Brisbane Roar have moved to the top of the Westfield W-League thanks to a 2-0 win over Melbourne City in front of 3,204 people at Suncorp Stadium.
Second-half strikes from Allira Toby and Katrina Gorry sealed the points for the hosts in Sunday’s match.
Kyah Simon had the best chance of a tight first half after Mackenzie Arnold denied an onrushing Yukari Kinga which saw the ball fall to Simon who was unable to put her shot on target despite having the goal at her mercy.
The second half began at a frantic pace with City again coming close as Rhali Dobson sent her header at the back post crashing against the woodwork.
Roar found the breakthrough in the 60th minute when Claire Polkinghorne’s long ball found substitute Toby who coolly chipped Lydia Williams to give Roar the lead.
Toby’s goal proved to be a masterstroke from Roar coach Mel Andreatta who’d brought the forward on for Wai Ki Cheung just moments earlier.
Roar’s lead was doubled in the 73rd minute when Gorry’s free kick from 25 metres out evaded everyone and found it’s way into the back of the net.
Toby nearly added a third late in the match after the ball fell to her at the top of the box and she smashed a left-footed effort against the crossbar.
Celeste Boureille came close to scoring her first W-League goal when her long-range effort in stoppage time forced Williams into a flying save.
The win sees Brisbane move two points clear of Newcastle Jets and Perth Glory at the top of Westfield W-League ladder while City drop to fifth following Sydney FC’s win over Canberra United on Friday night.
Brisbane’s focus now turns to a top-of-the table clash away to Perth Glory on December 29 while Melbourne City travel to Western Sydney on New Years Day.
Brisbane Roar FC 2
Melbourne City FC 0
Suncorp Stadium, Milton
Referee: Lara LEE
Assistant Referees: Laura MOYA & Danielle POTTICARY
Fourth Official: Rachel MITCHENSON
Brisbane Roar FC
- Mackenzie ARNOLD, 2. Carson PICKETT, 4. Clare POLKINGHORNE, 6. Celeste BOUREILLE, 8. Kaitlyn TORPEY, 9. Wai Ki CHEUNG (60’ 12. Allira TOBY), 10. Katrina GORRY, 11. Natalie TATHEM (57’ 14. Summer O”BRIEN) , 13. Tameka BUTT, 16. Hayley RASO, 17. Emily GIELNIK (80’ 7. Ayesha NORRIE)
Melbourne City FC
- Lydia WILLIAMS, 2. Yukari KINGA, 3. Lauren BARNES, 4. Ashley HATCH, 6. Aivi LUIK, 7. Steph CATLEY, 10. Jess FISHLOCK, 11. Rhali DOBSON, 13. Rebekah STOTT, 14. Alanna KENNEDY, 17. Kyah SIMON (73’ 9. Larissa CRUMMER)
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