‘Same thing happened last week’: Glory boss bemoans early trend as Reds snatch win out west

Perth Glory coach Alex Epakis was left to bemoan another slow start by his team after a 1-0 A-League Women loss to Adelaide United at Macedonia Park.

A 19th-minute strike from Dylan Holmes proved the difference in Sunday’s clash, with Glory not able to find the equaliser despite dominating the second half.

The win lifted Adelaide to equal top spot on the ladder following two wins from as many matches.

Glory have just one point to show from two games ahead of next week’s trip to the Newcastle Jets.

Sunday’s match marked Glory’s first home game since round one last season, but it was Adelaide who dominated the first half.

Glory twice came from behind to salvage a 2-2 draw against Canberra last week but couldn’t find the equaliser this time around.

“It was a performance where the two halves were completely different. We weren’t good enough in the first half,” Epakis said.

“The same thing happened last week as well. 

“If we start games (well) and we build the momentum, we’re not chasing it back. 

“You spend a lot of physical and mental energy when you don’t have the momentum. It’s something we’ll have a discussion about and we’ll fix it up.”

Chelsie Dawber broke open Glory’s defence in the 19th minute with a run down the right and a dangerous pass across the box, where Holmes was on hand to lash home the goal.

Adelaide could have easily been 3-0 up at half-time with more luck.

Xiao Yuyi and Emilia Murray missed golden chances within a few minutes of each other, and Glory goalkeeper Sarah Langman was the hero on two other occasions.

Langman charged out to deny Xiao in a one-on-one chance in the 29th minute, and she scrambled back six minutes later to slap a goalward-bound lob away following a mix-up between two Glory defenders.

Glory finally found their groove after the break, with midfielder Hana Lowry involved in the thick of the action in several promising passages of play.

Lowry produced a beautifully-weighted pass to Cyera Hintzen, who struck her shot straight at the goalkeeper from a tough angle.

Then in the 61st minute, Lowry almost levelled the scores – only for her first shot to be blocked, and her second to roll just wide.

Rylee Baisden’s low drive was saved by the outstretched leg of Adelaide goalkeeper Annalee Grove in the 76th minute, and the visitors’ defence continued to hold firm at the death as Glory desperately searched for the equaliser.

“Our first half was excellent,” Adelaide coach Adrian Stenta said.

“I thought we were a two-goal better team in the first half at least.”