Our Roar Women have walked away from Marconi Stadium with all three points following a 1-0 win against Western Sydney Wanderers on Sunday afternoon.
It was the Roar’s sixth straight victory against the Wanderers, as the Roar Women continued on from where they left off on the road during Season 2017/18.
Brisbane was pressured from the kick-off by the home side, with the Wanderers pressing high and testing the Roar’s defence.
“An away trip in Sydney against the Wanderers on a Sunday afternoon is always a tough task – we weathered their fast start and worked our way into the contest,” Head Coach Mel Andreatta added.
While the home side pushed hard in the early exchanges, it was the Roar who broke the deadlock in the 39th minute with a Carson Pickett free-kick finding the back of the net from just outside the area.
“It was a well planned, and perfectly taken set piece by Carson at a crucial time in the contest,” Andreatta continued.
MUST SEE: Carson Pickett’s match-winning strike
The goal is Pickett’s second of the season and continues her 100% scoring record in meetings with Western Sydney.
Momentum followed what was a positive finish to the first half with Mel Andreatta’s side testing Jada Whyman in goal with well-timed strikes from Katrina Gorry and Chioma Ubogagu.
One of Australia’s finest shot-stoppers in Mackenzie Arnold showed her expertise in an outstanding first game back in orange, denying Western Sydney with a number of top saves, and eventually claiming her first clean sheet of the campaign which pleased Brisbane’s Head Coach.
“It was great to have Macca (Mackenzie) back in our lineup. She was instrumental, along with our backline in protecting our lead,” Andreatta said.
“We are continuing to improve as a group and four points from the opening two matches is a positive start to our new campaign as we head into the international break.
“We will use this time over the coming weeks to improve key areas of our game and prepare well for our home match against Adelaide.”
The Roar once again showed off their youth bringing on BRFC NTC product Indiah-Paige Riley for her Westfield W-League debut during the second half.
“On behalf of the Club, I’d like to congratulate Indi on making her league debut. It’s a special achievement and we are all proud of her progress,” Andreatta stated.
The home side tested Arnold one final time as the final whistle drew near, but the visitors held on for a first win of Season 11 ahead of next week’s international break.
The Roar Women are back in action on Sunday, 18 November at Lions Stadium against Adelaide United (KO 3:00pm).
STORY OF THE GAME
- Head Coach Mel Andreatta made two changes to her side for the Round 2 contest against the Wanderers with goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold and young gun Kaitlyn Torpey starting for the Roar Women.
- American defender Carson Pickett continued her fine goalscoring form with a cheeky free-kick catching Jada Whyham off guard at the near post and hitting the back-of-the-net late in the opening half.
- After committing her long-term future to the Club during the week, Mackenzie Arnold was outstanding in her first appearance in 2018/19 for the girls in Orange.
- 16-year-old Indiah-Paige Riley made her Westfield W-League debut off the bench for the Roar Women after returning from Young Matildas duty during the week.
- Brisbane remains undefeated after two rounds of the Westfield W-League 2018/19 season heading into next weekend’s international break.
GOALS
Brisbane Roar – Pickett 39′ – 0-1
Carson Pickett steps up and curls her free-kick around the Wanderers wall and into the back-of-the-net for back-to-back goals to start the new campaign.
MATCH DETAILS
Westfield W-League 2018/19 – Round 2: Western Sydney Wanderers vs Brisbane Roar FC
Marconi Stadium, Sydney
Sunday, 4 November 2018
Western Sydney Wanderers 0
Brisbane Roar 1 (Pickett 39′)
Half-time: 0-1
