Brisbane Roar vs. Melbourne Victory – Football Report – December 18, 2021

After her starlet came off the bench in last week’s derby, USA international Lynn Williams marked her first A-League Women’s game for Melbourne Victory in style with a 3-2 win over Brisbane Roar .

The 28-year-old was the star of the show, scoring one and setting up two more, helping Victory take three points at the Moreton Daily Stadium.

Williams opened the scoring in the 36th minute with a header from Harriet Withers’ precise cross. She then moved on to provide for the second half, scoring Withers in the 46th minute and compatriot Catherine Zimmerman in the 85th minute as Victory having taken three wins from these three seasons.

After weathering a storm from the home side in the opening moves, Williams’ racked up two goals in two games during her guest loan at the end of a skillful Victory move.

Matildas centre-back Kyra Cooney-Cross started the move with a good cross with Withers, before her cross from the right landed directly above Williams from six yards out.

Williams responded favorably early in the second half, she crossed the ball from the ball past Roar’s Georgina Worth’s glove to let Withers have a simple finish from behind.

Shea Connors regained the equalizer for The Roar in the 65th minute but the score was assured for the visitors when Williams edged past the home team’s defense before passing the ball back to Zimmerman to lead the ball home.

Larissa Crummers got some consolation in injury time for Roar, who are now pointless after their first three games.

“I’m happy with the score,” Williams told AAP. “I don’t think we played our best game but as long as you can learn while you’re winning, I think that’s better than learning while you’re losing.”

A frustrated Connors, who also had an unsuccessful second-half strike after a tight offside situation, said following heartbreaking defeats to Perth Glory at home and away in the opening two games. , it was another disappointing evening.

“It’s frustrating to lose but if you look at the results on paper, it doesn’t reflect the game,” Connors said. “I think we’re a really strong team and when we get the first ‘W’ I think we’ll be a strong contender later in the season.”

The win went to 16-year-old Alana Murphy, starting with Alex Chidiac not present due to border restrictions Queensland returned to Australia less than 14 days ago.

Matildas centre-back Katrina G’s made her first game of the season for The Roar but was ruled out at half-time as she continued to build up her fitness after giving birth to daughter Harper four months ago.

Brisbane heads to the ACT to face Canberra on Thursday in a bottom-of-table clash while Victory’s next game is a derby against Melbourne City on Gift Day.