Photo: Brisbane Roar started their pre-season with a hard fought win (Image Credit: Chris Simpson)

A strong finish from the Brisbane Roar sealed a 4-2 pre-season friendly win over the NPL Women’s Select at Goodwin Park on Sunday afternoon.

A brace from Roar striker Emily Gielnik and goals from new signing Gabe Marzano and triallist Sofie Perssson were enough for Roar to see off strong challenge from the Queensland NPL Select side.

Brisbane were without their captain Clare Polkinghorne along with Katrina Gorry, Amy Chapman and Brooke Spence, with coach Belinda Wilson leaving them out of the squad in favour of a younger trailing players.

The skies opened up an hour before the game bringing hail and a saturated field,.

The game didn’t get off the to perfect start, both teams had to wait an hour before the pitch was cleared from the puddles of water.

Despite the serve weather warning, heading directly for the game and being postponed for an hour, there was a large turnout.

The game started wobbly with both teams taking stubbles and slides in the mud.

The wet ground created problems for both the teams with the ball skidding, sliding or just stopping in the middle of a run.

Although, no side had clear chance at goal in the first 15, it was a well-contested with both sides figuring out the strengths and weakness of each other.

Despite a 2014 season where they struggled to score goals, the Roar were able to get the ball up to their attackers, swiftly and effectively.

As the pitch dried up the their defence became shaky at times, being caught out by the fast paced attackers of the NPL Women’s Select squad.

Marzano is definitely one to watch during this season, she was brilliant on the left side of the pitch; she formed a partnership with Gielnik and Butt, created chances in front of the goal and won the ball in tackles.

Gielnik was lightning on the field, her speed and strength on the ball, helped win the ball from the opposing team and gave her slick finishes when near the goal.

Their 1-on-1 tackles worked in their favour winning the ball 90 percent of the time as the NPL Women’s Select were caught out.

Once the NPL Women’s Select defence found their feet, the Roar had problems getting the ball in the box; both their first half goals came from outside the box.

The attacking combination of Foote and Gielnik, plus Marzano and Butt made for an afternoon of fascinating football.

These combinations will be hard for W-league teams to breakdown in the up-coming season.

This afternoon’s win was a good look at a youthful Brisbane Roar side before their first game against the reigning champions, Canberra United on October 18 at Suncorp Stadium.

FULL MATCH REPORT (Football Queensland)

Match Details

NPL QLD Women’s Select              2 (Katie WINTER 48’ Brittany WHITFIELD 63’)

Brisbane Roar                                     4 (Gabe MARZANO 16’, Sofie PERSSON 40’ Emily GIELNIK 67’/ 84’)

Sunday, 27 September 2015

Goodwin Park