Perth Glory has bounced back from its first loss of the Westfield W-League season with a 3-1 come-from-behind win over Melbourne Victory at Lakeside Stadium on Sunday.
Racheal Quigley handed Victory an early lead after only three minutes before Alanna Kennedy, substitute Elisa D’Ovidio and Caitlin Foord rescued the three points for the visitors.
Despite missing up to five first-team regulars, Quigley gifted Melbourne an early lead via a stunning volley.
In one of the goals of the season, the forward blasted Stephanie Catley’s delivery across her body past a hapless Mackenzie Arnold in goals.
Perth responded in positive fashion however, as Jamie Harnwell’s side laid siege to Melbourne’s goal, dominating possession throughout the opening half.
Victory’s heroine of the afternoon, Cassandra Dimovski, was in stunning form between the posts, most notably producing two world-class saves to maintain her side’s lead.
The 20-year-old could do nothing though as Kennedy found the equaliser five minutes before the break, rising above to convert Collette McCallum’s corner.
Dimovski was on call again on a number of occasions throughout the second half, pulling off another two sensational saves to deny Kathryn Hill from point-blank range before tipping Shelina Zadorsky’s goal-bound effort onto the upright.
The returning Samantha Kerr then came agonisingly close to Perth’s second, lobbing Dimovski only for defender Lauren Barnes to intervene with a goal-line clearance.
Victory captain Catley found the back of the net from the resulting counter attack, but was deemed offside.
Perth was rewarded for its persistence as D’Ovidio handed her side the advantage in the 81st minute, only moments after her introduction.
Australia international Foord then capped off Perth’s afternoon in memorable fashion, firing in Glory’s third into the top corner following an excellent run into the penalty area.
The result ensures Perth retains its commanding five-point lead at the top of the table and books its spot in the finals, while Joe Montemurro’s side sits in fifth position following three consecutive defeats.
Melbourne Victory 1 (Quigley 4’)
Perth Glory 3 (Kennedy 40’, D’Ovidio 80’, Foord 88’)
at Lakeside Stadium
Melbourne Victory: 20. Cassandra DIMOVSKI (GK), 2. Hannah BREWER, 5. Lauren BARNES, 6. Gema SIMON, 7. Stephanie CATLEY (c), 8. Amy JACKSON, 9. Racheal QUIGLEY, 10. Christine NAIRN, 12. Ella MASTRANTONIO, 14. Tiffany ELIADIS (17. Gulcan KOCA 70’), 18. Elli REED
Unused substitutes: 30. Tori SNELLEKSZ (GK), 4 Alexandra NATOLI, 13. Alexandra GUMMER
Yellow Cards: Jackson 34′
Red Cards: Nil
Perth Glory: 1. Mackenzie ARNOLD (GK), 2. Sarah CARROLL, 4. Bronwyn STUDMAN, 5. Shannon MAY (3. Carys HAWKINS 90’), 6. Alanna KENNEDY, 7. Gabrielle MARZANO (20. Samantha KERR 60’), 9. Caitlin FOORD, 12. Kathryn GILL, 14. Collette MCCALLUM (c), 15. Shelina ZADORSKY, 17. Marianna TABAIN (13. Elisa D’OVIDIO 80’)
Unused substitutes: 29. Kathleen WAYCOTT (GK)
Yellow Cards: Nil
