Despite an improved performance, Glory were edged out by Adelaide United for the second time in five days as the Reds claimed a 2-1 win in Thursday evening’s clash at Dorrien Gardens.
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The visitors grabbed an early lead through English striker Fiona Worts before Caitlin Doeglas drew Glory level with a well-taken goal shortly after the break.
16 minutes from time, however, Emily Condon headed the South Australians back in front and despite a late rally, the hosts were unable to find another equaliser, leaving Head Coach Alex Epakis with mixed feelings.
“It’s actually quite bittersweet,” he said, “because from a performance point of view, that was markedly better than our last game.
“Our playing style really came to life and our individual players did their jobs much better than last week, so in that regard, I’m quite happy and it’s a step in the right direction.
“But obviously from a result point of view, it’s a bit of a sucker-punch.
“I thought we did enough to win this game and showed some very good signs and I feel for the girls that they haven’t got anything from it.”
The game got off to a dramatic start as Adelaide hit the front with their first meaningful attack, Mallory Weber’s pass splitting the Glory defence open and Worts racing through to drill a low shot past Lily Alfeld.
The Reds really should have doubled their lead just short of the half-hour mark when Emily Condon dispossessed Sarah Morgan on the edge of the box, but after rounding Alfeld, the United midfielder somehow contrived to screw the ball wide of an open goal.
Having taken a while to settle, Glory created their first chance of the game in the 34th minute, Doeglas seeing her goalbound effort blocked on the edge of the six-yard box.
She was not to be denied eight minutes into the second half, however, calmly finding the bottom corner after being picked out with a deft, around the corner pass by Marianna Tabain.
Tabain then came close to giving the hosts the lead in the most spectacular style, meeting Hana Lowry’s fine cross with an acrobatic bicycle kick which flew narrowly over the bar.
As it moved into its final quarter, the game really opened up and Glory were grateful to Alfeld who pulled off a stunning save to keep out a fierce drive from Georgia Campagnale.
But there was nothing the home ‘keeper could do moments later as the influential Weber delivered a pinpoint cross from the left and Condon climbed highest in a crowded box to head home her second goal of the season.
Match Details
Perth Glory 1 (Doeglas 53′) Adelaide United 2 (Worts 6′, Condon 74′)
Half-time: 0-1
Dorrien Gardens, Perth
Referee: Georgia Ghirardello
Perth Glory: 1.Lily ALFELD (GK), 2.Sarah CARROLL, 3.Gemma CRAINE (23.Katarina JUKIC 71′), 4.Natasha RIGBY (C), 5.Deborah-Anne DE LA HARPE, 7.Elizabeth ANTON, 8.Hana LOWRY, 9.Malia STEINMETZ (11.Patricia CHARALAMBOUS 77′), 12.Sarah MORGAN (6.Tijan MCKENNA 60′), 14.Caitlin DOEGLAS (15.Abbey GREEN 77′), 17.Marianna TABAIN
Substitutes not used: 20.Rebecca BENNETT (GK)
Yellow Cards: None
Red Cards: None
Adelaide United: 1.Sian FRYER-MCLAREN (gk), 3.Matilda McNAMARA, 4.Mallory WEBER, 5.Charlotte GRANT (2.Emily HODGSON 58′), 6.Georgia CAMPAGNALE, 7.MarÃa José ROJAS, 8.Emily CONDON (21.Lara KIRKBY 89′), 12.Isabel HODGSON (15.Meleri MULLAN 83′), 16.Dylan HOLMES (c), 19.Maruschka WALDUS, , 23.Fiona WORTS
Substitutes not used: 18.Annalee GROVE (gk)
Yellow Cards: None
Red Cards: None
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