Perth Glory’s unbeaten run has extended to five matches after a tight 1-1 draw with Newcastle Jets at Dorrien Gardens on Monday.
A brilliant solo effort from Perth skipper Samantha Kerr in the 69th minute cancelled out an earlier goal from Jets attacker Jenna Kingsley just after half-time.
Glory sits second on the Westfield W-League table on 17 points, just one behind leaders Sydney FC, after eight rounds.
In a match which kicked off with the mercury sitting just below 33C, the first genuine chance did not come until the 32nd minute when Glory midfielder Nikki Stanton sent a long-range attempt over the crossbar.
Fellow American import Vanessa DiBernardo also tried her luck from 25 yards a few minutes later, but her shot went wide of the target.
Kerr was brought down by Jets defender Grace Macintyre in the penalty area in the 36th minute and DiBernardo stepped up to take the spot-kick. Unfortunately for the home side, Jets goalkeeper Katelyn Rowland picked DiBernado’s kick and comfortably collected the ball.
Kingsley capitalised on a rare defensive blunder in the first minute after half-time, before sidestepping Glory goalkeeper Gabby Dal Busco and hammering the ball into an open net.
Jennifer Hoy almost doubled Newcastle’s lead just two minutes later, but Dal Busco was able to chase down the slow-moving ball and swat it away before it crossed the goal line.
Newcastle’s forwards continued to trouble the Glory defence, with Megan Oyster heading the ball into the headframe from a corner and Rhali Dobson also finding the woodwork from the follow-up attempt.
Kerr then took on three Jets defenders at the top of the box before carefully chipping the ball over Rowland’s head and registering her eighth goal of the season.
Dal Busco was again called into action with just minutes remaining in the match to deny a powerful strike from Hoy.
Kerr said the team was disappointed its winning streak had come to an end, but was relieved Glory had taken a point from the contest.
“We’ve taken pride in our performances over the last couple of weeks and it was disappointing to let that one go, but tomorrow’s a new day and we’ll look to Melbourne Victory next Sunday,” she said.
“To be honest, I can’t put my finger on it. I felt I was a bit off too. The whole team looked to pass behind and step behind a lot.
“I don’t know if that’s because of a quick succession of games or the mentality wasn’t right, but we’ll talk about it over the week and hopefully fix that for the Victory game.”
Perth Glory’s next match is against Melbourne Victory at Dorrien Gardens is on Sunday, January 8, kicking off at 4pm.
Match Details
Perth Glory 1 (Samantha Kerr 69’)
Newcastle Jets 1 (Jenna Kingsley 46’)
Attendance: 477 at Dorrien Gardens, Perth
Referee: Rachel Mitchenson
Assistants: Shane Skinner, Arvin Shanmuganathan
Fourth Official: Tom Dowle
SQUADS
PERTH GLORY: 2. Sarah CARROLL, 3. Kim CARROLL, 4. Alyssa MAUTZ, 7. Nicole STANTON, 8. Shawn BILLAM (13. Jaymie GIBBONS 46’), 9. Rosie SUTTON, 10. Vanessa DIBERNARDO (14. Caitlin DOEGLAS 82’), 17. Natasha RIGBY, 18. Gabby DAL BUSCO (GK), 20. Samantha KERR (C), 22. Arianna ROMERO
Subs not used: 1. Melissa MAIZELS (GK), 5. Patricia CHARALAMBOUS
Yellow cards: Nil
Red cards: Nil
NEWCASTLE JETS: 1. Katelyn ROWLAND (GK), 4. Megan OYSTER, 6. Cassidy DAVIS, 7. Gema SIMON (C), 9. Jennifer HOY, 10. Rhali DOBSON (14. Brooke MILLER 72’), 11. Tara PENDER (19. Ashlee BRODIGAN 54’), 13. Grace MACINTYRE, 16. Liana DANASKOS, 17. Jenna KINGSLEY, 18. Clare WHEELER
Subs not used: 2. Sophie NENADOVIC, 20. Clare WHEELER (GK)
Yellow cards: Grace Macintyre 36’, Gema Simon 56’
Red cards: Nil
