A stunning strike from attacker Ashlyn Miller has rescued a point late on for Brisbane Roar in their 1-1 draw with Melbourne City at Spencer Park on Tuesday night.
It was a balanced opening thirty minutes, with both sides linking up crisply and holding firm defensively. Neither team could break the other and create real chances on goal.
In the 35th minute, Roar’s Commbank Matilda’s goalkeeper Chloe Lincoln was forced into action, producing a save to deny Chinaza Uchendu, who found space to unleash a powerful strike on goal. Minutes later, Lincoln was called upon again and leapt to parry away a close-range header from Melbourne City captain Rebekah Stott.
Just before half-time, Melbourne City was awarded a penalty after a challenge from Aimee Medwin inside the box. City’s leading goalscorer, Holly McNamara, stepped up and fired the ball into the bottom-right corner to give the visitors the lead heading into the break.
The second half began with a tense battle in midfield, as both teams struggled to hold onto possession.
In the 51st minute, Sharn Freier broke through on the right flank after a well-weighted through ball, but the flag went up for offside.
Minutes later at the other end, Melbourne City threatened from a corner. Lincoln reacted quickly to save Taylor Otto’s close-range volley before the Roar cleared the resulting goalmouth scramble.
The Roar continued to push for an equaliser and in the 71st minute, Alicia Woods delivered a well-placed cross towards a diving Momo Hayashi, who narrowly missed making contact.
In the 87th minute, the Roar were rewarded with a dramatic equaliser. Ashlyn Miller found space just outside the box and drilled a fierce shot that City keeper Malena Mieres got a hand to but couldn’t stop as it flew into the net to make it 1-1.
Neither side could find a winner in stoppage time and the match finished as a hard-fought 1-1 draw.
The Roar face a quick turnaround and will return to Spencer Park on Friday night to take on Canberra United.
MATCH DETAILS
Ninja A-League Women 2025/26 – Round 14: Brisbane Roar FC v Melbourne City FC
Spencer Park, Newmarket
Tuesday, 30 January (KO 7:00pm AEST), LIVE on Paramount+
