Words: Matt Dorman
Images: Chris Simpson

The PlayStation® 4 NPL Queensland Women’s Select wiped a two-goal deficit before Brisbane Roar W-League kicked away late to win 4-2 at Goodwin Park on Sunday.

Goals from Katie Winter and Brittany Whitfield pulled the Women’s Select level after the restart but Emily Gielnik’s 17-minute brace sealed the pre-season victory for Roar.

Both sets of players required time to find their footing in tough conditions after a downpour delayed kick-off by an hour, with The Gap’s Leah Curtis the first to try her luck on 10 minutes.

Five players to have appeared in PlayStation® 4 NPL Queensland this season lined up in orange and it was one of the competition’s stars, Gabe Marzano, who opened the scoring for Roar.

The winger raced onto a through-ball and kept her composure in front of goal to make it 1-0.

Sofie Persson might have doubled the W-League side’s advantage but was twice denied by Olympic FC goalkeeper Katie Ronan.

The Swede didn’t miss out a third time, though, as five minutes before the break she picked out the bottom corner with a sweet strike from outside the area.

Persson’s goal handed Roar a 2-0 lead heading into the break, an advantage the Women’s Select immediately set about eroding.

UQFC midfielder Katie Winter brought the contest to life within three minutes of the restart when she speared a low shot past Noran Abaza to halve the deficit.

Gielnik next dragged a shot wide from Ayesha Norrie’s pinpoint pass as the Women’s Select continued to grow in confidence.

Their fast start to the second half was further rewarded just after the hour with a leveller through Brittany Whitfield.

The Peninsula Power striker reacted quickest to bury loose ball having watched Samara Christmas’ smart effort ricochet back off the base of the post.

Roar suddenly needed to steady and did just that three minutes later with Gielnik latching onto Elise Franco’s pass and finishing coolly.

The Women’s Select cause received a setback when goalscorer Whitfield was stretchered off due to a serious leg injury and their hopes of securing a result were ended with six minutes remaining.

Gielnik again strode clean through on goal to drive an unstoppable effort past Bianca Warrener, wrapping up the 4-2 scoreline.

PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland Women’s Select 2 (Katie WINTER 48’ Brittany WHITFIELD 63’) Brisbane Roar Westfield W-League 4 (Gabe MARZANO 16’ Sofie PERSSON 40’ Emily GIELNIK 67’, 84’)