A dominant 4-1 away win over Melbourne Victory has sent Brisbane Roar Women to the top of the Westfield W-League ladder for the first time this season.
A double to prolific midfielder Tameka Butt, a third in as many games for newest Roar recruit Lisa De Vanna and Emily Gielnik-s first strike of the season sealed the win for Jeff Hopkins- side despite a second half consolation goal for the Victory.
Brisbane dominated the early proceedings and had their reward in the 23rd minute when Butt latched onto an ideal long ball from skipper Clare Polkinghorne and slotted cleanly past Victory ‘keeper Melissa Barberi to give the Roar a deserved lead.
Elise Kellond-Knight was the architect two minutes later, delivering an inch-perfect cross for Butt to control and hit past Barbieri from close range, bringing the 19-year-old-s goal tally for the season to five.
The Roar started the second half in the same fashion they opened the game but against the run of play, saw their two goal buffer decreased after quick thinking on the behalf of Melbourne-s Caitlin Friend.
After indecision within the Brisbane defence, the young striker was able to the ball into an empty net but late goals to substitutes De Vanna and Gielnik ensured the three points belonged to the Roar.
The win means Brisbane leapfrog Sydney FC into prime spot on the Westfield W-League ladder with their unbeaten run in the league stretched to four matches.
Melbourne Victory 1 (Caitlin FRIEND 65-)
Brisbane Roar 4 (Tameka BUTT 23-/25-, Lisa DE VANNA 72-, Emily GIELNIK 81-)
Saturday, 4 December 2010
AAMI Park, Melbourne
Referee: Peta McCallum
Assistant referees: Danielle Anderson and Amanda Muldoon
Fourth official: Liz Hyland
Melbourne Victory line-up: 1.Melissa BARBIERI (gk) (c), 2. Rita MANKOWSKA, 6. Maika RUYTER-HOOLEY, 7. Snez VELJANOVSKA (19. Enza BARILLA 84-), 8. Ella MASTRANTONIO, 9. Stephanie CATLEY, 10. Jodie TAYLOR (5. Louisa BISBY 46-), 11. Kendall FLETCHER, 12. Amy JACKSON, 13. Ashley BROWN (18. Ursula HUGHSON 57-), 17. Caitlin FRIEND
Substitutes not used: 20. Brianna DAVEY (GK)
Yellow cards: Nil
Red cards: Nil
Brisbane Roar line-up: 1. Casey Dumont (gk), 3. Karla REUTER, 4. Clare POLKINGHORNE (C), 5. Brooke SPENCE, 6. Kim CARROLL, 7. Joanne BURGESS (2. Laura ALLEWAY 83-), 8. Elise KELLOND-KNIGHT (17. Emily GIELNIK 77-), 10. Lana HARCH (19. Lisa DE VANNA 59-), 11. Aivi LUIK, 13. Tameka BUTT, 16. Lauren COLTHORPE
Substitutes not used: 20. Kate STEWART (gk)
Yellow cards: Nil
Red cards: Nil
