Brisbane Roar have suffered their first defeat of the Westfield W-League 2016/17 season against Canberra United at A.J. Kelly Park on Sunday.
The Roar were unable to capitalise on a number of chances created throughout the match with a second half goal from Canberra’s Ashley Sykes the difference.
Brisbane Roar head coach Melissa Andreatta was disappointed with the loss despite predicting it would be a tough match.
“I think it was the game we predicted it would be, an attacking one, an exciting one, and unfortunately today we didn’t get the three points,” Mel Andreatta said.
“At home you always want to play your best football and get as many points as you possibly can.
“We’re disappointed but we are not disappointed with our effort and we’re not disappointed with our intent,” she said.
It was not for a lack of trying for Brisbane Roar as they had chance after chance in the opening exchanges on Sunday afternoon.
Midfielder Tameka Butt had the best opportunity of the first half for Brisbane as she forced Trudy Burke to palm the ball over the crossbar.
Canberra soon found their rhythm and began putting pressure on the Roar defence. Both teams defence were solid and it seemed that the crowd could be waiting a while for that illusive goal to come.
Sykes and Canberra teammate Jasmyne Spencer were dangerous as they weaved their way through the Roar defence before Spencer was forced off with an ankle injury following a strong challenge from Brisbane captain, Clare Polkinghorne (below).
The Roar began the second half slowly, conceding a goal nine minutes after the break which appeared to kick the two-time Westfield W-League Champions into gear.
Katrina Gorry (below) was once again instrumental in midfield, a constant threat going forward for Brisbane thoughout the match. The return of Tameka Butt also strengthened the Roar’s midfield.
The last quarter of an hour saw Brisbane create chance, after chance. Substitute Allira Toby having the best chance to equalise with a one-on-one opportunity with Canberra keeper Trudy Burke.
“We created some really good chances, one on one with the keeper, and we will keep working on it so we can finish those chances,” Andreatta said.
With four points from the opening three rounds of the Westfield W-League competition, the Roar will be looking to bounce back away to Western Sydney Wanderers on Saturday, November 26.
Goal
54’: Good work from Michelle Heyman, her pin-point cross finds teammate Ashleigh Sykes who taps into the back of the net from close range (0-1)
Talking Point
Brisbane had a number of chances but couldn’t find a way past Canberra United goalkeeper Trudy Burke who was the vistors best on ground, helping her side secure the three points.
Quote Unquote
Brisbane Roar Head Coach Melissa Andreatta: “We will keep working hard with our structures so it improves next weekend.”
“We worked very hard this week and we address that part of the game and changed it but every team does their homework.”
On Allira Toby and Brooke Spence: “Allira looked sharp, she is always a threat in behind. She is a hard worker, and she is working on all areas of her game.”
Spency [Brooke Spence] is what the Roar stands for. “Hard work and dedication and discipline, that’s how she has got herself back here after near on two years, and she came on and did a good job. She really steadied the ship back there for us.”
On next week’s clash against Western Sydney Wanderers “Every game is a tough one, my feeling doesn’t change.”
“I believe in what we are doing, I believe in our structures and I believe in these girls and we will go into training this week confident we can keep working on our structures and improve again like we did from last week against Perth, and we will have a good game.”
What’s next?
Brisbane Roar will travel south looking for a win as they take on the Western Sydney Wanderers before returning home to face reigning Premiers and Champions Melbourne City on Sunday 4th December at A.J. Kelly Park.
Match stats
Westfield W-League Round 3, Brisbane Roar FC v Canberra United, Sunday, 21 November at AJ Kelly Park
Brisbane Roar FC 0
Canberra United 1 (Sykes 54’)
Half-time: 0-0
Crowd: 1,613
Brisbane Roar FC: 1.Mackenzie ARNOLD (gk), 2.Nina FRAUSING-PEDERSEN, 3.Amy CHAPMAN (Brooke SPENCE 77’), 4.Clare POLKINGHORNE (c), 6.Angela BEARD, 10.Katrina GORRY, 11.Maili FORBES (Allira TOBY 64’), 13.Tameka BUTT (below), 14.Summer O’BRIEN, 17.Emily GIELNIK (Sunny FRANCO 46’), 18.Maddy EVANS
Unused substitutes: 20.Georgina WORTH (gk)
Yellow cards: Katrina GORRY 38’, Summer O’BRIEN 47’
Red cards: Nil
Canberra United: 1.Trudy BURKE (gk), 2.Yukari KINGA, 5.Jenna McCORMICK, 7.Ellie BRUSH, 8.Hayley RASO, 9.Jasmyne SPENCER (Grace MAHER 46’,) 11.Michelle HEYMAN, 12.Hannah BREWER, 13.Celeste BOUREILLE, 14.Ashley SYKES, 22.Stephanie OCHS (Nickoletta FLANNERY 89’)
Unused substitutes: 4. Clare HUNT, 20.Georgia BORIC (gk)
Yellow cards: Nil
Red cards: Nil
Referee: Rachel Mitchenson; Assistant Referee 1: Cameron Fawcett; Assistant Referee 2: Danielle Potticary; Fourth Official: Daniel Olson
