Western Sydney Wanderers have claimed their first win of the Liberty A-League season, defeating Brisbane Roar 1-0 at Moreton Daily Stadium.
The Wanderers moved above the Roar into seventh on the ladder on Sunday thanks to Bryleeh Henry’s 65th-minute penalty, just the second goal Catherine Cannuli’s team have scored all season.
The defeat leaves Brisbane with just one win from six matches, having secured a remarkable come-from-behind result against Melbourne Victory last weekend.
After a tense first half in hot and humid conditions at Redcliffe, the deadlock was broken thanks to substitute Olivia Price.
Picking up the ball on the edge of the penalty area, Price stepped her way past a couple of Roar defenders before she was brought down by Brazilian winger Marial Hecher.
Teenager Henry stepped up to slot the spot kick past Roar goalkeeper Georgina Worth for the 18-year-old’s first goal of the 2021-22 campaign.
The Roar were made to rue several missed opportunities in the first half, with Katrina Gorry coming closest when her 34th-minute effort was palmed onto the post by Sarah Langman, before the Wanderers goalkeeper dived onto the ball on the goal-line.
In-form Shea Connors also had a great chance just before halftime after Gorry and Hecher had combined well down the right, but the American could only fire straight at Langman when unmarked in the penalty area.
The Wanderers found the back of the net in the 22nd minute but Sheridan Gallagher’s finish after a free-kick routine was ruled out due to the forward being in an offside position.
Brisbane take on bottom-placed Wellington next weekend in a match Garrath McPherson’s team simply must win, while the Wanderers return to Sydney to host defending champions Victory at Commbank Stadium.
