Western Sydney Wanderers 1-3 Brisbane Roar
by Callum Logie (27/1/24)
Above: Brisbane Roar celebrate a goal against the Western Sydney Wanderers. Photo: Brisbane Roar.
Marconi Stadium hosted an encounter between two sides on different sides of the table as Brisbane Roar managed to take some momentum from the Western Sydney Wanderers.
The Wanderers came in off a crucial 2-1 away draw against the Central Coast Mariners while Brisbane came off a 0-0 away draw against Perth Glory.
Western Sydney Wanderers’ line-up was unchanged as the in-form Holly Caspers held an attacking midfield role behind Sophie Harding and Maliah Morris. The Wanderers went with three central defenders, Victoria Bruce and Madison McComasky joining captain Amy Harrison.
On the other side, Brisbane kept the same starting line-up from the Perth fixture with Ruby Cuthbert getting the second consecutive start at the back for the Roar. The dangerous trio of Kijah Stephenson, Tameka Yallop, and Mia Corbin formed a narrow attacking three for the visitors
An early corner for the Wanderers tested Jordan Silkowitz in goal as a looping cross from Alexia Apostolakis almost found itself in the net before the Roar cleared. The Wanderers implemented a high press which gave them strong territory in the first 10 minutes of the game.
At eight minutes, Olivia Price played a clever ball through to the right side of the box which released Maliah Morris. The forward was caught in two minds and ultimately played a mix of a cross and a shot that Silkowitz was able to deal with handily.
Against the run of play at 10 minutes, a sublime pass from the center circle by Tameka Yallop was weighted perfectly to a running Kijah Stephenson who rounded the charging Kaylie Collins and put away the chance into an empty net. 1-0 to Brisbane despite the game being dominated by the Wanderers.
Maliah Morris had a chance in the 22nd minute, set up by a short lop by Caspers, Morris moved the ball to her left foot before striking a low-driven effort. Silkowitz was well positioned and collected what was Wanderers’ best chance up to that point.
At 25 minutes, Sharn Freier sent in a very dangerous cross that beat all the players in the middle of the box but ultimately fell for a half-volley at the feet of Deborah-Ann de la Harpe. De La Harpe struck the shot well but straight at the keeper Collins who was able to collect possession.
Two minutes later, Freier tested Collins again with a very similar chance to the previous, just in the reverse as de la Harpe’s long cross found Freier who got a good look at goal. Collins covered her near post well.
The subsequent break should’ve been the equaliser as an athletic run from Harding rounded the keeper and left a two-on-one between herself and Morris with Holly McQueen. Morris took the shot off of Harding’s dribble which rattled the crossbar and kept the Roar in front, a visibly frustrated Harding in disbelief that the ball didn’t find the back of the net.
The pressure and territory from the Wanderers did eventually find them the equaliser at 38 minutes. A long ball released Morris who cut inside and played the ball across to Harding who cleverly squared the ball across to Holly Caspers who continued her scoring streak, finishing clinically past Silkowitz.
Just before halftime, a ball was played over the defence again which set Harding one-on-one with Silkowitz. Silkowitz sprinted toward the forward and was able to dive and pick up the ball before Harding could get a shot away. This lead to a Brisbane breakaway with Corbin putting a left-footed looped shot over the bar after running wide from Collins on the run.
The second half started with a bang, a clever ball across to Freier by Stephenson led to a shot at goal which was at Collins. Collins spilled the effort however and Yallop ran in to convert and give the Roar another lead in the second half. The Wanderers peppered two near-post efforts in response, substitute Melissa Caceres almost equalising.
In the 52nd minute, Brisbane were pushing forward and Mia Corbin won a corner. The subsequent delivery led to a scramble in the box and the deflection found its way to the opportunistic Corbin who was able to put away the chance and double the Roar’s advantage.
At 63 minutes, the Wanderers won a free kick on the edge of the box after a slightly clumsy challenge by de la Harpe. Amy Harrison stuck the free kick firmly but was unable to get the ball on target. Another opportunity missed for the Wanderers who were running out of time.
Apostolakis’ corners were on point throughout the match as the centre-back McComasky headed just over the bar from a well-placed corner in the 73rd minute. The Wanderers were continuing to hunt for a route back into the game but the defence of the roar stood firm in the second half.
Yallop took a couple of shots in the later stages of the second half but Collins proved equal to those efforts. The Roar focused on holding possession once they took the two-goal lead, but were still able to create a couple of chances.
The first half was extremely competitive, with the Wanderers creating many chances and showing why they’ve performed so well this season. However, the Roar were able to maintain a strong shape and create quality chances, especially early in the second half which allowed for such a solid result.
The recovery of the Roar’s season continues to this result whereas the Wanderers will need to bounce back if they’re able to fulfil their high hopes for this season.
Teams: WESTERN SYDNEY WANDERERS (5-3-2): Collins, Matos, Bruce, Harrison, McComasky, Rue, Price, Apostalakis, Caspers, Morris, Harding Substitutes: Khamis, Ferris, Chessari, Younis, Caceres.
Scorers: Caspers 39′.
BRISBANE ROAR (3-4-2-1): Silkowitz, Cuthbert, McCormick, McQueen, Freier, Palmer, Norrie, De La Harpe, Yallop, Stephenson, Corbin. Substitutes: Richards, Levin, Kirkup, Davies, Hecher.
Scorers: Stephenson 11′, Yallop 58′, Corbin 52′.
Referee: Caitlin Williams.
Attendance: TBC.
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