Lloyd plays key role in Brisbane victory
SOCCER: Toowoomba’s Abbey Lloyd helped set up Brisbane Roar’s W-League win on Friday night.
On as a second-half substitute Lloyd played the final ball that set up teammate Hayley Raso’s goal to secure a 1-0 win for the Roar over Adelaide United.
Lloyd had only been on the field for a few minutes before setting up Raso after she beat her defender with a clever piece of skill, feinting a move inside with the ball before going past her defender on the outside.
The win helped make Tameka’s Butt 100th W-League appearance for the Roar all the more memorable.
“It was an awesome feeling being able to help the team,” Lloyd said. “We really needed the three points and winning in Tameka’s 100th game for the Roar was special. It was a great moment for Tameka and the club.”
Roar coach Mel Andreatta has deployed Lloyd in a wider role this season and it was Andreatta’s last-minute instructions to Lloyd that proved to be a pivotal moment in the match.
“Mel told me to stay out wide and try to get in behind the Adelaide defensive line,”
Mel told me to stay out wide and try to get in behind the Adelaide defensive line. — Abbey Lloyd
she said.
“We noticed that the defender on my side was starting to tire a little bit so I was brought on to try and stretch them (Adelaide) out a bit.”
Lloyd’s new role meant a lot more responsibilities with and without the ball but she is enjoying the opportunity.
“I definitely have to defend a lot more which is probably one of the weaker parts of my game,” she said.
“But I’ve been doing a lot of work at training and it has really improved. We do a lot of video analysis and I probably have every app you can find to see how I can improve things. It’s a lot of work but I love it.
“There’s a great vibe at the club. I look forward to going to training because I get to see my friends.
“We’ve got a great mix of players and everybody gets along. We’re all focused on helping the club win games.”