Roar Youth notch first win

Brisbane Roar Youth have earned their first victory of the season with a gutsy, come-from-behind 3-2 win against the AIS at Luxury Paints Stadium.

Brisbane Roar Youth have earned their first victory of the season with a gutsy, come-from-behind 3-2 win against the AIS at Luxury Paints Stadium.

The Roar twice went behind in the match, but first Dane Milanovic equalised and then Jacob McClean before man-of-the-match contender James McVey stole the three competition points with a superb effort right-footed effort less than 10 minutes from the final whistle.

In falling to the Roar the AIS now have two defeats to start their campaign, but losing 4-1 to Newcastle last weekend will surely take confidence from their competitive showing and stand-out performances from Melvin Becket and Adam Taggart.

In a cautious opening both sides took some time to find forward moment with the Roar lacking control on the ball and the AIS unable to find accuracy with their passing.

Slowly the Brisbane team began to work their way into the game, and when James Meyer showed exceptional skill to beat two defenders and play in forward partner Matthew Thurtell, the home side would have taken the lead if not for the linesman’s flag.

But the AIS were not without their moments and playing a fast brand of counter attacking football, the visitors had a chance of their own soon after with Hernan Espindola only just failing to get a foot on a raking cross from the left hand side.

With Brisbane’s early momentum on the lapse it was increasingly the AIS on the offensive and after more enterprising build up from the pacey Becket, it was again Espindola threatening Nicholas Tubbs’ goal.

Roar captain Christopher Bush replied with a shot of his own, but after his effort soared well clear of the cross bar the AIS were soon back in control and Adam Taggart was the next man to get in behind the Brisbane defence only to push his fractionally wide of the post.

With little assistance coming from his midfield, Roar’s overage striker Meyer looked to take the initiative, launching a powerful shot on goal from 25 meters out and another attempt from inside the area just moments later.

Eventually though, it was the visiting side who broke the deadlock in the 30th minute when Curtis Good sent a lovely through ball into the area where Taggart was good enough to beat Tubbs from close range.

The likes of Taggart and Espindola continued to cause problems for the Brisbane defence, and with shots coming at regular intervals the AIS were unlucky to go the break only one goal ahead.

Brisbane came back from the interval looking to use the full width of the pitch, and spreading the AIS across the paddock the home side began to build some time in opposition territory.

Playing with a greater direction, the equaliser came for the Roar in the 55th minute when centre back Dane Milovanovic pushed forward to take the ball at the top of the area where he showed nice touch to set up an accurate shot on goal.
With both side hunting the go-ahead goal, the match began to open up and after James Meyer went close for Brisbane, it was the exciting Becket who sent the visitors to the lead when he broke into the box and cleverly chipped an oncoming Tubbs.

In the 65th minute the rain began to fall, leading to slippery conditions which took a notable toll on both sides’ control and footing, but the Roar weren’t going to die wondering and chasing their second equaliser of the match the home-side were showing fresh resolve.

Brisbane looked to have tied up the scores when James Meyer slotted past AIS keeper Paul Izzo, but for the second time in the match Meyer was disallowed by the linesman’s flag.

The disappointment for Brisbane was short-lived, when less than a minute later substitute Jacob McLean found himself in the right place at the right time for a successful follow up shot after Izzo had parried an attempt from Meyer back into the area.

In the 82nd minute Brisbane found their first lead of the match, when Meyer finally found reward for his strong game after accepting through-ball from Josh McVey and firing past Izzo from what looked to be an almost impossible angle.

Similar to their Hyundai A-League side on Saturday night against the Melbourne Heart on Saturday, the Roar Youth weren’t looking to sit on a lead even with less than ten minutes remaining, and Jack Boxall and Meyer both had time to go close before the final whistle.

Brisbane Roar: 3 (Milovanovic , McLean , McVey)
AIS: 2 (Taggart , Becket)