A stunning last-minute header from Kim Carroll secured Glory a deserved share of the spoils on Friday evening as they fought out an entertaining 1-1 draw with Canberra United at Dorrien Gardens.
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The long-serving defender’s first ever goal in Glory colours cancelled out Simone Charley’s early opener for United which was the American’s third goal in two appearances against the women in purple.
Both sides also hit the woodwork after the break as the chances came and went at either end, with Eliza Campbell making several fine saves to keep the hosts in the game.
Head Coach Bobby Despotovski felt that his charges were good value for what was their first point of the campaign.
“I told the girls as half-time to keep playing in the second half the way we had been in the first,” he said.
“It was a case of them believing in the process and what we’re trying to achieve and continuing to give 100%.
“It was a well-deserved point and it was good for the girls to see the result of their hard work.”
And Despotovski also had some special words of praise for the goalscorer.
“Kim has a completely different mentality this season,” he said.
“She leads from the back and is much more aggressive than I’ve ever seen her.
“She’s a phenomenal player and if she continues to perform like she is at the moment, she can go on playing for many more years.”
Glory shaded the early exchanges in terms of both possession and territory and yet still found themselves behind in the 14th minute.
Kaleigh Kurtz’s long ball over the top fell perfectly for Charley who cut in from the right and lashed an unstoppable shot across Campbell into the far corner.
Crystal Thomas, making her starting debut, took it upon herself to try and level things up almost immediately, driving her way past three defenders only to drag her eventual shot wide and moments later, Leticia McKenna drew a regulation save from Sham Khamis in the United goal.
Midway through the half, it was Canberra who threatened again, Camila’s low strike from outside the box being pushed around the post by Campbell at full stretch.
American duo Thomas and Morgan Andrews were then both narrowly off-target for Glory with a long-range strike and a glancing header respectively and as the chances continued to flow, Campbell was forced into action at the other end to keep out an Elise Thorsnes effort.
It was Canberra who began the second half very much on the front foot, Thorsnes and Khamis going close in quick succession in the opening minutes, with the latter striking the frame of the goal after racing into the box.
On the hour-mark, meanwhile, it was Glory’s turn to hit the woodwork, Katarina Jukic latching on to Andrews’ fine long ball before unleashing a powerful drive which cannoned against the bar.
As Glory threw players forward in the latter stages, they were nearly caught on the break when Thorsnes slalomed her way into the box only to be denied, in spectacular style, by the impressive Campbell.
At that stage it looked as if the hosts were heading for a fourth consecutive defeat, but Kim Carroll had other ideas.
In the final minute of regulation time, the defender rose highest in a packed box to meet McKenna’s corner and head home her first Westfield W-League goal since the 2013/14 season.
Match Details
Perth Glory 1 (Kim Carroll 90′) Canberra United 1 (Charley 14′)
Dorrien Gardens, Perth
Half-Time: 0-1
Referee: Georgia Ghirardello
Assistant Referee 1: Matthew Southern
Assistant Referee 2: Adrien Liechti
Fourth Official: Shane Skinner
Perth Glory:1.Eliza CAMPBELL (gk), 2.Sarah CARROLL (19.Hana LOWRY 64′), 3.Kim CARROLL, 5.Shannon MAY, 6.Arianna ROMERO, 7.CELIA, 8.Morgan ANDREWS, 9.Crystal THOMAS, 11.Leticia MCKENNA, 24.Natasha RIGBY (c), 28.Katarina JUKIC (14.Caitlin DOEGLAS 80′)
Substitutes not used: 4.Ayesha NORRIE, 21.Morgan AQUINO (gk)
Yellow Cards: Sarah Carroll, Andrews
Red Cards: None
Canberra United: 20.Shamiran KHAMIS (gk), 3.Kaleigh KURTZ, 4. Jessie RASSCHAERT (17.Patricia CHARALAMBOUS 78′), 5.Nikola ORGILL (c), 7.Simone CHARLEY, 8.Olivia PRICE, 10.Camila PEREIRA, 11.Elise THORSNES, 12.Hayley TAYLOR-YOUNG (2.Laura HUGHES 81′), 16.Karly ROESTBAKKEN, 19.Leena KHAMIS (6.Emma STANBURY 86′)
Substitutes not used: 1.Annalee GROVE (gk)
Yellow Cards: Price, Camila,
Red Cards: None
#OneGlory
