Sydney FC has maintained its push for a top two spot on the Westfield W-League table with an impressive 5-2 win over Perth Glory at Leichhardt Oval in Sydney today.
Glory opened the scoring through the majestic Sam Kerr but Sydney hit back ruthlessly to take a 4-1 lead into the break.
Perth pegged one back in the second half through livewire substitute Lisa De Vanna and the visitor showed admirable fight before Sarah Walsh rounded the keeper to make it 5-2.
The first half was five-star entertainment with Glory starting the stronger and taking an early thanks to a gem of a goal.
The exciting Kerr picked up possession 35 metres out and lobbed Sydney ‘keeper Nikola Deiter for an audacious opener.
Sydney hit back almost immediately through Leena Khamis’ brilliance in the box, the striker drawing the foul before Julie Rydahl coolly slotted home the spot kick to restore parity.
With the momentum now with the home side Khamis cool finishing from close range put the Sky Blues ahead two minutes later. And, it was 3-1 on 20 minutes with the same player finishing off some great lead up work from skipper Heather Garriock.
Four goals inside 20 minutes and the fans were being treated to a classic performance.
It just got better for the home fans six minutes from the break when Catherine Paaske found space on the far stick to head home a corner to make it 4-1.
The lively Kerr could have bagged her second moments later but an outstanding late tackle from her tigerish marker Linda O’Neill averted danger.
Glory continued to show plenty of fight in the second half and were rewarded when substitute De Vanna slotted home to make it 4-2 just after the hour mark.
With the weather cooling down, the game continued at a good pace and Khamis should have bagged a hat-trick but missed a sitter in front of goal after Sarah Walsh ripped apart the Glory defence.
The final minutes of the game were controlled by Sydney as Glory finally began to tire and with just minutes left Walsh got just rewards for another excellent game when she calmly latched onto a through ball, rounded the keeper and slotted home off the post.
Substitute Michelle Carney should have made it six in the shadows of the final whistle but missed an easy chance in front of goal.
Kylie Ledbrook was named player of the match.
Sydney FC 5 (Rydahl 12p, Khamis 14, 20 Paaske 39, Walsh 84)
Perth Glory 2 (Kerr 7, De Vanna 63)
