Lowly-ranked Perth Glory upset Melbourne Victory 1-0 at Kingston Heath with Matilda’s striker Kate Gill scoring against the flow midway through the first half on Saturday.
Lowly-ranked Perth Glory upset Melbourne Victory 1-0 at Kingston Heath with Matilda’s striker Kate Gill scoring against the flow midway through the first half on Saturday.
The defeat was a major blow for the second-placed Victory who could have secured a semi-final berth had they overcome a Glory team missing five of their best players, including captain Collette McCallum and striker Rosie Sutton.
In searing heat, it was a battle of fitness as much as it was skill.
Victory took charge early with several early crosses from Tiffany Eliadis and Jess Fishlock but Glory goalkeeper Chantel Jones sharply kept out any chances.
Victory striker Lisa De Vanna launched into a wonderful offensive run and nearly scored, if not for a great save from Jones. Five minutes later De Vanna was one out with Jones but squandered the chance as Jones came out to apply pressure.
Against the flow of play, Gill netted the only goal of the first half – an easy opportunity after the ball had rebounded off the cross bar.
Shawn Billiam welcomed De Vanna to the second half with a bone crunching but legal bump after the little Victory maestro began to look dangerous.
The second half mirrored the first – Victory controlled possession and looked dangerous going forward, but Jones and Sasha Andrews repelled every attack.
Fishlock had a wonderful chance from just inside the box but skyed it just over the cross bar.
Glory’s Elisa D’Ovidio floored Caitlyn Friend and received a yellow card for her troubles.
Returning defender Alex Natoli took Friend-s place on the field immediately after.
Victory had several shots on goal in the second half, but were unable to convert as Perth ran away with an upset.
Melbourne Victory: 1. Brianna Davey (gk) 3. Jessica Humble 4. Katie Hoyle 7. Stephanie Catley (c) 9. Caitlin Friend 10. Jess Fishlock 11. Lisa De Vanna 12. Jessica Samuelsson 13. Tiffany Eliadis 14. Enza Barilla 16. Beattie Goad 17. Gulcan Koca 18. Emily Hulbert 19. Alex Natoli 20. Cassie Dimovski (gk) 22. Lauren Barnes
Perth Glory: 1. Chantel Jones (gk), 2. Sarah Carroll, 3. Cecilie Sandvej, 4. Bronwyn Studman, 5. Shannon Mat, 6. Sasha Andrews, 12. Kate Gill, 13. Elisa D-Ovidio, 15. Jess Dillon, 16. Thia Eastman, 17. Marianna Tabain, 18. Amy Knights, 19. Shawn Billam, 28. Gabrielle Dal Busco (gk), 22. Emily Henderson, 24. Carys Hawkins
