Liberty A-League report: Roar shaded by Victory in entertaining five-goal contest

Shea Connors and Larissa Crummer scored their first goals of the Liberty A-League season as Brisbane Roar pushed Melbourne Victory all the way in a see-sawing 3-2 defeat at Moreton Daily Stadium on Saturday.

Brisbane created a number of chances before the lively Connors halved Victory’s two-goal advantage in the 65th minute and striker Crummer was also quick to respond to the away side’s third, but the comeback ultimately fell just short.

Though empty handed at the final whistle, Garrath McPherson and his team will take heart from the fact they registered 15 shots to 11 and twice the number on target that the reigning champions and current league leaders managed.

That will be the upshot as the Roar get back to work ahead of Thursday’s clash with Canberra United in the nation’s capital.

Shea Connors celebrates her goal (image: Kyoko Kurihara)

GOALS

Melbourne Victory | Lynn Williams (36′)

0-1 – Harriet Withers delivers an excellent cross from the right flank which Williams heads home.

Melbourne Victory | Harriet Withers (46′)

0-2 – Williams returns the favour for Withers, who becomes the beneficiary of a floated cross to the far post.

Brisbane Roar | Shea Connors (65′)

1-2 – Jessie Rasschaert plays a pinpoint pass over the defence for Connors to run onto and slot past Casey Dumont.

Melbourne Victory | Catherine Zimmerman (85′)

1-3 – Williams reates more trouble by breaking into the box and squaring for Zimmerman, who turns the ball into the net with a first-time finish.

Brisbane Roar | Larissa Crummer (90’+3)

2-3 – Released intelligently by Mariel Hecher, Crummer holds off her defender, forces a low save from Dumont and then coolly volleys in the rebound.