The Perth Glory women’s team has ensured it will celebrate a Merry Christmas after securing a 1-0 win over Melbourne Victory that keeps it in the competition top four and firmly in the hunt for finals.
New Perth Glory signing Monnique Kofoed starred on debut, coming off the bench to score the winner against her old side in a pulsating clash at AAMI Park.
Kofoed’s 83rd minute strike was the difference between both teams after the match appeared headed for a scoreless draw.
Glory started promisingly and nearly had the lead in the opening minute through Matildas striker and WAIS-AIS scholarship holder Kate Gill, but her effort was just wide of the target.
Gill also had a shot find the woodwork later in the opening half, while fellow striker and WAIS-AIS athlete Sam Kerr was denied by stand-in Melbourne goalkeeper Brianna Davey.
WAIS-AIS Matildas international Collette McCallum was constantly feeding through dangerous balls to the Glory strike pair and even had a shot of her own, which forced Davey into action.
WAIS women’s football coach John Gibson threw on his new charge in an attempt to force a result and was rewarded when Kofoed scored past 15 year-old goalkeeper Brianna Davey – who was filling in for Matildas custodian Melissa Barbieri.
The Victory had a golden chance to rescue a draw late on in the piece after Ashley Browne’s through ball to Jodie Taylor, but the striker wasted her one-on-one opportunity against Tine Cederkvist.
