Perth Glory’s Women’s side made football history today, kicking off the new Westfield W-League competition in a tough match against Sydney FC at Members Equity Stadium.
Perth Glory-s Women-s side made football history today, kicking off the new Westfield W-League competition in a tough match against Sydney FC at Members Equity Stadium.
While it was an experienced Sydney outfit that took a 4-0 win, it was a score line that belied much of the good work Perth produced, particularly in the second half.
The home side were stung early as the Sky Blues broke the game open with two goals in as many minutes before the game even had a chance to settle.
Experience Matildas star Heather Garriock was impressive for the visitors, setting up a goal and scoring what will be early contender for goal of the year with a thumping a 18 yard left footer into the top corner.
Glory had several positive opportunities to peg back the Sydney lead, the best of them falling to Ciara Conway whose first header drifted just wide of the upright while her second fell into the arms of Nikola Dieter in Sydney-s goal.
Sam Kerr, younger sister of West Coast Eagle midfielder Daniel, showed glimpses of her potential down the right wing after coming on as a first half substitute while Matildas Ella Mastrantonio and Collette McCallum showed plenty of class for the home side.
Despite conceding four goals, Glory ‘keeper Kate Stewart was in fine form, producing two quality saves in the second half and looking very composed under the barrage of Sydney balls into the penalty area.
“The difference was they (Sydney FC) kept the ball better, and played the ball around the park much better than us” said McCallum.
“It-s an experience and a challenge, but hopefully it-s a good learning curve for us as we head into the next game” she said.
Westfield W-League Rd 1
Perth Glory 0
Sydney FC 4 (Leena Khamis (6- 8-), Danielle Small 39-, Heather Garriock 61-)
Members Equity Stadium, Perth
Saturday 25 October 2008
Referee: Sara Hodson
Assistant Referees: Trent Fleskens, Tim Mihevc
Fourth Official: David Costello
Perth Glory line-up: 1.Kate STEWART (gk), 2.Stacey LEARMONT (13.Elisa D-OVIDIO 69-), 3.Carys HAWKINS, 7.Ciara CONWAY, 8.Tanya OXTOBY (c), 10.Ella MASTRANTONIO, 12.Dani CALAUTTI (4.Sam KERR 36-), 14.Collette McCALLUM, 15.Elle SEMMENS, 16.Rachael SMITH, 17.Marianna TABAIN
Substitutes not used: 5.Shannon MAY, 20.Maya DIEDERICHSEN (gk)
Yellow cards: Ella Mastrantonio 66-
Red Cards: Nil
Sydney FC line-up: 2.Samantha SPACKMAN, 3.Danielle BROGAN (15.Jessica SEAMAN 63-), 4.Alesha CLIFFORD, 5.Lisa GILBERT, 6.Servet UZUNLAR, 7.Heather GARRIOCK (c), 10.Kylie LEDBROOK, 11.Michelle HEYMAN (18.Nicole BOLGER 74-), 17.Danielle SMALL (16.Linda O-NEILL 44-), 19.Leena KHAMIS, 20.Nikola DEITER (gk)
Substitutes not used: 13.Loren MAHONEY (gk)
Yellow cards: Nil
Red Cards: Nil
