W-League: Fifth straight win for rampant Glory

Perth Glory maintained their unbeaten record in the Westfield W-League this season with a 3-0 win over Canberra United at Ashfield Sports Club.

Canadian international Shelina Zadorsky put the home side ahead after 14 minutes before the in-form Kate Gill added a second-half brace as the Glory claimed maximum points against Canberra for the very first time in their history.

Glory were outplayed by Canberra for large chunks of the match, but an inspired performance from goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold helped the league leaders to their fifth win from as many games this season.

The scrappy win was also the first time Jamie Harnwell’s side has kept a clean sheet this season, despite Canberra having more attempts on goal.

Arnold was called into action after just three minutes of play to stop Ashleigh Sykes the opening goal after the Canberra striker broke through Glory’s defence.

Canberra goalkeeper Chantel Jones was also kept busy against her former side and pulled off a magnificent save in the 13th minute when Marianna Tabain struck the ball hard towards goals from a corner deflection.

But Jones fumbled the ball from the next corner less than a minute later and Canadian international Zadorsky popped up to register her first goal in her Perth colours.

Canberra captain Nicole Begg caused problems for Glory defender Sarah Carroll down the left wing while Sykes and the dangerous Michelle Heymann were not short of chances to pull one back for the visitors.

Heymann put the ball in the back of the net in the 23rd minute after seemingly weaving her way past Zadorsky, but she was ruled offside as she took possession.

Arnold was forced to make a telling save in the 28th minute when she tipped Lori Lindsey’s aerial attempt over the bar and again in the 34th minute when Sykes fired a shot from close range after the ball spilled to her from a corner.

Harnwell was forced to make a change at half-time when veteran Elisa D’Ovidio succumbed to a foot injury and was replaced by Shannon May.

Arnold also appeared hampered by an ankle complaint, but continued to assert her authority in the penalty area as Canberra dominated without success on the scoreboard.

Carroll found Sam Kerr in space in the 57th minutes, but Jones moved quickly to deny the speedy attacker from threading the top right corner of the net.

Jones and Kerr clashed in a separate content two minutes later, forcing referee Kirralee Andruschack to have a quiet word with the American goalkeeper.

It set the scene for a crucial moment in the 61st minute when Jones slid into a goal-bound Kerr, giving away a penalty and receiving a yellow card for her troubles.

Gill, who scored five goals against Western Sydney last weekend, stepped up to the spot and made no mistake as she powered the ball past a perturbed Jones.

Arnold was again called into the action in the 71st minute when Sykes wrong-footed Glory defender Alanna Kennedy, but her strike was denied by the Perth custodian’s outstretched leg.

Gill completed her brace in the 80th minute when she pounced on a loose ball from a corner to take her individual season tally to 10 goals from just five games.



Perth Glory: 1. Mackenzie ARNOLD (GK), 2. Sarah CARROLL, 4. Bronwyn STUDMAN, 6. Alanna KENNEDY, 9. Caitlin FOORD, 12. Kate GILL, 13. Elisa D’OVIDIO, 14. Collette MCCALLUM (C), 15. Shelina ZADORSKY, 17. Marianna TABAIN, 20. Sam KERR

Substitutes: 3. Carys HAWKINS, 5. Shannon MAY, 8. Shawn BILLAM, 18. Gabrielle DAL BUSCO (GK)


Canberra United: 1. Chantel JONES (GK), 2. Catherine BROWN, 3. Julia DE ANGELIS, 6. Caitlin MUNOZ, 7. Ellie BRUSH, 11. Michelle HEYMAN, 12. Sally ROJAHN, 13. Nicole BEGG, 14. Ashleigh SYKES, 16. Lori LINDSEY, 22. Stephanie OCHS

Substitutes: 15. Tegan RIDING, 17. Holly HOUSTON, 18. Rebecca KITING, 20. Melissa MAIZELS (GK)