Words: Michael Flynn
Image: Keith Eigeland/Football Queensland

Brisbane Roar NYL arrested a seven game losing streak to defeat in-form Brisbane City 3-2 at Perry Park on Friday night.

Returning stars Jai Ingham and Patrick Theodore scored a goal each in the first half for Roar, with Matt Biggins adding to an own goal to level scores before Ingham settled the contest from the penalty spot.

City went into the match on a six game winning streak and started purposefully against a Roar side boosted by the return of A-League squad members Ingham, Theodore and Kofi Danning.

Kai Smith headed over the bar inside the opening ten minutes before the contest settled into a rhythm with Roar’s passing game failing to penetrate the visitor’s backline and City looking to unlock the hosts in transition.

Clear cut chances proved hard to come by before Theodore broke the stalemate on 27 minutes with a crisp strike from the edge of the penalty area that found the far top corner despite a touch from City goalkeeper Matt Stein.

Both sides failed to make the most of their chances as Smith headed wide at the far post from Cameron Tew’s free kick, before Roar’s Mitch Hore nodded the ball over the crossbar from five yards barely a minute later.

City threatened again as Nick Buckley and Nathan Bird combined smartly to set up Alistair Pase, but the ensuing shot lacked power and was collected by Ryan Meskell in the Roar goal.

Midfielder Young Jae Joo felled a Roar attack six minutes before the break, allowing Ingham to deliver a curling shot into the top corner from the ensuing free kick to double the host’s advantage at the half.

Roar returned sharper still after the restart but failed to trouble Stein, with Theodore’s attempt skewing wide of the target on 51 minutes.

City spectacularly pulled a goal back a minute later when Biggins backed himself from 35 yards with an unswerving strike that will prove a contender for goal of the season.

The visitors drew level five minutes later via an own goal turned in by Roar defender Matt Schmidt.

Parity lasted only ten minutes though as the speedy Ingham was unleashed down the left by Theodore, the winger getting in front of City fullback Luca Janese who sought to make amends with a ill-timed challenge in the box.

Ingham converted from the penalty spot to secure his third brace of the campaign and take his season tally to 13 goals in 11 matches.

Defender Lachlan Jackson missed the chance to seal the points for the hosts when he scooped a shot over the crossbar from close range shortly after.

City found a second wind with the introduction of Antonio Murray from the bench on 73 minutes – the 2013 Golden Boot winner almost scoring with his first touch this season only seconds after entering the fray.

Five minutes from full time Stein produced a one-on-one save to deny Danning to keep his side in the contest, however City failed to find an equaliser with Joo blazing wide from range in injury time.

The win is Roar’s first since May and completes a double for the youngsters against City,who remain fifth in the standings and well within Finals Series contention.

Brisbane Roar NYL 3 (Patrick THEODORE 27', Jai INGHAM 39' 68')
Brisbane City 2 (Matt BIGGINS 52', own goal 58')