Perth Glory celebrated claiming the W-League premiership with a crushing 5-0 win over Western Sydney Wanderers at Ashfield Sports Club last weekend.
Two goals from WAIS scholarship holder Samantha Kerr, a stunner from Collette McCallum (WAIS), a Kate Gill (WAIS) header and a smart finish from Marianna Tabain sealed a comfortable win to extend Glory’s lead at the top to 10 points with two regular games to play.
Coach Jamie Harnwell was full of praise for his gallant team.
“It’s a great moment for Perth Glory Women but there’s still a job to be done,” Harnwell said of his team’s quest to win the grand final.
“Over the next couple of weeks we want to keep the momentum going and maintain this form into the finals.
“I’m very proud of the girls and the way they have gone about things so far. They’ve worked hard and being crowned premiers is a great achievement for them and for everyone associated with the club.
“This is vindication for the hard work and hard decisions we’ve had to make over the past three or four years.”
Canberra’s 3-3 draw with Newcastle Jets earlier in the day meant Glory were premiers before their game even kicked off.
Despite having the pressure released, Glory still started slowly in an opening 10 minutes where both sides looked nervous.
Glory however took the initiative through a superb solo goal from Kerr and never looked back.
Kerr sprinted at full pace past the Wanderers back line before slotting past the keeper with the outside of her foot.
The Matildas striker had a brilliant first half and could easily have scored a bag full of goals, the best of her chances coming when she found herself past the keeper, but put her effort into the side netting.
She eventually added a second as she slotted low and hard past the keeper to double Glory’s lead.
McCallum scored the goal of the game just before half time, firing the ball straight into the top corner of the net.
The Wanderers struggled to get a foothold in the game and their only chance came through a miss hit cross from Keeling Winters, which forced Glory keeper Mackenzie Arnold to focus on keeping the ball the right side of the goal line as she caught it.
With a 3-0 lead at half time, Glory came out in a second half that played out much the same as the first.
Kerr found herself in on the keeper for the third time in the game but this time failed to score. She was on hand moments later to pick up an assist for Tabain, who fired her effort past Wanderers keeper Trudy Burke.
The scoring was wrapped up through Kate Gill, who put in a strong header across the keeper from the back post.
Glory will now play the last two competitive games of the season as premiers with a home semi-final at nib Stadium to look forward to.
-FootballWest
