Returning Matildas and WAIS scholarship holders Kate Gill and Collette McCallum were on the score-sheet as Perth Glory were able to exact revenge on Western Sydney Wanderers in a dominant 3-0 win.
Marianna Tabain opened the scoring on 17 minutes after a nervy start for the home side. What looked like a cross to Gill from the left wing, the striker swung at the ball but didn’t make contact, wrong-footing keeper Thora Helgadottir and sneaking into the far corner.
Eight minutes later Gill was on the scorers list, less than minute after missing a sitter from three yards out. McCallum played a sumptuous ball across the box, to Rosie Sutton who squared the ball to Gill who then poked the ball into an open net from two yards.
The two quick goals really took the wind out of the Wanderers’ sails and the game started to open up for Glory, in particular for Matildas duo Lisa De Vanna and Gill. De Vanna’s pace a constant threat from Gill flick-ons or McCallum through balls.
Gill had the chance to end the contest after playing a neat one-two with De Vanna, but the returning ball came at an awkward height with Gill stretching to reach the ball, which ended over the bar.
Western Sydney had a soft penalty shout waved away by referee Renee Silvester on the stroke of half time. Trudy Camilleri nutmegged Sasha Andrews to get into the box, but went down easily under a fair challenge by Liz Milne.
The second half started how the first ended with De Vanna causing the visitors all sorts of problems. Not even a minute had been played when Wanderers back-up keeper Elizabeth Durack was forced into a fine save by Tabain after been thread through by De Vanna.
It wasn’t until the hour mark that captain McCallum scored from an emphatic free kick from 25 yards out. Placed right into the top corner with her left foot, a shot that was always curling away from Durack who was left stranded.
Western Sydney couldn’t deal with Glory’s midfield and although Camilleri and Catherine Cannuli looked dangerous on the break, couldn’t fashion any clear cut chances for themselves or striker and captain Sarah Walsh.
Glory captain Collette McCallum was thrilled for her side to maintain its perfect home record.
“I’m really pleased with how we performed today, everybody played their part,” said McCallum.
“It’s so important to keep winning in front of the home fans and we’ve got a tough run ahead starting with Canberra on Wednesday. If we play like how we did today I’m confident we’d be able to get the job done.”
McCallum was also pleased to find the back of the net with her stunning free kick.
“Yeah, my dad always tells me just to hit the target, but I was really happy that it went in and we were able to get the win.”
– Football West
