An early brace from Simone Charley consigned Glory to a 2-0 defeat in Sunday’s Westfield W-League 2019/20 Season Round One clash with Canberra United at McKellar Park.
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The American forward struck twice in the opening 11 minutes and although a youthful Glory side battled valiantly to try and force their way back into the game, they were ultimately unable to penetrate a resolute home defence.
The defeat means that the WA side are still yet to taste victory in the capital in ten visits, but Head Coach Bobby Despotovski took plenty of positives from the spirit his charges showed over the course of the 90 minutes.
“It is always a tough trip and it was a difficult start for us in the game,” he said, “but after the first 25 minutes we got into it and in the second half we came out with a completely different attitude.
“We were not scared to play and took the game to Canberra.
“So although I wasn’t very happy with the start, I was happy with about 65 minutes of the game and now we’ll work hard for the next two weeks to make sure that we’re better when we play Sydney FC.
“It’s difficult for the young players to jump in and be told to play against one of the most successful teams in the W-League, but it’s an experience that is only going to make them better.
“I’m ever so proud of what this group that we brought to Canberra did today.
“Some of the players have had to step up from the State League, but they never stopped running and fighting for the team.
“Overall, even though we lost, I’m very happy at this moment in time.”
Glory’s chances of ending their winless run in the nations’s capital were dealt a major blow almost immediately as Charley helped United take control.
Her first goal, in the sixth minute, was a close-range tap-in, while her second was a stunning curling effort from the edge of the box.
Caitlin Doeglas and Kim Carroll then both threatened for the visitors later in the first half, but just before the break Canberra came close to adding a third when Eliza Campbell was forced to produce a magnificent save to keep out Camila Martins Pereira’s stinging drive.
Glory responded on the hour-mark, Katarina Jukic drawing a fine block from home ‘keeper Shamiran Khamis who was also equal to Lexie Moreno’s long-range effort moments later.
Charley, however, continued to sparkle for the hosts and would have secured her hat-trick in the 65th minute had Campbell not managed to foil her superbly in a one-on-one situation.
And although the women in purple battled right to the final whistle, Heather Garriock’s side successfully kept them at arm’s length to lock down the three points.
Match Details
Canberra United 2 (Charley 7′, 11′) Perth Glory 0
Half-time: 2-0
McKellar Park, McKellar
Referee: Isabella Blaess
Assistant Referee 1: Nia Southwell
Assistant Referee 2: Lauren Hargrave
Fourth Official: Georgia Ghirardello
Canberra United: 20.Shamiran KHAMIS (gk), 2.Laura HUGHES, 3.Kaleigh KURTZ, 4.Jessie RASSCHAERT (23.Lauren KEIR 85′), 5.Nikola ORGILL, 7.Simone CHARLEY, 8.Olivia PRICE, 9.Katie STENGEL, 10.Camila Martins PEREIRA, 16.Karly ROESTBAKKEN (6.Emma STANBURY 74′), 19.Leena KHAMIS (15.Ashlie CROFTS, 64′)
Substitutes not used: 1.Analee GROVE (gk),
Yellow Cards: Pereira
Red Cards: None
Perth Glory: 1.Eliza CAMPBELL (gk), 3.Kim CARROLL, 10.Julia SARDO, 11.Leticia MCKENNA, 13.Jamie-Lee GALE, 14.Caitlin DOEGLAS, 15.Alexia MORENO (4.Ayesha NORRIE 61′), 17.Liana COOK (12.Jenna ONIONS 75′), 18.Isabella FOLETTA (5.Shannon MAY 46′), 24.Natasha RIGBY (c), 28.Katarina JUKIC
Substitutes not used: 21.Morgan AQUINO (gk)
Yellow Cards: Moreno, Rigby
Red Cards: None
#OneGlory
