Brisbane Roar end winless run against high-flying Macarthur

Updated: May 17, 2023, 05:08 am

Goals in each half proved enough for Brisbane Roar to overturn the form book and knock over third-placed Macarthur FC 2-1 at Campbelltown Stadium on Friday.

Livewire striker Dylan Wenzel-Halls bagged his seventh goal of the season early in the match and midfielder Riku Danzaki extended the winning margin just before the hour mark.

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It was a costly loss for Macarthur who could have moved just one point shy of top spot with victory.

The fledgling A-League side went into the contest seeking a club-high fourth successive win.

Brisbane, conversely, have been a side bereft of confidence and woefully out of form on an eight-game winless run dating back two months.

The Roar had produced just three goals in their last four matches, yet the evidence of the first half ran contrary to expectations.

Playing with five at the back, Brisbane sat back at times but still created several openings in the first half, while the Bulls were restricted to a half chance for Matt Derbyshire.

Wenzel-Halls gave the visitors a perfect start with a smart low finish from the edge of the penalty area after creating a metre of space.

But the striker missed a golden opportunity ten minutes before the break when, with only goalkeeper Adam Federici to beat, he spooned an effort way over the crossbar.

Roar goalkeeper Jamie Young was not truly stretched until 10 minutes after halftime as Mark Milligan let fly from distance.

Riku Danzaki celebrates scoring for the Brisbane Roar against Macarthur FC.
Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

Brisbane doubled their lead on 58 minutes when Danzaki made the most of some ponderous collective defending to force home Scott Neville's low cross.

Macarthur struggled for invention without their rested Spanish attacking outlet Markel Susaeta, and also injured fullback Ivan Franjic, so often an outlet on the flank.

That the normally impeccable Adam Federici very nearly fumbled a routine cross into his own net was somewhat emblematic of the night for the Bulls.

At the other end, Young made a superb reflex save to keep out a sharp Derbyshire effort but still the hosts struggled to build any significant attacking momentum.

Substitute Golgol Mebrahtu butchered a golden opportunity to put the contest out of sight when through on goal.

Instead Lachie Rose pulled one back in the final minute with a close-range finish but the youngster's first A-League goal was too little, too late for the home side.