Words: Michael Flynn, Brisbane City
Image: Keith Eigeland, Football Queensland

Brisbane Roar NYL secured back to back NPL Queensland wins for the first time this season, defeating Brisbane City 4-2 in wet conditions at Spencer Park on Friday night.

Roar skipper Lachlan Jackson, Shannon Brady and Jai Ingham added to an own goal from City defender Luca Perico to secure the points for the visitors, while City’s two goals came in either half courtesy of Cameron Tew and Jeremy Lynch.

A heavy downpour two hours before kick off soddened the pitch and initially stifled Roar’s quick pass-and-move game, leading to early chances for City midfielder Jordan Loi and striker Jarrod Kyle.

On 17 minutes, Tew opened accounts when the he was found by Nick Buckley’s measured cross – the right fullback beating Roar custodian Fraser Chalmers on his near post from 6 yards.

However, the contest soon swung in Roar’s favour and Jackson restored parity with a textbook header at the back post only six minute later.

The lion’s share of possession favoured Roar for the remainder of the half, but the visitors were unable to make it tell until a lapse of concentration  from the City backline immediately prior to the break.

A sharp finish from Brady at close range capped off an extended period of possession to edge Roar ahead at the start of time added on, before an otherwise untroublesome free-kick doubled the advantage courtesy of a cruel deflection off Perico that left City goalkeeper Stein wrong-footed.

Roar continued to dominate possession following the restart, however the hosts also saw their share of chances from set-pieces – with Perico, Matt Biggins and Koh Satake all unable to pull a goal back from promising positions.

City’s fleeting hopes of a comeback were finally dispelled with twenty minutes remaining when defender Luca Janesse was dismissed for a second yellow card offence.

Stein produced a smart save from Ingham’s ensuing free kick, before the striker received due reward for an energetic performance soon after by driving home a cutback from Jaden Walker to seal the points.

Ingham struck the post shortly after before Lynch provided a consolation for the City faithful, striking a spectacular dipping strike from 25 yards that caught Chalmers just off his line to sneak under the crossbar.

Roar substitute Brandon Borello, who was this week named National Youth League Player of the Year, proved lively but was unable to add to Roar’s tally in the closing stages.

The result lifts Roar to seventh on the NPL Queensland table and maintains their average of more than 3 goals per game so far this season.

For City, it is their third match without a win across all competitions, and sees the early-season league leaders in danger of dropping out of the top half of the table depending on the round’s other results.

Brisbane City 2 (Cameron TEW 17’, Jeremy LYNCH 78’)
Brisbane Roar (Lachlan JACKSON 23’, Shannon BRADY 45+1’, own goal 45+2’, Jai INGHAM 75’)