arnold, she’s able to find the back of the net.
MATCH DETAILS
Westfield W-League 2018/19 – Round 12: Brisbane Roar v Sydney FC
Lions FC Stadium, Brisbane
Saturday, 19 January
Brisbane Roar 1 (Toby 40’)
Sydney FC 2 (Tobin 30’, Foord 36’ 75’)
Half-time: 2-1
Crowd: 2,118
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