A dominant performance from Perth substitute Sam Kerr has seen the Glory grab second spot on the Westfield W-League table with a tight 1-0 victory over Adelaide United at Hindmarsh Stadium on Saturday.
The hosts dominated the first half and had a bevy of chances, but the Glory hit-back early after halftime, with Alex Singer grabbing the only goal of the game in the in the 47th minute.
The American found space at the far post and unleashed a sweet strike after collecting Kerr’s pinpoint cross.
Singer’s effort saw her side snare the momentum, but Adelaide continued to press.
Rachael Quigley was lively up front for the home side, and played her part in one of United’s best chances for the day at the 58th minute – a spirited frenzy in the box.
Quigely and Renee Harrison teamed up to see Glory keeper Emma Wirkus make two slick saves, while Dani Calautti produced a desperate clearance off the line.
Adelaide captain Christina Papageorgiou, whose side remains winless after four rounds, was full of praise for Kerr.
“Sam Kerr came on a bit earlier than we expected, but she played a brilliant game, she was fast,” Papageorgiou said.
“We’ve got to score some goals first (before winning a game), so we’ll look at putting the ball in the back of the net this week at training.”
Kerr, sister of AFL midfielder Daniel, entered the fray in the 31st minute at the expense of Lisa De Vanna and produced one of few highlights in her side’s lean first half when she almost nabbed the opening goal in the 34th minute.
The Young Matildas representative had only Adelaide keeper Sian McLaren to beat after dancing past Ebony Weidenbach, but she pulled the trigger too early and McLaren was able to make a desperate save.
Perth continued to direct its attack through Kerr in the second half, and she remained a constant headache for McLaren, who had to make a number of great saves to deny Kerr.
Elisa D’ovidio also went close on a handful of occasions, the best of which came in the 53rd minute when a sizzling long-range shot crashed into the crossbar.
