Melbourne City FC regained top spot on the Westfield W-League table after coming from behind to beat Brisbane Roar 2-1 in an entertaining contest at A.J Kelly Field on Sunday afternoon.
Starting XI
What happened?
City found themselves trailing for the first time in W-League history when Katrina Gorry capitalised on a defensive error to fire the hosts ahead inside the opening two minutes, but restored parity only moments later through a wonder strike from Jess Fishlock.
Erika Tymrak completed the turnaround with her first City goal in the 25th minute, as Joe Montemurro’s side held on to return to the summit of the W-League table and extend an impressive winning streak to 18 matches.
It was another hard-fought win epitomised by defensive steel and resilience, as City had to recover from a nightmare start after falling behind in the opening stages of the contest.
An errant goal-kick from Lydia Williams was pounced upon by Roar forward Emily Gielnik, who squared back to provide Gorry with the easiest of finishes to fire the hosts into an early lead.
It was the first time City had found themselves behind on the scoreboard in the W-League; an experience which lasted all of four minutes as Fishlock levelled the contest with a moment of brilliance only minutes later.
The Welsh midfielder picked up an excellent forward pass from Tymrak, spun her way past Summer O’Brien and dummied past Nina Frausing before firing a brilliant left-footed effort across Mackenzie Arnold into the bottom corner.
Tameka Butt wasted a glorious chance to restore Brisbane’s advantage when she fired over the crossbar from point blank range, and the hosts would rue their lack of prolificacy as Tymrak opened her W-League account with a long-range strike to give City the lead.
Brisbane piled on the pressure in the second half in search of an equalising goal but were unable to penetrate a resolute City defence led by the commanding Laura Alleway and safe hands of Williams, as Montemurro’s side secured another important away win.
What’s next?
You won’t want to miss this match. City will return to the home comforts of CB Smith Reserve as Joe Montemurro’s side entertains Canberra United in a blockbuster Westfield W-League clash on Saturday 10 December, kick-off at 5pm.
Match Details
Westfield W-League – Round 5
Sunday 4 December 2016
Brisbane Roar 1 (Katrina GORRY 2’)
Melbourne City FC 2 (Jess FISHLOCK 6’, Erika TYMRAK 25’)
HT: 1-2
Venue: A.J Kelly Field, Brisbane
Referee: Kate Jacewicz
Melbourne City FC: 1.Lydia WILLIAMS (gk), 2.Teigen ALLEN, 3.Lauren BARNES, 5.Laura ALLEWAY, 6.Aivi LUIK (14.Melina AYRES 76′), 7.Steph CATLEY (c), 10.Jessica FISHLOCK, 11.Erika TYMRAK, 13.Rebekah STOTT, 15.Amy JACKSON (16.Beverly YANEZ 62′), 17.Marianna TABAIN
Unused substitutes: 19.Tyla-Jay VLAJNIC, 26.Erin HUDSON (gk)
Yellow cards: Lauren BARNES 94′
Red cards: nil
Brisbane Roar: 1.Mackenzie ARNOLD (gk), 2.Nina FRAUSING-PEDERSEN, 3.Amy CHAPMAN, 4.Clare POLKINGHORNE (c), 6.Angela BEARD, 10.Katrina GORRY, 11.Maili FORBES (above) (12.Allira TOBY 46′), 13.Tameka BUTT (5.Brooke SPENCE 88′), 14.Summer O’BRIEN (below), 17.Emily GIELNIK, 18.Maddy EVANS (8.Kaitlyn TORPEY 75′)
Unused substitutes: 20.Georgina WORTH (gk)
Yellow cards: Maili FORBES 34′, Tameka BUTT 86′
Red cards: nil
