Canberra close in on top six with hard-fought win as ex-Glory defender haunts former side

Canberra United v Perth Glory – Shark Highlights | Ninja A-League 2024-25 | Round 14

Former Perth Glory defender Elizabeth Anton scored Canberra United’s solitary goal in a 1-0 win over her former side at McKellar Park on Saturday afternoon.

Glory had the best of the first-half chances but couldn’t capitalise as the hosts came out from half-time to take the lead and shut up shop in a slender win over the travelling side.

Anton’s 56th-minute goal earned Canberra their second win in three games as Antoni Jagarinec’s side continued their climb up the Ninja A-League table.

Canberra have lost just one of their last six games and have closed the gap to the top six; they now sit level on 21 points with sixth-placed Brisbane Roar, who face Wellington Phoenix on Sunday afternoon.

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It was a subdued start to the game in Canberra with more fouls committed than chances created, before Anton threatened to open the scoring with a header that flashed just wide of the post.

The chances slowly began to rack up for Perth Glory as the first half rolled on but shots from Isobel Dalton, Isabella Folletta and Natalie Tathem failed to threaten Sally James in goal for Canberra as the hosts comfortably saw out the first half with their clean sheet intact.

The goalless first half ended with Glory well on top, taking eight shots to Canberra’s one and enjoying 62% of possession.

Eleven minutes after the restart, Canberra found the opening goal through Anton via a corner routine from the hosts.

Glory keeper Casey Dumont got a glove on the delivery but Canberra pounced on the loose ball, with Anton putting the last touch on the ball to squeeze her shot through bodies into the bottom-left corner.

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Glory substitute Sarah O’Donoghue had a half-chance to equalise for Perth in the 65th minute with a shot that took a minor deflection off a Canberra defender en route to James who made a comfortable save.

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Despite taking 15 shots to Canberra’s three, Glory failed to find the all-important equaliser as Canberra dug deep to see out five additional minutes and claim all three points at McKellar Park.