Brisbane Roar went down 5-3 in a eight-goal thriller at the hands of Melbourne City in Liberty A-League Women’s Round 10 action on Thursday afternoon.
A Mia Corbin brace and Jenna McCormick’s first goal of the season weren’t enough as the league leaders stormed to victory courtesy of an Emina Ekic hat-trick along with goals from Hannah Wilkinson and Rhianna Pollicina.
Roar started strongly and were rewarded in the fourth minute when a Sharn Freier cutback found Corbin unmarked inside the area – who had her initial effort blocked, before slamming home on the rebound.
Two goals in the space of two minutes from Ekic had the hosts ahead by the 22nd minute before Wilkinson bundled home a finish from a corner to hand City a 3-1 half time lead.
Much like they did in the first half, Roar came out of the blocks firing in the second stanza and reduced the deficit through McCormick’s first goal of the season which came via a header on the end of a Hollie Palmer corner.
It took just five minutes for City to reinstate their two-goal lead when Ekic cut in from the right and fired home with her left foot to complete her hat-trick.
Down but not out, Brisbane kept battling and pulled a third goal back when Tameka Yallop forced a turnover high up the pitch, before playing in Corbin who skipped past her marker and slammed home a finish.
Corbin’s second goal of the evening took the American strikers tally to five for the 2023/24 Liberty A-League season.
City rounded out the 5-3 score line in the 75th minute when Rhianna Pollicina converted from the penalty spot.
Thursday’s defeat leaves Brisbane Roar ninth on the ALW ladder ahead of next Sunday’s home clash against Wellington Phoenix at Perry Park.
Speaking post-match, Roar boss Alex Smith said there were positives to take from the contest, especially their pressing, but bemoaned their defensive mistakes.
“Two of our goals from that (pressing), but three goals should be enough to win a game,” he said.
“I’m going to have to look at where we kind of failed on the defensive side of the ball, but again, could have scored a lot more as well.
“A couple of positives to take but disappointment is the overall feeling.”
MATCH DETAILS
Liberty A-League Women 2023/24 – Round 10: Melbourne City v Brisbane Roar
AAMI Park, Melbourne
Thursday, 28 December
Melbourne City – 5 ( Emina EKIC 20′ 22′ 52′, Hannah WILKINSON 35′, Rhianna POLLICINA 75′)
Brisbane Roar – 3 (Mia CORBIN 4′ 72′, Jenna MCCORMICK 47′)
