A stunning goal from Sam Kerr has guided Perth Glory to an upset win over second-placed Sydney FC 1-0 at Dorrien Gardens on Sunday.
Kerr scored the only goal of the match – her of third of the season – early in the first half in a tight and tense encounter in Western Australia.
The sees the Sky Blues remain in second place on the Westfield W-League table, equal on points with leaders Melbourne City.
After a tight opening to the match, played out in front of 481 fans, Kerr made the breakthrough in the 18th minute when she slammed the ball into the top left from the right side after being fed by Shawn Billam.
Kerr almost doubled the home side’s lead seven minutes later when she wrong-footed Sydney goalkeeper Sham Khamis and played the ball towards the open goal, only to be denied on the line by quick-thinking defender Alanna Kennedy.
Sydney’s first scoring chance came in the 32nd minute, but couldn’t find the breakthrough with a stubborn Perth Glory defence holding firm to grind out the win.
Despite losing the match, Sky Blues trio Kennedy, Liz Ralston and Teresa Polias were among the best players on the pitch, regularly being called into action to shut down attacks from Kerr, DiBernardo and Rosie Sutton.
Polias said her defeated side had plenty of room for improvement and would use their upcoming break to freshen up for the second half of the season.
“We weren’t good enough today, our passing let us down,” Polias said. “Credit to Perth, they were very dangerous on the counterattack and controlled the game.”
Sydney FC return to Westfield W-League action, following this weekend’s BYE, against Brisbane Roar at home on Friday 23 December (kick off 7:30pm) at Lambert Park, Leichhardt.
Sydney FC’s Memberships are on sale now! Click here to see the range of Membership options for the Westfield W-League 2016/17 season. PLUS catch one Hyundai A-League double header as part of your Membership, at Central Coast Stadium on Sunday 8 January!
