Perth Glory look to claim their maiden W-League premiership when they host the Western Sydney Wanderers in Round 10.
Perth Glory look to claim their maiden W-League premiership when they host the Western Sydney Wanderers in Round 10.
Three points against the Western Sydney Wanderers will confirm top spot and bring Glory back to Perth.
The state has gone a decade without seeing silverware and poignantly, coach Jamie Harwell was in the Perth Glory men’s side last time WA fans celebrated success in the National Soccer League Grand Final in 2004.
A draw would virtually seal the league title due to Glory’s impressive goal difference, however, a victory would make it mathematically impossible for any other side to catch them.
Glory go in to the game against the Wanderers with a record of eight wins and just one defeat. The west coast side sit 7 points clear of Sydney FC as they look to secure the title in style.
Recent wins over Melbourne Victory and the Newcastle Jets have seen Perth bag themselves a top two spot and a home semi-final, scoring seven goals in the process.
Impressive performances from dynamic duo Foord and Kerr, have seen the goals flow for Glory, although in recent matches they haven’t made it easy for themselves.
The Perth side have seen themselves go a goal down in the first ten minutes, of their last two matches, which has left them with work to do.
Careless defending against the Newcastle Jets, in Round 9, saw Glory concede two goals for the first time this season.
Post-match Jamie Harnwell was disappointed with his side’s defensive performance and vowed that would be the last time his side would show such carless defending.
In spite of Glory’s off day at the back, going forward they looked as threating as ever. Sam Kerr was back in the starting line-up after nursing a hamstring injury and found herself twice on the scoresheet.
The lively forward caused the Jets a major headache, as her pace, skill and link up play with Gill and Foord, was too hot for them to handle.
The Wanderers know all too well the attacking power this Perth side have to offer, as they were on the wrong end of a 10-1 hammering in the reverse fixture earlier in the season.
Since then the Sydney side have pulled off a set of impressive wins over Brisbane Roar and city rivals Sydney FC, however, inconsistency has played a part in their season.
A heavy 5-1 home defeat by the Jets and a 3-0 loss to Melbourne Victory last time out, has seen the Wanderers slip to the bottom of the ladder.
With only two wins and a draw to their name, it is hard to see how the away side will cope with a Glory team who will be full of confidence and glee going in to this, their final home fixture before the semi-finals.
Last time the two sides met, Perth hit a perfect ten, with goals from Sam Kerr, Caitlin Foord, Alanna Kennedy and a record breaking five from striker Kate Gill.
The Wanderer’s side will have to play out of their skin to do the unthinkable and spoil the Glory’s premiership party plans.
Perth Glory v Western Sydney WanderersSaturday 15 November 2014
Ashfield Sports Club, Perth
Local kick-off: 3pm (6pm AEDT)
Perth Glory squad: 1. Mackenzie Arnold (gk), 2. Sarah Carroll, 3. Carys Hawkins, 4. Bronwyn Studman, 5. Shannon May 6. Alanna Kennedy, 7. Gabrielle Marzano, 9. Caitlin Foord, 12. Kate Gill, 13. Elisa D’Ovidio, 14. Collette McCallum, 15. Shelina Zadorsky, 17. Marianna Tabain, 18. Gabrielle Dal Busco (gk), 20. Samantha Kerr
Ins: Gabrielle Dal Busco (Westfield Young Matildas)
Outs: Kathleen Waycott (omitted)
Western Sydney Wanderers squad: 1. Trudy Burke (gk), 2. Caitlin Cooper, 3. Jessica Seaman, 4. Caitlin Jarvie, 5. Helen Petinos, 6. Rachael Soutar, 7. Kendall Johnson. 8. Grace Henry, 9. Keelin Winters, 10. Michelle Carney, 12. Hannah Beard, 14. Demi Koulizakis, 16. Linda O’Neill, 17. Laura Donnelly, 20. Sham Khamis (gk)
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