W-LEAGUE: Adelaide United vs Brisbane Roar

A long-range wonder-goal by Clara Polkinghorne has helped Brisbane Roar to a 2-1 win over Adelaide United at Burton Park.

Ashley Spina scored Brisbane’s second in the 63rd minute after a long phase of sustained pressure, before the Lady Reds came to life late on and pressed for a goal to equalise.

In Adelaide’s first home game at Burton Park this year, the Lady Reds showed plenty of attacking promise in the first half but couldn’t capitalise, keeping them winless for the 2011 Westfield W-League season.

Brisbane was without suspended ‘keeper Casey Dumont, however her untried, Japanese counterpart Hoshimi Kishi performed admirably in her first game for the Roar.

The opening 15 minutes saw very few clear chances with the only goalmouth action a Kishi save from an Adelaide free-kick.

Adelaide’s defence looked solid early on with New Zealand international Anna Green nullifying the threat of Roar right winger Sasha McDonnell on a number of occasions.

Green was impressive for United in the first half, repelling crosses and putting her body on the line numerous times to keep the scores level.

Racheal Quigley produced a fine effort in the 29th minute and almost gave Adelaide the lead with an impressive piece of skill.

After receiving the ball from a throw-in Quigley turned her defender before firing her shot just past Kishi’s post.

Brisbane took the lead in the 38th minute after an incredible long-range strike by Clara Polkinghorne.

The Roar midfielder received the ball in her attacking half and after beating her defender, pushed the ball onto her right foot and struck a ferocious shot over the top of Kristi Harvey, who could do little to stop it.

The first half ended at 1-0 with both sides showing enough positive play to suggest their positions at the foot of the ladder belies their recent form on the pitch.

Brisbane began to take control 10 minutes into the second half, taking advantage of a number of sloppy passes and lacklustre defence from the Lady Reds.

With Adelaide resigning themselves to playing long-balls to the attack, Brisbane eventually doubled their lead in the 63rd minute.

After Emily Gielnik’s shot thundered into the post, Adelaide failed to clear the ball effectively.

Brisbane returned the ball into the box, finding Ashley Spina who headed the ball into the corner of Harvey’s goal.

The Roar continued to press and could have found their third if McDonnell’s shot had been hit with less power.

McDonnell was released into a one-on-one with Harvey after a clever dummy from substitute Lana Harch.

Rajcic brought United back to life in the 77th minute when she scored against the run of play.

With an Adelaide cross whipped in from the left wing Kishi misjudged the flight of the ball and collided with a United attacker.

The ball fell to the feet of Rajcic who had the simplest of finishes, finessing the ball into the back of the net.

United began to press late on and had a number of good chances to find their equaliser, however Rishi made a number of critical saves to ensure the Roar held their lead.