The win over second-placed Melbourne in wet and windy conditions ensured the Queensland side the Premiership with two matches still to play in the season.

Roar showed no signs of nerves in the early stages of the clash despite knowing a victory would wrap up the first W-League silverware on offer.

Their intentions were clear from the first whistle and Courtney Beutel duly gave the visitors the lead after just nine minutes.

A loose ball played behind the Melbourne back-line meant that it was a foot race to win the ball.

Beutel’s pace ensured she was first to the ball, sending it over the head of Victory’s ‘keeper Melissa Barbieri and into the goal for Queensland’s first.

Ten minutes later Beutel almost had a second goal after Lana Harch beat Melissa Barbieri to a wayward back pass.

Harch’s cross found Beutel waiting at the top of the goal area but the Queensland striker was unable to control the cross and her deflection went to the wrong side of the upright.

Roar didn’t have to wait long to extend their lead when three minutes later Alicia Ferguson slotted home a free-kick after Ellen Beaumont was fouled outside the box.

Ferguson struck her shot, which deflected off Barbieri and into the goal.

The home side found a quick response to the goal three minutes later when Canadian international Brittany Timko cut out a pass back and managed to slide the ball past Roar ‘keeper Casey Dumont before slipping it into the open net.

In the 37th minute Harch found herself in a one-on-one chance with Barbieri but the Matildas ‘keeper did well to deny the visitors another goal before the halftime whistle.

The commencement of the second half saw both teams searching for an early goal and it was Roar who found it first.

Tameka Butt sealed the win, and Premiership, for Roar in the 55th minute with a great show of individual skill.

A pass from Harch found Butt heavily marked but the Roar striker did well to get past her marker and hit the ball away from Barbieri and into the top right corner of the goal.

Despite their best attacking efforts, Roar were unable to capitalise on any of their remaining chances and had to be content with a 3-1 road win.

Striker Tameka Butt was delighted to be one of the goal scorer’s in the match and was happy with the way the Roar fought.

“Against the Australian [Melissa Barbieri] ‘keeper it’s always a good feeling to score and I think it was a good effort by the team in putting the goals away against her,” she said.

“It was another top of the table clash and we knew it was going to be a hard game.

“These harsh conditions put more pressure on us but I think we battled hard and in the end came out with the win”.

Next week Queensland Roar will return home to take on Central Coast Mariners in the Roar’s last home match before the semi-finals.

Kick off is at 6pm on Saturday 20 December at Ballymore Stadium, Brisbane.

Match Details

Melbourne Victory 1 (Brittany Timko 26’)
Queensland Roar 3 ( Courtney Beutel 9’, Alicia Ferguson 23’, Tameka Butt 55’)


Bob Jane Stadium, Melbourne
Saturday 13 December 2008
Referee: Kate Jacewicz

Melbourne Victory squad: 1.Melissa BARBIERI (gk), 3.Marlies OOSTDAM, 4.Tal KARP (c), 5.Laura ALLEWAY, 6.Maika RUYTER-HOOLEY, 7.Sarah GROENEWALD (10.Stephanie TANTI 79’), 9.Rebecca TEGG, 11.Brittany TIMKO, 12.Sophie HOGBEN (17.Alisha FOOTE 72’), 14.Selin KURALAY, 15.Daniela DIGIAMMARCO (21. Sarah RICHARDSON 57’)

Substitutes not used: 20.Nicole PAUL (gk)

Yellow Cards: Selin KURALAY 40’
Red Cards: nil

Queensland Roar squad: 1.Casey DUMONT, 3.Karla REUTER, 4.Clare POLKINGHORNE, 5.Brooke SPENCE, 8.Elise KELLOND-KNIGHT, 9.Alicia FERGUSON, 10.Lana HARCH, 13.Tameka BUTT (11.Ruth BLACKBURN 88’), 16.Lauren COLTHORPE (15.Stephanie LATHAM 86’), 18.Courtney BEUTEL (17.Tashina ROMA 82’), 19.Ellen BEAUMONT

Substitutes not used: 30.Alycia CATCHPOLE (gk)

Yellow Cards: nil
Red Cards: nil