Tash Rigby grabbed her maiden Liberty A-League goal in what was her 90th club appearance as Glory fought out an entertaining 1-1 draw with Western Sydney Wanderers at Macedonia Park on Sunday afternoon.
View full match highlights HERE.
The home skipper fired home ten minutes into the second half after exchanging passes with Alana Jancevski, prompting wild celebrations on and off the field.
But Glory’s hopes of securing a win which would have moved them to within two points of fourth-placed Melbourne Victory, with a game in hand, were scuppered ten minutes from time when Morgan Aquino brought Sophie Harding down in the box and Amy Harrison converted from the spot.
While admitting that he was disappointed that his side were unable to see out what would have been a fifth successive win, Head Coach Alex Epakis remains upbeat about their prospects of making the Finals.
Listen to his full post-match media conference HERE.
“It wasn’t as smooth and clean as what we’re used to and what we’re capable of,” he said.
“I guess in that sense it’s frustrating, but on the flip side, there was a mentality to stay in the game even though there were aspects of our game that weren’t working and it was a bit clunky.
“Sometimes you rely on that resilience and mental character and just the ugly, but necessary parts of the game to keep you in it.
“So I think we did well in that area today, but our play wasn’t as incisive and smooth as it can be.
“We’re certainly capable of making up the points in the coming games.
“I would have preferred all three [points] and so would the team, but we’re still undefeated in six, we’re still creating chances and not conceding many chances… and I’m still pretty confident we’ll go and get the job done against the other teams to get the points we need.”
Although Wanderers struck the woodwork through Harding inside the opening two minutes, chances were at something of a premium during the remainder of the first half.
Cyera Hintzen fizzed a low shot across the face of goal for Glory, while Aquino produced a stunning, one-handed save to keep the dangerous Harding at bay at the other end.
The home side looked altogether more purposeful in the second half, however and took the lead ten minutes in via their long-serving captain.
Following a typically swashbuckling run forward from right back, Rigby played a neat one-two with Jancevski and as Jordyn Bloomer came out to narrow the angle, she rifled a shot into the bottom corner.
Macedonia Park has witnessed some memorable Glory goals this season, but none have been more rapturously received than this one.
The fairytale would have been complete had it proven to be the winner, but it was not to be.
Harding had posed a major threat all game and when another of her powerful runs brought her into contact with Aquino’s outstretched arm, referee Isabella Blaess pointed to the spot.
Harrison duly kept her cool to make it 1-1, setting up a frantic final ten minutes.
Keenly aware of how much a winner would bolster their Finals prospects, Glory flooded forward and Bloomer was forced to make an unorthodox save with her face to deny Hintzen.
With a vocal home crowd roaring them on, the women in purple created one final chance in stoppage-time, but Hinzten was unable to steer home an inviting cross from substitute Demi Koulizakis.
Match Details
Liberty A-League 2022/23 Season Round 16
Perth Glory 1 (Rigby 55′) Western Sydney Wanderers 1 (Harrison (pen) 80′)
Half-time: 0-0
Referee: Isabella Blaess
Perth Glory: 1.Morgan AQUINO (gk), 3.Kim CARROLL, 4.Natasha RIGBY (c), 7.Liz ANTON, 8.Hana LOWRY, 12.Sofia SAKALIS, 15.Cyera HINTZEN, 18.Sadie LAWRENCE, 19.Izzy FOLETTA, 21.Ella MASTRANTONIO (9.Demi KOULIZAKIS 72′), 23.Alana JANCEVSKI (14.Hannah BLAKE 62′)
Substitutes not used: 13.Sarah CAIN, 17.Abbey GREEN, 20.Sarah LANGMAN (gk),
Yellow Cards: Foletta, Aquino
Red Cards: None
Western Sydney Wanderers: 1.Jordyn BLOOMER (GK), 5.Lauren KEIR, 6.Amy CHESSARI (4.Angelique HRISTODOULOU 59′), 7.Amy HARRISON, 8.Olivia PRICE, 9.Sophie HARDING, 11.Danika MATOS, 14.Clare HUNT (C), 16.Malia STEINMETZ, 19.Sarina BOLDEN (15.Cushla RUE 78′), 23.Ella ABDUL MASSIH (29.Melissa CACERES 59′), 32.BNethany GORDON (13.Jitka CHLASTAKOVA 68′)
Substitutes not used: 20.Shamiran KHAMIS (GK)
Yellow Cards: Caceres
Red Cards: None
#ONEGlory
