Glory are off the mark for the Westfield W-League 2020/21 Season after battling out an impressive 1-1 draw with old rivals Canberra United at Viking Park.
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Liz Anton put the visitors ahead with just four minutes remaining, only for United to hit back within sixty seconds through substitute Hayley Taylor-Young.
On a sweltering afternoon, Alex Epakis’ side produced a dogged and disciplined defensive performance to go toe-to-toe with a home side that came into the game unbeaten in three games and seeking a win which would have taken them top of the ladder.
And the women in white looked as if they might be poised to secure an historic first ever win in the nation’s capital when defender Anton pounced upon a loose ball in the box and fired an unstoppable shot into the bottom corner.
Those hopes were dashed almost immediately, however, as Taylor-Young capped a rapid break by firing in a shot which struck the foot of the post before trickling over the line.
Nonetheless, Epakis was rightly proud of his charges’ overall display.
“Coming away to Canberra who were scoring goals for fun and were in really good form and doing it under these conditions with so many young players in the squad, I think it’s a good result and a good point to build on going into the next round,” he said.
“It should begin to present the belief that we can compete with whoever we play if we back ourselves and give a 90-minute performance.
“I think we’re in a position to grow from that, 100%.
“Performances are what I’m looking at and I always knew that if the performances were at a level where we at least gave ourselves a chance to compete, then the point or points would come.
“So I think today was a really positive step in the right direction in terms of competing for a full 90 minutes, having the belief that we can earn points through composure and not taking a backward step regardless of who the opposition is.
“It’s a good point and something that we can build momentum from.”
It was Canberra who looked the most likely in the early stages, with the lively Paige Satchell seeing her low shot deflected wide with 15 minutes on the clock before Michelle Heyman headed Emma Ilioski’s cross over the bar.
Having weathered that spell of sustained pressure, however, Glory began to force their way into the game and created the best chance of the first half five minutes before the break.
Caitlin Doeglas was the architect, dinking an inviting ball into the path of Marianna Tabain and only a fine, reflex save from Chantel Jones prevented the 28-year-old from bagging the first goal of her second spell with the club.
Doeglas and Hana Lowry then both threatened to breach the United defence at the start of the second half and as the game continued to open up, Glory ‘keeper Lily Alfeld went full length to block a Grace Maher free-kick.
Laura Hughes fired a shot centimetres wide of the post with nine minutes left as the pendulum again swung Canberra’s way, only for Anton to blast Glory in front against the run of play.
A backs-to-the-wall victory was not to be, however, as Taylor-Young struck to ensure the spoils would be shared.
Match Details
Canberra United 1 (Taylor-Young 87′) Perth Glory 1 (Anton 86′)
Half-time: 0-0
Viking Park, Tuggeranong
Referee: Rebecca Durcau
Canberra United : 29.Chantel JONES (gk), 2. Emma ILIOSKI , 5.Lauren KEIR, 8.Laura HUGHES, 9.Demi KOULIZAKIS (6.Bianca GALIC 79′), 10.Grace MAHER, 13.Paige SATCHELL (12. Hayley TAYLOR-YOUNG 74′), 15.Jessika NASH (7.Rachael GOLDSTEIN 89′), 18.Izzy FOLETTA, 19.Nicki FLANNERY (14.Jessie RASSCHAERT 89′), 23.Michelle HEYMAN (C)
Substitutes not used: 1.Keeley RICHARDS (gk)
Yellow Cards: None
Red Cards: None
Perth Glory: 1.Lily ALFELD (GK), 2.Sarah CARROLL, 4.Natasha RIGBY (C), 5.Deborah-Anne DE LA HARPE, 6.Tijan MCKENNA (13.Jamie-Lee GALE 73′), 7.Elizabeth ANTON, 8.Hana LOWRY, 9.Malia STEINMETZ, 14.Caitlin DOEGLAS (11.Patricia CHARALAMBOUS 65′), 17.Marianna TABAIN (12.Sarah MORGAN 79′), 23.Katarina JUKIC (10.Alexia MORENO 65′)
Substitutes not used: 20.Rebecca BENNETT (GK)
Yellow Cards: None
Red Cards: None
#OneGlory
