Brisbane Roar 1-1 Melbourne City
By Kieran Yap 20/1/26
Above: Ashlyn Miller celebrates her goalPhoto: Brisbane Roar.
Ashlyn Miller has rescued a point for Brisbane Roar in a very late comeback against Melbourne City.
Holly McNamara scored from the spot to give the visitors a first half lead after Aideen Keane was awarded a controversial penalty, and City looked set to leave Spencer Park with three points until Miller’s goal secured a draw in the final minutes.
In the continued absence of Leah Davidson and Laura Hughes, City started Karly Roestbakken in midfield. With Danella Butrus missing through concussion protocol, Bryleeh Henry returned to the starting lineup following her full return to fitness.
Despite the missing stars, City still controlled the early stages of the game, although Kijah Stephenson gave the visitors a scare when she almost skipped clear of Alexia Apostolakis.
A series of cross from City threatened Brisbane’s defence, but to no avail and Momo Hayashi responded with a long range effort that Milena Mieres was able to comfortably collect.
The game changed in the 41st minute when Aideen Keane turned on the edge of the area and Aimee Medwin made faint contact. The referee pointed to the spot despite the protests of the home side and McNamara took the chance to send her side into the break with a 1-0 lead.
Brisbane enjoyed more attacking play in the second half, but both sides defences were able to hold firm. The introduction of Kiera Meyers and Miller added some extra spark for Roar. Miller’s volleyed attempt brought the crowd to life, but Leticia McKenna was in the right place to block the goal bound effort.
Brisbane’s support were in uproar when a flicked effort on goal appeared to have struck a City defenders hand. To their frustration the call was denied and the score remained at 1-0, but the home side had the momentum as the match entered the final 10 minutes of regular time.
When the goal finally arrived, it did not feel undeserved, but City might feel unlucky nonetheless. Alicia Woods forced the ball forward and Miller got the short away. It squirms through the outstretched hands of Mieres to level the scores in the 87th minute.
The drama was not over as City surged to regain the lead. Shelby McMahon fashioned the best chance with a cross that fell for McNamara and then Danielle Turner, but Chloe Lincoln was aggressive off her line to clear.
The result feels like an escape for Brisbane, but they may feel aggrieved over the harsh penalty. For City, it will feel like a missed opportunity to re-establish themselves as league leaders after a disappointing result last week against Newcastle at home.
Brisbane have three days to resset before they host the high flying Canberra United. Melbourne City have an extrs days rest, but face the long trip to Perth, where they face a resurgent Glory side that has become formidable at home.
Teams: MELBOURNE CITY (4-4-2): Mieres, Turner, Otto, Stott, Apostolakis, Henry, Roestbakken, McKenna, Keane, Uchendu, McNamara. Substitutes: Jackson, Mcmahon, Wilson, Barbieri, Rako, Jugovic.
Goals: McNamara 42’.
BRISBANE ROAR (4-4-2): Lincoln, Medwin, Piazza, Varley, Seidl, Stephenson, Hayashi, Woods, Freier, Jansen, Brown. Substitutes: Meyers, Miller, Studer, Kinsella, Franco, Cuthbert.
Goals: Miller 87’.
Referee: Izzy Cooper.
Attendance: TBC.
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