Melbourne City FC has continued its undefeated streak, toppling Brisbane Roar 4-0 at CB Smith Reserve on Sunday afternoon.
Kim Little and Larissa Crummer both netted a second half brace as Joe Montemurro’s side extended its lead at the top of the Westfield W-League table to 10 points.
The story of the first half however belonged to Roar ‘keeper Haley Kopmeyer.
The custodian was on hand to deny City on a number of occasions, executing a flurry of fantastic saves.
Kopmeyer twice foiled Aivi Luik and Amy Jackson at full stretch before pulling off a string of consecutive saves to maintain a 0-0 scoreline.
Brisbane too weren’t without their chances in the opening 45 minutes.
Amy Chapman failed to punish some errant Melbourne City defending as she directed her strike at Trudy Burke from 18-yards while Emily Gielnik lofted her free-kick just over the bar on the stroke of half time.
Brisbane were then reduced to ten players immediately after the break.
Ruth Blackburn was adjudicated to have struck Little with her elbow as the pair challenged for a header, prompting referee Kate Jacewicz to produce a red card.
It didn’t take long for Montemurro’s side to capitalise upon the numerical advantage, scoring the game’s first three minutes later.
Roar defender Claire Polkinghorne surrendered possession, allowing Marianna Tabain to play a perfect ball through to Little, who finished past Kopmeyer’s right.
The Scottish international then made it 2-0 on the hour mark.
After being played into the area, the forward rounded the on-rushing Kopmeyer from 12 yards, finishing calmly into an open net.
City’s Burke was soon called into action for the first notable occasion of the afternoon, performing an exceptional save to her right to deny Gielnik.
Crummer then capped off the result, netting twice within two minutes in the game’s closing stages.
Little continued to exercise her influence on the match, swinging in the delivery, which resulted in Crummer’s first after a scramble in the area.
The competition’s leading goalscorer then bought the boisterous CB Smith Reserve crowd to its feet, striking in her eighth of the season from outside the area.
City now go 10 points clear of second placed Adelaide United heading into the bye while Brisbane Roar will entertain Newcastle Jets next weekend.
Match details
Melbourne City FC – 4 (Little 53’, 60’ Crummer 79’, 81’)
Brisbane Roar – 0
Attendance – 494
Melbourne City FC: 20. Trudy BURKE (GK), 4. Jennifer BEATTIE, 5. Laura ALLEWAY, 6. Aivi LUIK ©, 7. Stephanie CATLEY, 8. Kim LITTLE, 9. Larissa CRUMMER (14. Melina AYRES 82’), 13. Rebekah STOTT, 15. Amy JACKSON (18. Anisa GUAJARDO 88’), 16. Beattie GOAD (3. Alex CHIDIAC 67’), 17. Marianna TABAIN.
Unused Substitutes: 1. Brianna Davey (GK)
Yellow Cards: Guajardo (90+1)
Red Cards: None
Brisbane Roar: 1. Haley KOPMEYER (GK), 3. Amy CHAPMAN (19. Sofie PERSSON 72’), 4. Clare POLKINGHORNE, 6. Angela BEARD, 10. Katrina GORRY, 11. Kirsty YALLOP, 12. Alisha FOOTE (16. Ashley SPINA 81’), 13. Tameka BUTT (18. Maili FORBES 81’), 14. Summer O’BRIEN, 15. Ruth BLACKBURN, 17. Emily GIELNIK
Unused Substitutes: 20. Carrie SIMPSON (GK)
Yellow Cards: None
Red Cards: Blackburn (49’)
