Two first half goals saw Brisbane Roar collect all three points against reigning W-League Champions Canberra United with a 2-1 win.

A brilliant solo goal from Tameka Butt and a speculative effort from Ruth Blackburn was enough to hold out Canberra despite Michelle Heyman's first half goal.

It is a rivalry the W-League fans love to watch and it didn’t disappoint.

Brisbane Roar- Key Points and Players

In front of home fans in this season's first double header, Brisbane Roar returned to some of their best with a strong opening win.

Playing with three up front, Roar attackers Amy Chapman, Emily Gielnik and Alisha Foote caused constant headaches for the Canberra defence and goalkeeper Lydia Williams.

A typical play for Brisbane was either using Foote or Chapman to bring the ball up the wing and eventually play in Butt or Katrina Gorry centrally.

Gorry showed why she is one of the best players in the W-League, as she controlled the tempo of the match for the Roar. As well as commanding the midfield, Gorry helped set up several of Brisbane's goal scoring opportunities and brought players like Gielnik and Butt into the game.

With several changes in the squad, the pre-season question was whether the newcomers would be up to the W-League tempo.

In the opening match the young Roar players showed they were up to W-League standard and can handle the demands of the league.

Alisha Foote was lively up front, Blackburn worked well with Clare Polkinghorne centrally and on the flanks Angela Beard and Summer O'Brien held their nerve against the pacy Canberra attack.

Brisbane Roar coach Belinda Wilson said her team had a plan to play and, on the main, executed.

“We let them get into the game and fixed a few things at half time.”

Both Canberra and the Roar had ample opportunities in front of the goal to the seal the game in the second half.

However, with Kopmeyer and Williams between the posts remained steady.

While Roar’s player of the match, Katrina Gorry said, “There’s definitely a new culture in the team”.

Canberra United- Key Points and Players

It was a game fought and won in the midfield and with uncharacteristic passing in the Canberra midfield, it saw the team struggle to execute the game they are known for.

Instead Canberra experienced a frustrating first half with Brisbane's attack finding ways in behind the normally compact defence.

Canberra slowly worked their way into the match and on the stroke of half time, striker Michelle Heyman scored her 51st W-League goal, cementing her status as the all-time leading W-League goal scorer.

Heyman's goal saw the visitors lift and their second half effort saw them put pressure on the Roar defence and pepper the goals with several shots on target.

Heyman didn’t make it easier for new Brisbane Roar signing, Hayley Kopmeyer, keeping constant pressure on the American goalkeeper.

Despite,Lydia Williams first half fumble of Blackburn’s goal, she didn’t affect her and was instrumental in the second half. With a number of brilliant saves, Williams carried the Canberra defence when the Roar looked like they would again pull away.

Up next?

It doesn’t get any easier for both teams next round as they lose key players to the Matildas' Tour of China.

Canberra has their first home match of the season against a Sydney side coming off a 6-0 loss to newcomers Melbourne City, while Brisbane make the trip south to Western Sydney with a chance to showcase the young talent the Roar possess.

Brisbane Roar 2 (Butt 9’, Blackburn 11’)

Canberra United 1 (Heyman 39’)

Sunday 18 October 2015

Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

Kick-off: 1:15pm

Referee: Kate Jacewicz

Brisbane Roar FC: 1. Haley KOPMEYER (gk), 3. Amy CHAPMAN, 4. Clare POLKINGHORNE (c), 6. Angela BEARD, 8. Ayesha NORRIE (16. Ashley SPINA 90+2’), 10. Katrina GORRY, 12 Alisha FOOTE (7. Gabe MARZANO 52’), 13. Tameka BUTT (18. Maili FORBES 50’), 14. Summer O'BRIEN, 15. Ruth BLACKBURN, 17. Emily GEILNIK.

Substitutes not used: 20. Carrie SIMPSON (gk).

Cautions: 15. Ruth Blackburn 34’, 7. Gabe Marzano 80’

Canberra United: 1. Lydia WILLIAMS, 3. Julia DE ANGELIS, 4. Kendall FLETCHER, 5. Jenna MCCORMICK, 7. Ellie BRUSH, 8. Meg MCLAUGHLIN (19. Nickoletta FLANERRY 55’), 10. Grace MAHER (9. Grace GILL 64’), 11. Michelle HEYMAN, 13. Nicole BEGG, 14. Ashleigh SYKES, 18. Rebecca KITING (16. Tegan RIDING 87’).

Substitutes not used: 20. Melissa MAIZELS (gk)

Cautions: Nil