Emily Gielnik scored her first goal in Brisbane Roar colours since February 2018 in an enterprising 1-1 draw with Newcastle Jets on Sunday.
Westfield Matildas star Gielnik applied a tidy finish past Jets ‘keeper Claire Coelho in the second half to cancel out Tara Andrews’ first half opener: the Newcastle striker’s third goal in as many matches.
A hectic finale saw Coelho and Brisbane number one Georgina Worth pull off big saves but neither side could find a winner.
Brisbane become the first team in Westfield W-League history to draw four consecutive matches, while Newcastle also remain winless this season.
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Key moments
Former Roar player Sunny Franco was in the thick of the action early at McDonald Jones Stadium by streaking away down the right hand side for the Jets before striking the left post when shooting across goal, and steering the rebound on the outside of the right post.
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Having been denied twice by the woodwork in quick succession, Newcastle deservedly hit the front through their in-form all-time leading goalscorer. Lauren Allan did not give up on a ball seemingly destined for a goal kick and arched a lovely cross into the centre that Andrews expertly guided back across ‘keeper Worth by Andrews on 15 minutes.
It was the striker’s third consecutive consecutive goal in as many games, having also found the net against Western Sydney Wanderers and Sydney FC.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514572001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6223535486001
Roar did have chances of their own. Gielnik’s hunt to end her goal drought continued temporarily, after the Westfield Matildas attacker curled an effort wide of the post and also headed over in the opening half. Rosie Sutton, meanwhile, shot into the arms of Claire Coelho after Leticia McKenna stole the ball away from the Jets on halfway.
Having put the Jets defence on guard in the first half, Gielnik only needed one invitation to pull Jake Goodship’s side level in the second. A strong flick on from Sutton released the ex-Bundesliga forward into vacant space behind the Jets defence where the Westfield Matilda applied an unerring finish beyond Coelho.
It was Gielink’s first goal in Roar colours since February 2018.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514572001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6223540702001
The confidence was flowing for Roar following Gielnik’s equaliser, while the introduction of former Sophie Harding helped Newcastle get back on top. The former NW Sydney gun was hugely positive after entering the fray and required a couple of excellent interventions from Clare Polkinghorne to deny her a clear route on goal.
The two teams had great chances to break the deadlock as the encounter headed for a grandstand finish.
Another chance went begging for Franco, after Harding had initially stumbled over the ball when through on goal before teeing up the Queenslander, whose lob was off target.
Meanwhile, Coelho came up with two excellent saves to push away Mariel Hecher’s shot across goal and get down low to Gielnik’s effort after the Australian international drove into the box.
Not to be outdone by her counterpart, Worth made a stunning save to tip Harding’s powerful drive out for a corner
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514572001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6223540384001
READ: Sydney FC go top after brushing Wanderers aside
Ways to watch
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