Brisbane Roar have strengthened their grip on the W-League ladder with their fourth win of the season, trouncing Adelaide United 3-1 at Hindmarsh Stadium despite playing the second half with 10 players.
All goals came in an action-packed first half that also saw the Roar’s Karla Reuter sent off for lashing out at her opponent just after the half hour mark.
Although the Lady Reds had the numerical advantage, they were unable to mount any real fightback in the second half, with the visitors maintaining control and rarely looking in danger of giving up their 2-goal lead.
United remain bottom of the table, yet to record a point after losing all of their six fixtures this season.
Brisbane took an early lead, opening the scoring in the fifth minute courtesy of a set piece.
The free kick was floated in from the left and Roar midfielder Kim Carroll was left unmarked in the box and neatly headed past the outrushing keeper, Kristi Harvey, who was left stranded.
Brisbane continued to attack and looked likely to find the back of the net again, as Adelaide struggled in midfield without suspended enforcer Katrina Gorry.
Elise Kellond-Knight almost doubled the Roar’s lead as the visitors carved open United’s defence.
Brisbane pressed forward and found themselves with a spare player in the box after Kellond-Knight was teed up by her team-mate.
Harvey managed to get a hand to Kellond-Knight’s powerful shot from 10 metres before acting United captain Ashleigh Gunning cleared off the line.
The Lady Reds eventually found their rhythm and enjoyed a purple patch but lacked the cutting edge to finish some well orchestrated moves.
The hosts did manage to equalise though, after a period of sustained pressure with Selin Kuralay finishing a slick counter.
Rachel Quigley collected in the midfield for the Reds before switching play out to the right for Victoria Balomenos who whipped a ball into the box.
The cross eluded everyone and fell to Kuralay, who smashed her shot past Roar keeper Casey Dumont and into the back of the net, albeit after taking a deflection.
Roar though responded in the best possible fashion, with Kellond-Knight getting on the score sheet after more loose checking from United.
Brisbane broke forward with speed and again found space on the right with Kellond-Knight getting on the end of a cut-back to blast home from inside the penalty area.
Minutes later the Roar were reduced to 10 players when Reuter was sent off for lashing out at her opponent, but the visitors were still able to extend their lead.
Brisbane again capitalised on slack marking from the Lady Reds with Lauren Colthorpe converting Kellond-Knight’s free kick to make it 3-1.
Chances were few and far between after half-time with the Roar thwarting any United attack and almost managing to score a fourth right at the death.
Substitute Lisa De Vanna got in behind the Lady Reds defence and raced towards goal bet her shot was saved by Harvey.
