The high-flying Perth Glory visit Western Sydney Wanderers aiming to maintain their perfect start to the Westfield W-League campaign, but they will not have it as easy as the ladder suggests.
Western Sydney Wanderers v Perth Glory
Sunday 5 October 2014
Marconi Stadium, Sydney
Local kick-off: 3pm
Join the conversation on Twitter using match hashtag #WSWvPER
This contest at Marconi Stadium comes just a week after the Wanderers established a new record attendance for a regular-season Westfield W-League match. Combined with the Hyundai A-League’s teams breakthrough success in the AFC Champions League in midweek, and it is easy to see the mood is buoyant in Sydney’s west.
Packed with teenagers and debutants, Norm Boardman’s team may lack experience but they make up for that with youthful vigour and enthusiasm.
Despite three losses they have been highly competitive in each game, with perhaps their best showing in last week’s 2-0 loss to city rivals Sydney FC.
This week, however, they are without two key personnel with midfield leader Keelin Winters absent, and Linda O’Neill serving a one-match suspension.
There are no such concerns for Glory boss Jamie Harnwell who again has a full strength high-quality roster to select from. Westfield Matildas duo Sam Kerr and Kate Gill have been devastating in their new attacking partnership this season.
Meanwhile, it will be a homecoming of sorts for former Wanderers’ players Alanna Kennedy and Mackenzie Arnold who now don the Glory colours.
Western Sydney Wanderers squad: 1. Trudy Burke (gk), 2. Caitlin Cooper, 3. Jessica Seaman, 5. Helen Petinos, 6. Rachael Soutar, 7. Kendall Johnson. 8. Grace Henry, 10. Michelle Carney, 11. Lorena Bugden, 12. Hannah Beard, 14. Demi Koulizakis, 15. Rhianna Pollicina, 18. Tia Gavin, 22. Victoria Guzman, 20. Sham Khamis (gk)
Ins: Grace Henry, Rhianna Pollicina (both promoted)
Outs: Keelin Winters (abroad – 1 week), Linda O’Neill (suspended – 1 week)
Unavailable: Caitlin Jarvie (injury – 2 weeks)
Perth Glory squad: 1. Mackenzie Arnold (gk), 2. Sarah Carroll, 4. Bronwyn Studman, 5. Shannon May, 6. Alanna Kennedy, 7. Gabrielle Marzano, 8. Shawn Billam, 9. Caitlin Foord, 12. Kate Gill, 13. Elisa D’Ovidio, 14. Collette McCallum (C), 15. Shelina Zadorsky, 17. Marianna Tabain, 18. Gabrielle Dal Busco (gk), 20. Sam Kerr
Ins: none
Outs: none
Unavailable: none
