Brisbane Roar secured a Westfield W-League home Semi Final and farewelled two favourites in fitting style with a dominant 3-0 win over Newcastle Jets at Lions Stadium on Sunday evening.
Kaitlyn Torpey opened the scoring with her first goal for the Club four minutes before half-time and the lead was quickly doubled by Emily Gielnik moments after the resumption, before Mariel Hecher sealed the result with an 81st-minute strike.
In her last game for Brisbane before heading to Sweden with teammate Clare Polkinghorne, Gielnik’s header equalled Sam Kerr’s record of 13 goals in a single Westfield W-League regular season campaign.
With Head Coach Jake Goodship unable to attend the game due to his wife giving birth, Assistant Coach Kelly Crew once again stepped up to the plate and was delighted with the outcome.
“We probably didn’t start as positively as we wanted to,” she said. “[Newcastle] are a resilient side and we knew that but when we did start finding the solutions the gaps started opening up.”
When asked where the game was won, she made note of the team’s ability not to panic and to wait for the right moment.
“Patience with the ball was key,” Crew said. “Once we started to enjoy possession and switch the ball a bit more we started creating opportunities and won the mid-third and final third.
“We did have other chances but that happens in a game. The girls know that as long as we are doing the right thing [the goals] will come.”
The loss of Gielnik and Polkinghorne is sure to have an impact but Crew is convinced the side has enough in the squad to counter their absence.
“We have an awesome squad. Everyone’s been working hard since day one so the girls who are going to be vying for those positions are fantastic in their own right.”
While Brisbane’s opponents are yet to be confirmed, a home Semi Final awaits next weekend which the team is looking forward to and approaching professionally.
“This week will be exciting,” Crew added. “It’s a bit of a different vibe in the Finals Series but again we just take it one game at a time. A home Semi Final is what we wanted so now we are focused on that game and getting the win.”
Semi Final match details will be confirmed following the season-ending fixture between Sydney FC and Melbourne Victory on Wednesday night.
GOALS
Brisbane Roar – Torpey 41’ – 1-0
A sublime Tameka Yallop cross to the far post is expertly headed back across the area for Torpey who smashes home from the edge of the six yard box.
Brisbane Roar – Gielnik 47’ – 2-0
Hecher swings in a near post corner from the left. Gielnik is first to the ball, smartly heading the ball backwards and into the net.
Brisbane Roar – Hecher 81’ – 3-0
Leticia McKenna fires in a corner. Polkinghorne nods it down for Hecher who flicks the ball past the keeper from close range.
MATCH DETAILS
Westfield W-League 2021 Round 14: Brisbane Roar vs Newcastle Jets
Lions Stadium, Brisbane
Sunday 28th March
Brisbane Roar 3 (Torpey 41’, Gielnik 47’, Hecher 81’)
Newcastle Jets 0
Half-time: 1-0
