Brisbane Roar have broken their season duck with a 2-1 victory over Adelaide United at Burton Park on Saturday.
Brisbane Roar have broken their season duck with a 2-1 victory over Adelaide United at Burton Park on Saturday.
Clara Polkinghorne’s long-range gem closing in on half-time set the visitors on their way before Ashley Spina’s header in the 63rd minute found the back of the net and ensured United, gallant as they were, would remain without a point and at the bottom of the ladder.
Neither side showed any real aggression or urgency early, the conservative approach from both camps indicative of their respective standings on the table.
A couple of neat saves from Roar keeper Hoshimi Kishi, who replaced the suspended Casey Dumont, denied the Lady Reds when they looked like mounting something early.
Racheal Quigley’s low shot attempt in the 30th minute slewed just wide to the left.
The home side had another chance when striker Marijana Rajcic’s diving lunge at goal five minutes later forced Roar defender Laura Alleway to nod it over the crossbar for an Adelaide corner.
At the other end, Brisbane made no mistake when Polkinghorne scored from 25m out in the 38th minute, her shot deflecting over the outstretched reach of United custodian Kristi Harvey and into the back of the net.
Polkinghorne almost made it a brace when her well-connected hit in the 41st minute forced Harvey into a diving save, but the visitors still led 1-0 at half-time.
The Lady Reds had an early opportunity to equalise in the second half, but Donna Cockayne’s right cross in the 47th minute was calmly pouched by Kishi.
Otherwise, the Roar continued to hold sway and extended their lead in the 63rd minute, courtesy of Ashley Spina.
Emily Gielnik’s close-range shot beat Harvey but rebounded off the right-hand upright.
Brisbane retained possession off the richochet and Spina headed it to the left of the busy Harvey, diving in vain the other way, to fashion a two-goal buffer to the Roar.
Adelaide got one back when Kishi fumbled a cross, allowing Rajcic to finish off into an open goal in the 76th minute.
Cockayne fluffed a prime chance to make it 2-2 when she mishit a cross to the right with an open goal beckoning.
Both sides gave it everything in the dying minutes, tackling, running and attacking hard, but despite the Lady Reds pressing and creating numerous chances, the Roar – with Kishi earning her keep with a swag of terrific saves – wouldn-t be denied.
Adelaide United 1 (Rajcic 76)
Brisbane Roar 2 (Polkinghorne 38, Spina 63)
@ Burton Park, 12/11/2011
