Queensland Roar are at the top of the Westfield W-League courtesy of a stunning 5-0 rout of the Central Coast Mariners at Sydney’s Campbelltown Stadium.
The Mariners gave as good as they got in the first half and were only behind at the break due to a Clare Polkinghorne goal, before the Roar ran riot in a dominant second half display.
Lana Harch, Elise Kellond-Knight, substitute Stephanie Latham and a penalty from Lauren Colthorpe completed the rout.
It was an impressive 45-minute spell from the Roar who appeared to have hit the kind of form that vindicates those pundits who have earmarked the Queenslanders as title favourites.
The Mariners though could have taken the lead within seconds of the opening whistle with Kyah Simon getting behind the defence but her firmly struck effort was too close to goalkeeper Casey Dumont who made a fine stop.
The scoring commenced after 12 minutes with defender Clare Polkinghorne gleefully drilling a loose ball home from close range after a corner.
On the back of a two-goal haul in the Mariners last home match, Renee Rollason curled an effort that appeared goal bound before being spectacularly held by Roar goalkeeper Dumont.
The Mariners continued to put some good moves together with notably Simon and Gill Foster combining to set up Rollason but the latter couldn’t not finish a sharp chance from 15 metres.
The floodgates though opened 20 minutes into the second half with Harch scoring with a textbook header from Polkinghorne’s cross from the right flank.
Just two minutes latter the lead was further extended with young striker Courtney Beutel fouled after a defensive mix-up with Colthorpe converting from the penalty spot.
Emma-Kate Dewhurst produced a marvellous reflex save to keep the score at three, denying Kellond-Knight who fired impressively on goal.
The Mariners were still pushing forward creating some opportunities around the Roar goal with Simon always looking dangerous.
The Roar took their lead to four with Dewhurst not able to keep Kellond-Knight’s long-range effort from crossing the goal line.
The scoring was comopleted a minute from time with substitute Latham crashing home another impressive strike from distance.
Roar coach Jeff Hopkins described the second half of the season as his side’s best performance of the season.
“In the second half we created a lot of chances and we finished them off really well, and that is the pleasing thing,” he said.
Match Details
Central Coast Mariners 0
Queensland Roar 5 (Clare Polkinghorne 12′, Lana Harch 66′, Lauren
Colthorpe 68′, Elise Kellond-Knight 80′, Stephanie Latham 89′)
Campbelltown Stadium
Referee: Kate Jacewicz
Central Coast Mariners line-up: Emma-Kate DEWHURST (gk); Caitlin
COOPER (c), Lyndsay GLOHE (Ellyse PERRY 81′), Rachael DOYLE, Jodie
BAIN, Teresa POLIAS, Renee ROLLASON, Kyah SIMON, Gill FOSTER (Britt
SIMMONS 85′), Trudy CAMILLERI (Stephanie HAIM 63′), Elizabeth O’REILLY
Substitutes Not Used: 30.Katie DALY (gk)
Cautions: Trudy CAMILLERI 52′
Queensland Roar line-up: Casey DUMONT (gk); Kate MCSHEA (c), Karla
REUTER (Stephanie LATHAM 82′), Clare POLKINGHORNE, Brooke SPENCE, Kim
CARROL, Elise KELLOND-KNIGHT (Ellen BEAUMONT 82′), Alicia FERGUSON,
Lana HARCH, Lauren COLTHORPE, Courtney BEUTEL (Ruth BLACKBURN 72′)
Substitutes Not Used: 20.Lara BOON (gk)
Cautions: nil
