Brisbane Roar jumped to equal top of the Westfield W-League table and ended Canberra United’s winning streak as Tameka Butt’s goal gave them a 1-0 win at McKellar Park on Sunday.
The visitors looked fresh early coming off their bye week, and started strongly. Hayley Raso caused problems down the right for United, and her crosses were troubling the home defence.
But the hosts soon settled and looked to counter, with Ellie Carpenter playing well in a new midfield role.
Haley Kopmeyer somehow saved from Wai Ki-Cheung as it appeared harder to miss than score for the forward, and United retained parity. United had chances of their own through Elise Thorsnes and Michelle Heyman, but were unable to make good with the final touch.
Thorsnes switched with Nicki Flannery on the left to drop deeper and shore up the defence, while allowing Flannery to run forward.
The sides remained goalless at the break, and Heather Garriock brought on Amy Sayer to replace Grace Maher for the second half.
Wai Ki-Cheung made a break early but was flagged for offside, as the Roar stated their intent once more to begin the half.
Kopmeyer was again at her best as Celeste Boureille loaded and fired from the edge of the area, diving low to her right to bat away the effort.
Ash Sykes did well to lose her marker and make headway into the box only to send her shot over the bar, as United otherwise struggled to create chances.
And the visitors made the most of their ascendancy with 23 minutes left in the match through a familiar Brisbane combination. A raking long ball was hit perfectly by Katrina Gorry to Butt in the area, and her first touch set her up to fire past Kopmeyer and give her side the lead.
United’s best chance of the game came just six minutes later, as Carpenter and Thorsnes exchanged passes down the right. Carpenter was released into the area and cut back brilliantly for Heyman, but the forward was unable to get her foot to the ball with the goal begging.
The Roar settled from there as United struggled to create, and the visitors held onto their lead as time wound down to claim an important victory ahead of a meeting with the Jets next weekend.
United will look to rebound against Melbourne City as they face the reigning champions at AAMI Park as part of a big double-header on Sunday.
