A crowd of more than 3500 flocked to Spencer Park on Wednesday night as Brisbane Roar continued their preseason preparations with a 3-0 win over NPL Queensland club Brisbane City.

Brisbane-raised Corey Brown scored in the first half for the A-League club, adding to goals from imports Liam Miller and Besart Berisha as the visitors established their three goal winning margin inside the opening half hour.

City, who currently sit in second position on the NPL Queensland table, were unlucky to concede the opener on five minutes – Miller’s shot taking a sharp deflection to wrong foot City custodian Matt Stein.

Berisha’s follow-up eight minutes later from the top of the box doubled the lead before Brown drilled home a loose ball in the penalty area to settle the result.

City failed to penetrate Roar’s defensive third for much of the half, before striker Antonio Murray broke free prior to the break. Murray’s run was ended though as advancing Roar goalkeeper Michael Theo handled the ball outside the box – the four time A-League Grand Final winner fortunate not to be red-carded for the infringement.

City grew into the contest in the second half as Roar rested a raft of starters – a purple patch from the hosts midway through the half bringing the parochial crowd to their feet.

On 68 minutes Murray displayed the form that has seen him trial with the Roar in recent months, allowing a well-placed long ball to drop over his shoulder before unleashing a vicious volley from 25 yards that drew a fingertip save from substitute Roar keeper Matt Acton.

Three minutes later Nathan Bird’s run down the left created a chance for Daniel Sharov, whose snatched, close range strike was well-saved by Acton.

City substitute shot-stopper Tim Allen denied Roar’s Patrick Theodore in the final minutes with a sharp save from a shot on the turn.

Brisbane City head coach Glen Volker said he was happy with his side’s performance against the professionals.

“It was a warm-up and a so-called friendly but there was nothing too friendly out there,” Volker said.

“The pace of the game – the physicality of it – that was a really sharp, strong game and the boys had to be up for it to come away three-nil down.”

“The discussions before the game were that this wasn’t going to be a game that we turned into a roller coaster by just putting everyone on. I feel disappointed for the guys that didn’t get the run but really happy for the guys that went out there and performed well for us.”

Among those that impressed was young Korean midfielder Jae Young Joo, who was substituted into the game in the second half.

“(After the first half) we had a chance to see what they were doing and change the way we set up. Joo benefitted from that but there was lots of players who really performed well out there against quality opposition.”

Volker conceded he would’ve liked to have seen his side’s second-half toil rewarded with a goal, particularly Murray’s volleyed effort.

“It was a great save but we had a couple of really good chances in that second half and Roar did well to stop them.”

“There’s a lot of Roar supporters here but there’s also a heap of City supporters that would’ve loved to see us put one in the back of the net. The neutrals who just wanted to have a look at the game would’ve wanted that one to go in as well.”

Volker also stated the fixture was an indication of the club’s potential and the work done in City’s first year in the National Premier Leagues.

“The club is going in the right direction. We’re trying to play a certain style of football all the way through and we’re getting some success at the senior level at the moment and the juniors are putting themselves about admirably.”

“The committee’s done so well to get everything on board and to make a success of the night - it’s a good spectacle, a good opportunity for the club and hopefully there’ll be many more.”

Brisbane City continue their NPL Queensland campaign at Spencer Park this Saturday night against fellow finals hopefuls Sunshine Coast Fire. Kick-off is scheduled for 6PM.

 

Words and Image: Michael Flynn (Football Queensland)