ALW Match Wrap: Thrilling comeback victory fires Glory into top six

Gabby Hollar, Clancy Westaway and Tijan McKenna all found the net as Glory came from behind twice to secure a thrilling 3-2 win over Newcastle Jets at No.2 Sportsground on Saturday.

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Emma Dundas gave the hosts an early lead before Gabby Hollar’s neat lob restored parity on the stroke of half-time and although Melina Ayres volleyed the Jets back in front on the hour-mark, late efforts from Clancy Westaway and Tijan McKenna guided Glory to a first victory in the Hunter Valley since 2020.

The win, their second on the road this term, lifts Stephen Peters’ side into fifth place on the ALW ladder ahead of the final four games of the season which will be played following the upcoming AFC Asian Cup break.

With the stakes high for both sides, it was perhaps unsurprising that they went at each other right from the start of what proved to be an end-to-end first half.

Hollar and Izzy Dalton had both had sighters for Glory before the hosts hit the front on 16 minutes, Dundas reacting quickest in a crowded box to force home the loose ball after Sophie Hoban had picked Tijan McKenna’s pocket and fired against the post.

The visitors then had to weather something of a storm as Ayres and Lauren Allan then both went close to making it 2-0, but gradually forced their way back into it and started to apply some concerted pressure of their own.

Hollar was unable to convert a couple of half-chances as the tide began to turn in Glory’s favour and Grace Johnston, who was a constant threat down the right, drew a fine, one-handed save from Georgia Ritchie with a stinging drive from outside the box.

The visitors were destined to lock things back up before the break, however and they did so in style.

A loose pass in midfield from Libby Copus-Brown was seized upon by Hollar who advanced to the cusp of the area and calmly lobbed the advancing Ritchie to claim her third goal of the campaign.

Both sides continued to show plenty of attacking enterprise following the restart and it was Newcastle who claimed the game’s next goal, Ayres meeting Allan’s cross with an acrobatic volley which gave Morrissey no chance.

At that stage Glory’s Finals hopes looked set to take a major hit, but they have shown impressive resolve throughout the season and dug deep once again to turn the game on its head.

The equaliser arrived on 68 minutes, Ella Lincoln capping another livewire display by crossing for substitute Westaway who claimed her first ALW goal with a composed finish.

Clearly not satisfied with a point, Glory continued to press in the latter stages and earned their reward five minutes from time when the home defence failed to clear a Dalton corner and McKenna rifled home her first goal of the season to seal a brave and vital victory.

Match Details

Ninja A-League 2025/26 Season Round 18

Newcastle Jets 2 (Dundas 16′, Ayres ) Perth Glory 3 (Hollar 45′, Westaway 68′, McKenna 85′)

Half-time: 1-1

No.2 Sportsground

Saturday 20 February 2026

Referee: Isabella Mossin

Newcastle Jets: 12. Georgia Ritchie (gk), 3. Claudia Cicco, 4. Natasha Prior, 7. India Breier, 8. Emma Dundas, 10. Elizabeth Copus-Brown (30. Alexis Collins 89′), 11. Charlotte Lancaster (2. Josie Wilson 59′), 13. Lauren Allan (44. Kelli Brown 70′), 14. Melina Ayres, 15. Emma Bates, 18. Sophie Hoban

Substitutes not used: 9. Haley Johnson, 26. Josie Allan, 50. Ally Boertje (gk)

Yellow Cards: Breier

Red Cards: None

Perth Glory: 1.Teresa MORRISSEY (gk), 3.Emma TOVAR, 5.Grace JOHNSTON, 6.Tijan MCKENNA, 9.Gabby HOLLAR (8.Georgia CASSIDY 72′), 11.Natalie TATHEM (12.Bronte TREW 72′), 17.Rola BADAWIYA (26.Tanika LALA 84′), 23.Isobel DALTON (c), 25.Ella LINCOLN, 27.Charli WAINWRIGHT (28.Clancy WESTAWAY 60′), 29.Onyinyechi ZOGG

Substitutes not used: 2.Mischa ANDERSON, 30.Jessica SKINNER (gk),

Yellow Cards: Westaway

Red Cards: None

#ONEGlory