W-League: Sykes, Ochs down injury hit Glory in Perth

Two second half goals from Ashleigh Sykes and Stephanie Ochs gave Canberra United a 2-0 win over a plucky Perth Glory side at Sorrento this afternoon.

Midfielder Sykes reacted quickest to an effort from Ellie Brush that hit the post and scored left footed from inside the six yard box, while Ochs sealed the win with a low finish late on.

Glory went into the game without a number of their stars through injury and suspension, including Kate Gill, Collette McCallum, Sasha Andrews and Bronwyn Studman, forcing coach Jamie Harnwell to shuffle his pack.

Canberra, who began the game with ten players after Nicole Sykes cut her hand in the dressing room before kick off, dominated the first half possession wise, with the hosts opting to defend deep from the halfway line.

The first chance of the game fell to Glory but Christina Julien shot over the crossbar after a one two with Rosie Sutton, while Ella Mastrantonio also fired over minutes later.

The visitors began to assert themselves more on the game and Grace Gill saw her dangerous free kick from the left deflected just wide, while Stephanie Ochs forced a save out of Chantel Jones.

Kendall Fletcher then struck the Glory post with a low left foot drive before Jones provided the moment of the half, reacting superbly to tip Lori Lindsey's stinging effort over the crossbar.

With the first half finishing scoreless, Glory were no doubt the happier of the two sides but they fell behind just six minutes into the second half.

Brush rose highest to meet an inswinging corner and after her header came back off the woodwork, Sykes was on hand to score from the rebound.

Mariana Tabain tried to restore parity shortly afterwards but her free kick was comfortably saved by Lydia Williams.

Canberra striker Michelle Heyman was well marshalled by starting debutant Thia Eastman throughout, though she did shoot just wide of goal in the 67th minute.

Ochs went close to doubling her side's advantage 15 minutes from time when she beat Jones to a corner but her header was just over.

In injury time, Ochs did manage to get on the scoresheet when she fired past Jones after cutting in from the wing.

Perth Glory: 1. Chantelle JONES, 2. Sarah CARROLL, 3. Cecilie SANDVEJ, 5. Shannon MAY, 8. Ella MASTRANTONIO, 9. Rosie SUTTON, 13. Elisa D’OVIDIO, 16. Thia EASTMAN, 17. Marianna TABAIN, 19. Shawn BILLAM, 21. Christina JULIEN.

Subs: 15. Jessica DILLON, 18. Amy KNIGHTS, 20. Kathleen WAYCOTT, 22. Emily HENDERSON.

Canberra United: 1. Lydia WILLIAMS, 2. Catherine BROWN, 4. Kendall FLETCHER, 7. Ellie BRUSH, 9. Grace GILL, 11. Michelle HEYMAN, 12. Sarah ROJAHN, 13. Nicole SYKES, 14. Ashleigh SYKES, 16. Lori LYNDSEY, 22. Stephanie OCHS.

Subs: 8. Meg MCLAUGHLIN, 17. Holly HOUSTON, 19. Jennifer BISSETT, 20. Trudy BURKE.