Brisbane Roar came out strong on Sunday against Melbourne City at CB Smith Reserve. However, after a nail-biter of a first half, star-studded City were able to claim the game with a 4-0 win.

The Roar did well to not concede any goals in the first 45, an admirable feat against a side who has managed to slot one in the first half every game this season.

A red card given to Ruth Blackburn saw Brisbane’s structure disintegrate, with gaps in their play quickly capitalised on by Melbourne City for an imposing result.

Stephanie Catley donned the captain’s armband for City, with Lisa De Vanna still suspended after her red card from Round 4.  

The first half belonged to Roar’s goalkeeper Haley Kopmeyer. She was first able to bat a cracker of a shot from Aivi Luik over the crossbar and then stop a sturdy free kick from Amy Jackson. Without these saves, the scoreline may have appeared quite different by the halftime whistle.

It wasn’t purely a defensive half for The Roar. Whilst not a side known for their stature, Kirsty Yallop and Katrina Gorry were able to bring persistent pressure and physicality to the middle of the pitch, showing that they wouldn’t be letting City through easily.

Centre back Blackburn was able to run the ball far up the pitch, whilst their midfield fed the ball out to Alisha Foote and Emily Gielnik on their wings.

However, Roar’s offensive intensity slipped in the second half. Blackburn received a red card after felling Kim Little with her elbow.

A player down, Brisbane failed to restructure their side so as to compensate for the hole in defence. Gielnik was responsible for many of the plays into the box, but their attacking play was spread thin and shut down quickly.

City were were able to take advantage of Roar’s increasingly errant touches, with a relentless Little pushing them over the line. Her first goal was assisted by Marianna Tabain, who seized upon a defensive error from Roar and passed it on.

Little’s second goal was a matter of foraying around Kopmeyer – who came out to meet but couldn’t hinder the striker – and slotting it in.

2-0 up, it was time for Larissa Crummer to make a definite entry into the game. Up until this point, her presence had been quiet as she maintained a supportive role for Beattie Goad and Tabain on her flanks.

The young striker is currently standing as the highest goal scorer of the season and was able to collect a further two more for her side. Both were swift and strong on the ground, with Kopmeyer unable to dive in time to stop them.

Catley commented on Crummer’s performance, saying “Larissa’s come a really long way and she’s working really hard at training. Obviously her finishing is world class at the moment… She’s definitely one of the best in the league.”

For Roar, it was their third loss in a row. Although not unaware to the faults of the second half Kopmeyer was demonstrably proud of Roar’s efforts. “We were sticking to our game plan and that red card really hurt us… I was really proud, especially of our first 55 minutes. I think that’s the best soccer we’ve played all year.”

Melbourne City will be playing their first bye of the season next week, whilst Roar will be back on home turf to meet Newcastle Jets at Perry Park, Albion at 3pm local time.

Melbourne City 4 (Little 53’ + 60’, Crummer 79’ + 81’)

Brisbane Roar 0

Melbourne City: Jennifer Beattie, Laura Alleway, Aivi Luik, Stephanie Catley (c), Kim Little, Larissa Crummer (Melina Ayres 82’), Rebekah Stott, Amy Jackson (Alex Guajardo 88’), Beattie Goad (Alexandra Chidiac 67’), Mariana Tabain, Trudy Burke (gk)

Substitutes - Brianna Davey (gk)

Cautions - Alex Guajardo 90’

Brisbane Roar: Hayley Kopmeyer (gk), Amy Chapman, Clare Polkinghorne (gk), Angela Beard, Katrina Gorry, Kirsty Yallop, Alisha Foote (Maili Forbes 81’), Tameka Butt (Ashley Spina 81’), Summer O’Brien, Ruth Blackburn, Emily Gielnik

Substitutes - Sophie Persson, Carrie Simpson (gk)

Expulsions - Blackburn 50’