Sunday, November 11, 2012

Perth return to W-League summit - Sky News Australia


Perth Glory returned to the W-League summit with a stunning 6-1 win over Newcastle Jets, as previous leaders Sydney FC and Canberra United were both denied wins.


Inspired by their Matildas quartet, the Glory were in commanding form in Newcastle on Saturday, with former Novocastrian Kate Gill leading the way hitting a second-half hat-trick.


Another former Jet Lisa De Vanna, in her first match back in Glory colours, also found the back of the net, as did Collette McCallum.


The fourth member of the Glory's national team contingent, Aivi Luik, made a strong contribution on her Glory debut after six months out of the game due to a hamstring injury.


Melbourne Victory, motivated perhaps by their male counterparts in the A-League 24 hours earlier, inflicted further pain on rivals Sydney FC with a late against-the-odds 2-1 win, their first against the Sky Blues in the five seasons of the W-League.


Sydney dominated lengthy chunks of their encounter at Leichhardt on Sunday but, after spurning numerous goalscoring opportunities, were undone as Laura Spiranovic grabbed the winner nine minutes from full-time.


Spiranovic, sister of Socceroo defender Mat, bagged her first W-League goal after being set up by captain Stephanie Catley, who also laid on the Victory's opener for Amy Jackson.


Sydney, missing defender Ellyse Perry with hamstring soreness, created a hatful of chances in the first half and eventually drew level through an Alanna Kennedy header.


The defeat comes at an inopportune time for the Sky Blues who will be without five key personnel over the coming fortnight, with Sam Kerr, Caitlin Foord, Kyah Simon, Kennedy and Perry all set to be absent on Matildas duty.


Reigning champions Canberra, like Sydney, enjoyed plentiful goalmouth action, but had to make do with a share of the spoils in a 1-1 draw in their maiden meeting with new club Western Sydney Wanderers.


Teigen Allen sent the Wanderers into half-time a goal to the good, with United drawing level through Caitlin Munoz on 73 minutes.


The goal maintained a remarkable run for Canberra with all nine of their goals this season coming after the 70th minute mark.


Two-time champions Brisbane Roar round out the top four after an impressive 2-0 win at Adelaide United on Saturday.


The match marked the return of 2011 Australian player of the year Elise Kellond-Knight following a 12-month injury absence, with the full back scoring from the penalty spot in the second half, after Amy Chapman opened the Roar's account early on.



No comments:

Post a Comment