A second half defensive lapse has proven costly for Sydney FC, with the Sky Blue women falling to a one-goal defeat in Saturday’s Westfield W-League clash with the Perth Glory at Parramatta Stadium.
A second half defensive lapse has proven costly for Sydney FC, with the Sky Blue women falling to a one-goal defeat in Saturday-s Westfield W-League clash with the Perth Glory at Parramatta Stadium.
Sydney dominated for long periods, but a cool 65th minute finish from the Glory-s Marianna Tabain proved the difference between the teams and allowed the Perth to turn the tables after its four goal defeat at the hands of the Sky Blues at Members Equity Stadium in the first game of the competition.
The combination of a scorching summer-s afternoon, strong breeze and heavy pitch made conditions tough for both sides as they chased vital points at Parramatta.
The home side-s first chance came just a few minutes after the opening whistle when Leena Khamis attempted a volley in the box, off a delightful cross from last-week-s goal scorer, Jordan Marsh.
Alen Stajcic-s recruits moved the ball around comfortably and confidently, creating the majority of the chances on goal in the first half, and Sydney was unlucky not to claim the lead with shots from Khamis, Marsh and Danielle Small all denied by the brilliant keeping of Perth-s Luisa Marzotto.
The Glory-s only opportunity of the stanza hardly threatened, with a half-shot from Collette McCallum outside the area easily dealt with by Nikola Deiter.
The second period started with a drop in intensity from both teams but momentum picked up for Sydney when Jo Burgess subbed-in to make her return from injury.
Perth grabbed the upper hand thanks to Tabain-s fortuitous finish and Sydney unleashed its full armoury in an attempt to get back in the contest.
A poor clearance by Glory substitute Katy Coghlan nearly fell in favour of Sydney with the ball just rolling past the post after a dramatic mix-up between Khamis and a sea of Perth defenders.
To add to an exciting finish, Kylie Ledbrook battled her way into the Perth box but was called for a foul which ensured Burgess-s cracking finish wouldn-t count, and the Sky Blues were once again left to rue what might have been.
After making her Westfield W-League debut, Sydney FC-s newest recruit Kelly Golebiowski admitted it was an opportunity missed.
“The standard was high and for our team, we played well but we just couldn-t get that goal from all our chances,” said the former Matilda.
“Perth were tidy, they got that goal, they won that game and they took that chance they had.”
Despite claiming only one point from its last three outings Sydney is still clinging to its place in the top-four and it will be desperate to return to the winners list when it plays host the Newcastle Jets next Saturday at Campbelltown Stadium.
Match Detail
Sydney FC 0
Perth Glory 1 (Marianna Tabain 65′)
Sydney FC: 20. Nikola DEITER (gk), 3. Danielle BROGAN, 4. Alesha CLIFFORD, 5.Lisa GILBERT (c), 6. Servet UZUNLAR (8. Joanne Burgess 61-), 10. Kylie LEDBROOK, 17. Danielle SMALL, 18. Nicola BOLGER (16. Linda O-Neill 55-), 19. Leena KHAMIS, 21. Jordan MARSH, 22. Kelly GOLEBIOWSKI.
Substitutes not used: 1. Rachel Cooper (gk), 13. Loren Mahoney.
Yellow Cards: Linda O-Neill 70- .
Red Cards: nil.
Goals: nil.
Perth Glory: 30. Luisa MARZOTTO (gk), 2. Stacey LEARMONT, 3. Carys HAWKINS (9. Katy Coghlan 74-), 4. Samantha KERR, 7. Ciara CONWAY (5. Shannon May 26-), 8. Tanya OXTOBY (c), 10. Ella MASTRANTONIO, 12. Dani CALAUTTI, 13. Elisa D-OVIDIO (6. Katarina Juric 80-), 14. Collette McCALLUM, 17. Marianna TABAIN.
Substitutes not used: nil.
Yellow Cards: Collette McCallum 92- .
Red Cards: nil.
Goals: Marianna Tabain 65′.
Referee: Sara Hodson.
Crowd: 250.
