Brisbane Roar completed another cracking Liberty A-League comeback by coming from two goals down to snare a 3-2 victory over Wellington Phoenix on Sunday.
Katrina Gorry’s successful 87th-minute penalty put the seal on a hard-earned three points as Garrath McPherson’s overturned a two-goal deficit for the second time in three games.
Alyssa Whinham and Grace Jale had given the hosts a handy cushion inside 25 minutes but Mariel Hecher halved the margin with a well-judged finish before the interval.
A double-change at half-time then paid immediate dividends as substitute Cannon Clough supplied the cross from which Larissa Crummer equalised just seconds after the restart.
And having applied intense pressure in warm conditions, the Roar gained reward for effort when a foul on Jessie Rasschaert enabled Gorry to step up and convert the winner.
With a second win on the board, Brisbane are now into seventh and targeting further progress up the ladder.
GOALS
Wellington Phoenix | Alyssa Whinham (19′)
1-0 – Wellington force a turnover and eventually work the ball to Whinham, who curls a finish inside the far post with her left foot.
Wellington Phoenix | Grace Jale (24′)
2-0 – An inswinging corner is handed in at close range by Jale.
Brisbane Roar | Mariel Hecher (34′)
2-1 – Larissa Crummer wins possession high up and frees Hecher, who strides clean through and finishes coolly into the bottom corner.
Brisbane Roar | Larissa Crummer (46′)
2-2 – Brisbane make a flying start to the second half as Clough tracks down Gorry’s excellent through ball and delivers a dangerous low cross, which breaks perfectly for Crummer to sweep home.
Brisbane Roar | Katrina Gorry (87′)
2-3 – Rasschaert attacks a Roar corner and is fouled by Ava Pritchard as she shapes to shoot. Gorry steps up and sends the goalkeeper the wrong way from the resultant spot-kick.
MATCH DETAILS
Liberty A-League
Wellington Phoenix v Brisbane Roar
Sunday, 16 January 2022
WIN Stadium
Wellington Phoenix 2 (Whinham 19′ Jale 24′)
Brisbane Roar 3 (Hecher 34′ Crummer 46′ Gorry p.87′)
