Melbourne City delivered a performance full of resilience and attacking flair to overcome an early two-goal deficit and defeat Brisbane Roar 5–2 on Sunday afternoon at ctrl:cyber Pitch.
With five different goalscorers and a dominant response after a slow start, City bounced back emphatically from back-to-back defeats, reigniting momentum ahead of next weekend’s Melbourne Derby.
TEAM NEWS
Michael Matricciani made two changes to the starting XI from City’s mid-week clash, with Holly McNamara and Leticia McKenna returning to the starting team.
McNmara and McKenna’s inclusions saw Karly Roestbakken and Chinaza Uchendu move to the bench.
In a huge attacking boost for City, young gun Danella Butrus made her return to the match day squad via the bench after missing with concussion, replacing the injured Ellie Wilson.
Starting XI: 24. Malena MIERES (GK), 8. Alexia APOSTOLAKIS, 13. Rebekah STOTT (C), 5. Taylor OTTO, 3. Dan TURNER, 6. Leticia McKENNA, 11. Deven JACKSON, 12. Shelby McMAHON, 21. Aideen KEANE, 22. Bryleeh HENRY, 9. Holly MCNAMARA.
Substitutes: 23. Melissa BARBIERI (GK), 16. Karly ROESTBAKKEN, 15. Chinaza UCHENDU, 17. Kaya JUGOVIC, 20. Caitlin KARIC, 7. Danella BUTRUS.
WHAT HAPPENED?
In warm conditions, it was Brisbane Roar who made the faster start. Kijah Stephenson capitalised on two early defensive errors to net a rapid-fire brace, scoring in the 8th and 13th minutes to stun the home crowd and put the visitors 2–0 ahead.
Despite the rocky start, City didn’t panic. Regaining control of possession and building momentum, the hosts started to create chances through Holly McNamara and Aideen Keane.
McNamara twice went close, first setting up Keane with a dangerous cutback and then firing over an open goal from distance.
With her side chasing the game, captain Rebekah Stott stepped up. In the 36th minute, Leticia McKenna’s corner was nodded back across goal by McNamara, allowing Stott to head home from close range and halve the deficit – a true skipper’s goal to drag City back into the contest.
Sensing a shift in energy, City continued to press and were rewarded four minutes before the break.
Deven Jackson found Bryleeh Henry, who slipped through a precise pass to McNamara. The Golden Boot leader rounded Brisbane keeper Chloe Lincoln and coolly slotted home the equaliser to make it 2–2 at half-time.
The momentum continued immediately after the restart. Just three minutes into the second half, McNamara burnt her marker down the left, cut inside and found Henry at the back post. The winger adjusted beautifully, cutting onto her left foot and finishing with confidence for her first goal of the season to make it 3–2.
City’s dominance was on full display as the half wore on.
On 69 minutes, goalkeeper Malena Mieres launched a superb long ball to Keane, who did well to hold off her marker with a brilliant one-on-one battle before laying it off to Jackson. The midfielder lashed home her first A-League goal of the season with a clinical finish that gave the keeper no chance.
There was time for one more. In the 82nd minute, Aideen Keane put the icing on the cake, curling a beautiful effort into the far corner to complete the comeback in style, City’s fifth goal of the day, and their fifth different goalscorer.
Matricciani also handed Danella Butrus a late cameo off the bench, marking her return from concussion and adding further depth to City’s attacking stocks.
WHAT’S NEXT?
City now turn their attention to one of the biggest fixtures of the season: the Melbourne Derby.
They’ll travel to face Melbourne Victory on Sunday 15 February at the Home of the Matildas, looking to build on Sunday’s emphatic win and continue the winning momentum.
