A brace from midfielder Trudy Camilleri has delivered bottom-of-the-table Western Sydney Wanderers a shock 2-0 win over league leaders Perth at Campbelltown Stadium.
A brace from midfielder Trudy Camilleri has delivered bottom-of-the-table Western Sydney Wanderers a shock 2-0 win over league leaders Perth at Campbelltown Stadium.
Camilleri struck either side of half-time to seal the club’s first Westfield W-League victory – and condemn Glory to their first defeat of the campaign.
Perth could fall as low as fourth if other results in round three go against them.
The Wanderers looked the most energetic team in the first half but their attempts to move the ball weren’t helped by the bumpy surface.
The hosts carved out a chance on 34 minutes when a lovely through ball from Alexandra Huynh found Camilleri.
There was a hint of offside but the flag stayed down only for Camilleri to roll her effort wide.
But the Wanderers’ perseverance eventually paid off in the 43rd minute with the opening goal of the game.
Teigen Allen provided a lovely pass for Camilleri to go one-on-one with keeper Carly Telford and slot her shot home with a sharp, side-footed finish.
Glory could have levelled things right on half-time but squandered a clear-cut chance.
Bronwyn Studman floated a back post cross to Kathryn Gill but the No.12 glanced wide with the target beckoning.
Perth opened the second half full of intent but found the Wanderers’ defence in a miserly mood.
Western Sydney coach Steve Roche knew one goal was not going to be enough and sent Linda O’Neill on after 54 minutes to freshen up his attack.
It almost paid immediate dividends, with the youngster pushing a shot just wide of the left post three minutes after arriving.
O’Neill was back in the game soon after, laying on Camilleri’s second goal with a surging run into the box.
She made her way to the byline and pulled the ball back for the No.14 to slam the ball past Telford.
There proved no way back for the visitors from there, although they did enjoy the best of the late chances.
The Wanderers’ historic win lifts them clear of the W-League cellar.
Western Sydney Wanderers 2 (Camilleri 43, 61)
Perth Glory 0
Wanderers: 1. Durack, 2. Spackman (Bass 83), 3. Huynh, 4. Clifford, 5. Kennedy, 6. Soutar (O’Neill 54), 8. Hart, 9. Walsh (c) (Seaman 82), 10. Uzunlar, 14. Camilleri, 15. Allen.
Res: 12. Seaman 16. O’Neill, 17. Bass, 21. Rowntree
Perth Glory: 1. Telford, 2. Carroll, 23. Hawkins, 4. Studman, 5. May, 6. Andrews, 12. Gill, 13. D’Ovidio, 14. McCallum (c), 15. Milne, 17. Tabain
Res: 8. Mastrantonio, 9. Sutton, 19. Billam, 20. Palandri
