Two goals from Kate Gill have helped the Perth Glory women’s side get their season back on track through a comprehensive 4-0 win over Adelaide United at nib Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Just six days after being well beaten by Canberra United on the opening weekend of the new Westfield W-League season, the Glory responded through an impressive victory of their own that was kick started by two penalties from Gill in the 27th and 32nd minutes.
Shannon May added a third in the 36th minute before Perth opted for a more defensive structure after half-time, the Glory eventually adding some polish as Samantha Kerr slotted a well-deserved goal of her own ten minutes from time.
The victory sees Perth climb off the bottom of the table into fourth on the Westfield W-League standings as Adelaide drop to last after two consecutive losses.
It was a physical opening to the encounter as tackles flew in from both sides.
The Glory, though, appeared a much more settled outfit than the previous week, with Swedish imports, goalkeeper Tine Cederkvist and defender Alexandra Nilsson having had time to settle into the side.
The addition of Matilda Collette McCallum added a touch of class and composure to the midfield as she and her fellow national team members Gill and Kerr produced some sterling attacking combinations.
Perth looked more attacking from the outset as May fired over the bar in the ninth minute before Elisa D’Ovidio saw an effort palmed over just moments later.
But the hosts took control of the contest in the 27th minute when a sensational series of passes saw Perth patiently work the ball forward to Kerr, who was brought down in the box by Adelaide’s Ruth Blackburn, with Gill smashing home the spot kick.
The Reds responded as import Ashleigh Gunning burst through on goal, only to see her cross blocked by the super solid Nilsson, before Perth doubled the lead in the 32nd minute.
A quality through ball from Gill released Kerr at exposed Adelaide goalkeeper Sian McLaren. Kerr did well to flick the ball over McLaren, the Adelaide stopper conceding a professional foul as she took out Kerr, the resultant penalty again fired in by Gill.
McLaren was lucky to merely receive a caution for her effort, but she could do nothing to stop Perth extending the advantage even further nine minutes before the break.
The Reds stopper had done well to punch clear an inswinging cross by Carys Hawkins on the left. But off-balance, McLaren was helpless to stop May smashing in the rebound.
The Glory finished off the half running rampant, moving forward at will, but the break came at the right time for Adelaide to regroup somewhat.
The Reds started gaining some control of possession and looked most dangerous as they raided down the left though the tireless Donna Cockayne.
Having already established the three-goal buffer, Perth was content to defend and hold the Reds at bay, looking to attack once again on the counter-attack.
In the 73rd minute a good ball from Cockayne on the left found onrushing Adelaide substitute Victoria Balomenos but Glory stopper Cederkvist, looking substantially more assured than last week, came out quickly to clear the danger.
Ten minutes from the end, Perth upped the intensity once again as a flowing move saw Gill fire over from Kerr’s cutback.
But it hardly mattered as Perth fired in the fourth moments later as Gill’s free kick found D’Ovidio on the right, the hard-working midfielder crossing for Kerr to slam home a well-deserved goal.
Adelaide enjoyed another good chance during injury time as Cockayne was released through on goal, but Alexandra Singer blocked her run and the chance went begging as Perth ran out an impressive, confidence-building win.
Perth Glory 4 (Gill 27p, 32p, May 36, Kerr 80)
Adelaide United 0
