Perth witnessed first hand the quality to which they must reach if they’re serious about challenging for the Westfiled W-League title after defending champions Brisbane Roar producing a clinical display at Ballymore Stadium.
Perth witnessed first hand the quality to which they must reach if they-re serious about challenging for the Westfiled W-League title after defending champions Brisbane Roar producing a clinical display at Ballymore Stadium.
The Roar confirmed their status as the pacesetters of the Westfield W-League with a emphatic 6-0 win over the third-placed Glory who were without dynamic striker Lisa De Vanna.
The hosts came out with a point to prove after being held to a 1-1 draw with Sydney FC last weekend and took little time in getting their championship defence back on track, slotting three goals in the space of 13 minutes early in the first half.
Lana Harch started the goal avalanche in the eighth minute, before Courtney Beutel and Ellen Beaumont ensured Perth were looking a huge mountain to climb at half time.
The second half saw the home side add another three goals with Harch and Beaumont netting a brace while substitute Sasha McDonnell’s wonder-strike added icing on the cake in injury time.
Harch tested the woodwork in the opening stages before breaking the deadlock when she tiptoed around Perth defender Collette McCallum and delivered a powerful strike that Glory keeper Emma Wirkus could do little about.
The home side doubled their lead when Wirkus failed to claim a cross cleanly and with all of Perth-s defenders out of position, Beutel was quick to pounce on the spillage.
Another scrimmage in the box ensued minutes later and this time it was Beaumont who fired sharply into the net to give the home side a three goal advantage.
The chances came regularly for the Roar either side of the break, with captain Clare Polkinghorne’s long-range dead-ball attempt in the 30th minute easily the most impressive.
Polkinghorne curled her shot to perfection, but Wirkus was able to make a miraculous fingertip save.
Roar keeper Casey Dumont saw very little action, however she was beaten on one occasion by Perth’s US import Alex Singer in the 77th minute, but Pam Bignold was able to make the goal-saving clearance.
Westfield W-League 2009 – Rd 5
Brisbane Roar 6 (Lana HARCH 8-/54-, Courtney BEUTEL 19-, Ellen BEAUMONT 21-/80-, Sasha McDONNELL 90-+1)
Perth Glory 0
Saturday, 31 October 2009 at Ballymore Stadium, Brisbane
Referee: Casey Reibelt
Assistant referees: Renae Coghill and Christie Robb
Fourth Official: Pru Donohue
Brisbane Roar: 1. Casey DUMONT (GK), 2. Kate McSHEA, 4. Clare POLKINGHORNE (C), 5. Brooke SPENCE, 6. Joanne BURGESS (15. Leah CURTIS 67-), 7. Pam BIGNOLD, 8. Elise KELLOND-KNIGHT, 10. Lana HARCH (9. Jenna TRISTRAM 77-) , 11. Aivi LUIK, 18. Courtney BEUTEL (14. Sasha McDONNELL 67-), 19. Ellen BEAUMONT
Substitutes Not Used: 20. Kate STEWART (GK)
Yellow Cards: Ellen BEAUMONT 43-
Red Cards: Nil
Perth Glory: 1. Emma WIRKUS (GK), 2. Carys HAWKINS, 5. Shannon MAY, 8. Tanya OXTOBY (C), 9. Danielle CALAUTTI, 13. Elisa D-OVIDIO, 14. Collette McCALLUM, 15. Alexandra SINGER, 16. Sadie LAWRENCE (21. Jaymee GIBBONS 72-), 17. Marianna TABAIN, 18. Ellis GLANFIELD (10. Ciara CONWAY 34-) (19. Katarina JUKIC 72-)
Substitutes Not Used: 20. Zoe PALANDRI (GK)
Yellow Cards: Nil
Red Cards: Nil
