Perth Glory Women’s coach Nicola Williams believes the partnership between Samantha Kerr and Australian striker Lisa de Vanna is capable of bearing more fruit, even against the toughest defence in the Westfield W-League.
Perth Glory Women’s coach Nicola Williams believes the partnership between Samantha Kerr and Australian striker Lisa de Vanna is capable of bearing more fruit, even against the toughest defence in the Westfield W-League.
The pair was on fire during the first hour of Perth’s 2-2 draw with Canberra United last Sunday, with Kerr’s barnstorming run and powerful shot from the right setting up de Vanna for the Glory’s second goal of the contest after Elisa D’Ovidio had opened the scoring.
Kerr, de Vanna and D’Ovidio will have to be on top of their game this weekend as Glory takes on a Queensland defence that’s only been breached twice in six matches.
Williams is more than aware the Glory can’t take the foot off the pedal like they did against Canberra last weekend, conceding two late goals as the visitors came from behind to earn a point.
“Sammy set up that first goal with her run down the right… if Lisa can get in the right position, Sammy can bring the ball back, so it’s good (attacking partnership),” Williams said.
“Our attacking finesse was really good in that first half and into the second, it was just continuing that through the (whole) game and not thinking we’ve done our job and sitting back (that’s important).
“It was a disappointing home game last week, we really wanted the three points and deserved them up until the last 15 minutes of the match,” she said.
Williams is aware Sunday’s clash with the in-form Roar at Members Equity Stadium will be the Glory’s toughest test this season, but she’s confident star striker de Vanna will be fit to play after a light week on the track, as the explosive Matilda is nursed through some calf soreness.
Williams is also confident the Glory’s defence will just get better as goalkeeper Luisa Marzotto flies in from Canberra for her second match with the club.
“Luisa in goals is a lot better,” Williams said. “She’s coming off the line, she’s out in the field. She’s talking to the defence, so it’s really good.”
Shannon May and Elle Semmens have also been promoted to the squad for this match but the Glory have lost Qantas Young Matilda Ella Mastrantonio for a week, after picking up her third yellow card of the campaign.
