An Emily Gielnik hat-trick has helped Brisbane Roar towards a confidence-boosting win over the Lady Reds.
Brisbane Roar looked a class above Adelaide United in their W-League clash at AJ Kelly Fields on Saturday afternoon, recording a crushing 6-2 victory.
Adelaide saved face somewhat with two second half goals, through Kristy Moore and Racheal Quigley, though the match was over as a contest by that stage.
Brisbane were three up at half time, with a goal from Amy Chapman and an Emily Gielnik double. Vedrana Popovic and Tamika Butt joined them on the scoresheet in the second half, before Gielnik capped the blistering performance with her third goal.
The ever-reliable Chapman got the first on 20 minutes. Elise Kellond-Knight crossed from the left and Gielnik’s shot hit the near post before Chapman tapped home the rebound.
Three minutes later, the home side doubled their lead through Gielnik. The powerful number 17 got on the end of a perfectly lofted ball from Laura Alleway out of defence before putting in a weak-looking shot that did just enough to dribble past Kristi Harvey in the United goal and find the corner.
On 35 minutes, Gielnik nabbed a second, this time as a result of delightful Roar build up through the middle. Tamika Butt played the final ball and Gielnik’s classy finish made it 3-0.
Adelaide struggled to create chances as a tenacious Roar defence kept the visitors to a handful of shots from distance.
Brisbane went into the break with a big lead, having completely dominating the opening stanza, and the second half continued in the same vein.
One of the Roar’s best, Vedrana Popovic re-opened the floodgates in the 58th minute, cracking in a superb shot from outside the box.
Three minutes later Butt made it five for Brisbane, drilling home a Gielnik cross from the right.
Soon after, Adelaide pulled one back through Kristy Moore, who capped off a rapid counter attack with a fine solo run and finish.
United had a second after 77 minutes, with Racheal Quigley getting on the end of an Ann Mayo cross.
Roar still had the better of the play, though they switched off at the back somewhat.
Moore and Sarah McLaughlin were both allowed to slice through and smash shots against the crossbar before Gielnik completed her hat-trick in injury time with a lovely lob over Harvey to notch an imposing score of 6-2 by the final whistle.
Brisbane Roar 6 (Amy Chapman 20, Emily Gielnik 23, 35, 90+3, Vedrana Popovic 58, Tamika Butt 61)
Adelaide United 2 (Kristy Moore 65, Racheal Quigley 77)
Brisbane Roar: 2. Laura Alleway, 3. Amy Chapman (15. Hannah Beard 72), 4. Clare Polkinghorne (c), 5. Brooke Spence (6. Ashley Spina 59), 7. Erika Elze, 8. Elise Kellond-Knight, 11. Vedrana Popovic (10. Lana Harch 65), 13. Tameka Butt,17. Emily Gielnik, 18. Kate Stewart (gk), 19. Katrina Gorry
Adelaide United: 1. Kristi Harvey, 2. Ruth Wallace (14. Lorena Maggio 70), 4. Jessie Wharepouri (3. Alex Natoli 57), 5. Abby Erceg (c), 6. Cassandra Tsoumbris, 8. Sarah McLaughlin, 13. Ann Mayo, 15. Emma Checker, 16. Jessica Waterhouse, 18. Georgia Macri (7. Racheal Quigley 52), 23. Kristy Moore
