Perth Glory Women have been defeated 2-0 by back-to-back champions Melbourne City in front of a record crowd at the Westfield W-League Grand Final.
A bumper crowd of 4591 at nib Stadium was on hand to see Perth Glory’s second Westfield W-League Grand Final appearance in three seasons. The match would ultimately end in heartbreak for the Glory girls, who had the majority of chances throughout the match.
Glory had the lion’s share of shots in the first half, however it would be City to gain the lead on the stroke of half-time. An incisive run by striker Beverley Yanez allowed her to play in a low cross to City player-coach Jess Fishlock at the back post. The player-of-the-match made no mistake, poking her shot past Glory custodian Gabrielle Dal Busco into the far bottom corner.
After the break, Glory midfielder Vanessa DiBernardo threatened from distance but to no avail, often testing Melbourne City ‘keeper Lydia Williams. Glory continued with an onslaught of chances through Sarah Carroll, however it would be City that would deal the sucker punch for the second goal. Yanez’s attempted cross from the left rocketed over Dal Busco from a tight angle, crashing against the underside of the crossbar and into the back of the net.
Glory pushed hard for a comeback in the closing stages of the game, with captain Samantha Kerr and DiBernardo going close, however City would hold strong to record a 2-0 victory and clinch the Westfield W-League Championship for the second consecutive year.
Despite the harsh result, the Grand Final concludes a highly successful season for Perth Glory’s Women. Bouncing back from eighth last season to an equal first finish and a grand final berth, Glory remains proud of its comeback as a Westfield W-League force in Season 9.
Key Moments
First Half
3’ DiBernardo curls a shot from the edge of the box straight at Williams.
7’ Kerr’s low strike is deflected wide after a driving run on the left side of the box.
11’ DiBernardo tries a placed effort from the top of the box, it’s straight at Williams again.
24’ Kerr unleashes a powerful effort from 20 metres out, Williams dives low to save at her near post.
26’ Gibbons places her shot high and wide of the near top corner, after a strong run from Kerr through the middle.
28’ Erika Tymrak latches onto a loose ball in the box but scoops her volley over Dal Busco’s crossbar.
34’ DiBernardo’s long strike is narrowly tipped over the crossbar by a diving Williams.
37’ Teigan Allen finds an unmarked Fishlock in the box with an early cross, but the Welsh midfielder heads wide.
41’ Yanez is put through on the angle but she volleys her powerful shot narrowly over the crossbar.
43’ Gibbons curls another long range attempt just over Williams’ far top corner.
45+1’ Fishlock scores, City lead 1-0. Yanez slides a cross into the six-yard-box to Fishlock, who steers her shot into the far bottom corner past Dal Busco.
Second Half
56’ Dal Busco makes a superb save against Fishlock one-on-one, coming 15 metres off her line to smother her shot destined for the back of the net.
61’ DiBernardo tries a left foot strike from distance, it drifts wide of the near top corner.
64’ Mautz shoots powerfully from distance but Williams is equal to it at the near post.
67’ Sarah Carroll’s cross finds Kerr in the box, but she loops her header straight to Williams.
68’ Sarah Carroll unleashes a powerful strike from the wing, forcing Williams to tip the ball around the post for a corner.
69’ Sarah Carroll crosses onto the head of Kerr, who heads narrowly wide from point blank range.
70’ Yanez scores, City lead 2-0. Yanez’s driven cross from the left soars over Glory ‘keeper Dal Busco and off the underside of the crossbar into the back of the net.
76’ Charalambous whips in a high cross towards Kerr, but the Glory captain miscues her header and sends it wide.
80’ Kerr latches onto a long pass from Romero, but just can’t get enough on it to steer it around Williams.
89’ DiBernardo tries a strike from distance but it’s well over Williams’ crossbar.
90+1’ DiBernardo strikes from the top of the box but she drags it wide of the near post.
The Westfield W-League Grand Final
Perth Glory 0
Melbourne City 2 (Fishlock 45+1’, Yanez 70’)
Attendance: 4591
Squads
Perth Glory FC: 18. Gabrielle DAL BUSCO (GK), 2. Sarah CARROLL (5. Patricia CHARALAMBOUS 75’), 3. Kim CARROLL, 4. Alyssa MAUTZ, 7. Nicole STANTON, 9. Rosie Dee SUTTON, 10. Vanessa DIBERNARDO, 13. Jaymee GIBBONS (8. Shawn BILLAM 54’), 17. Natasha RIGBY, 20. Samantha KERR (C), 22. Arianna ROMERO.
Subs not used: 1. Melissa MAIZELS (GK), 6. Carla BENNETT, 14. Caitlin DOEGLAS.
Coach: Bobby Despotovski
Yellow cards: Vanessa DIBERNARDO 82’
Red cards: nil
Melbourne City: 1. Lydia WILLIAMS, 2. Teigan ALLEN, 3. Lauren BARNES, 5. Laura ALLEWAY, 6. Aivi LUIK, 7. Stephanie CATLEY (C), 10. Jessica FISHLOCK, 11. Erika TYMRAK (14. Melina AYRES 90+2’), 13. Rebekah STOTT, 16. Beverly Goebel YANEZ (19. Tyla Jay VLAJNIC 87’), 17. Marianna TABAIN (15. Amy JACKSON 69’).
Subs not used: 20. Emily SHIELDS (GK), 12. Olivia ELLIS.
Player-Coach: Jessica FISHLOCK
Yellow cards: Marianna TABAIN 66’
Red cards: nil
Referee: Kate Jacewicz
Assistants: Sarah Ho & Allyson Flynn
Fourth Official: Danielle Anderson
