Queensland Roar has sent a warning to its opponents in the Westfield W-League semi-finals with a ruthless 6-0 victory over the Newcastle Jets at Wanderers Oval in Newcastle on Saturday afternoon.
Roar forward Tameka Butt picked up a hat-trick with skipper Clare Polkinghorne, Joanne Burgess and Lana Harch also getting on the scoresheet in a dominant display by the Queenslanders.
The win secures third place for the Roar and sets up a tantalising clash with the Central Coast Mariners in next week’s semi-finals, while the Jets end a disappointing campaign finishing in last place without a win all season.
Queensland flexed its muscle from the opening whistle with Polkinghorne poking in a corner at the near post in just the second minute of play.
The visitors were showing too much pace with Burgess finding plenty of space down the right wing and it was her inroads that led to the next two goals, almost in identical fashion. She raced down the flank before crossing to Butt in the box who slotted in the 19th and 26th minute to give the Roar a commanding 3-0 lead at half-time.
Newcastle made some tactical changes to start the second half with Madeline Searl coming on for Hannah Brewer at left back to counter Burgess’ runs while international Stacey Day was pushed into an attacking midfielder role. The switches had some effect as Day and skipper Hayley Crawford sent long-range efforts over the Queensland goal.
But just as it looked the home side might claw their way back into the match Butt picked up her third goal in the 66th minute after good lead-up work through the midfield.
Newcastle’s best chance fell to Caitlin Jarvie in the 70th minute after a lovely through ball from Crawford put her one-on-one with Roar keeper Casey Dumont. But the Queensland skipper did well to smother the ball.
Down the other end Newcastle custodian Alison Logue was getting a workout producing a number of fine saves to keep her side in the match. But she was unable to deny Burgess and Harch firing in goals from inside the penalty area as Queensland confirmed their dominance with an impressive 6-0 drubbing.
Newcastle Jets 0
Queensland Roar 6 (Polkinghorne 2, Butt 19, 26, 66, Burgess 81, Harch 90)
@ Wanderers Oval.
