Ante Juric’s Sydney FC squad have dominated Perth Glory after an impeccable opening goal from Maddie Caspers and second half double from Cortnee Vine set up the Sky Blues for Round 15 success.
Sydney FC 3 (Caspers 23’, Vine 58’ & 85’ def. Perth Glory 1 (Quezada 33’).
Moments That Mattered
7’ – VINE MAKES AN ATTEMPT – Vine takes a right footed shot from the penalty area, just scraping past the outside corner of the post.
16’ – HAWKESBY GAINS MOMENTUM – a cross from Vine lands in the path of Hawkesby who made an admirable attempt at a difficult shot. The strike was blocked by Perth Glory goalkeeper, Morgan Aquino.
23’ – CASPERS GOAL – for the third week in a row, 16-year-old Maddie Caspers scores for Sydney FC, spinning and shooting low into the bottom right corner after a right wing run and pass from Vine.
27’ – AQUINO PENALTY SAVE – Perth Glory goalkeeper pushes Ibini’s right footed central shot over the bar following Lowry’s trip on Indiana Dos Santos in the penalty area.
33’ – PERTH GLORY EQUALISE – an unfortunate handball from Shay Hollman on the edge of the penalty area awards Perth Glory a free kick. Hana Lowry crossed the ball for Quinley Quezada to slot home from close range.
58’ – VINE MAKES IT TWO – Sydney FC take the lead after Ibini feeds Vine to strike low and into the corner delivering a masterclass in the attacking half.
85’ – VINE HITS THE SEALER – an fantastic defence splitting pass from Indiana Dos Santos from the midfield finds Vine who rounds the keeper and sneaks it between two Perth Glory defenders into the empty net.
What They Said: Cortnee Vine: “It’s a great feeling to win at home and especially at Leichhardt Oval. Great crowd as always at this field.
“To score two here, I am incredibly chuffed as a striker.
“I am exhausted now, but body feels good [post injury]. This win was a good step for myself and the team.
“I think training this week was pretty intense. Everyone was working really hard. I think that just showed on the field today. We are all starting to click and starting to understand each other.
“We have a consistent starting eleven now.
“I think versing Melbourne City is one of my favourite games. They play some great football and they have been up there with the best every year we have played them.”
Match Report: Sydney FC have secured three vital points after defeating Perth Glory 3-1 at Leichhardt Oval this evening to keep the pressure on Melbourne City at the top of the Liberty A-League.
The Sky Blues drove early momentum after Cortnee Vine attempted to an early strike on goal. The Matilda was denied after her shot narrowly scraped past the outside corner of the goal post.
Moments later, the Harbour City club found themselves within close range once again. A cross from Vine found the left foot of Hawkesby who tried to capitalise off a difficult shot. The strike was blocked by Perth Glory goalkeeper, Morgan Aquino.
Sydney FC were first to draw blood after young gun Maddie Caspers received an assist from Vine in the penalty area. The shot from Caspers went past Aquino’s fingertips and found the net in the back right hand corner, marking the midfielder’s third consecutive goal.
An opportunity to capitalise came knocking again after young forward Indiana Dos Santos was taken down by Perth Glory defender Hana Lowry in the penalty area. The penalty taken by Sky Blue skipper Princess Ibini but was denied by Aquino who pushed the ball over the bar.
Sydney FC continued to dominate in the opening of the second half. Charlotte McLean’s defensive tackle set up Ibini to deliver a strong through ball to Vine sending her into the right hand penalty box channel.
Vine’s right footed strike went beyond the keeper and into the left-hand corner of the box, taking the Sky Blues 2-1 in front.
A delicate pass from Dos Santos perfectly lands in front of Vine who goes clear, rounding Aquino who edged forward and trickles it into the net, past two retreating defenders, cementing Sydney FC’s lead.
The Sky Blues will venture to Victoria next Saturday evening to take on ladder leaders Melbourne City.
Sydney FC: 1. Jada WHYMAN (GK), 3. Charlotte MCLEAN, 4. Tori TUMETH, 5. Kirsty FENTON, 11. Cortnee VINE, 15. Mackenzie HAWKESBY (18. Taylor RAY 89’), 16. Jordan THOMPSON, 20. Princess IBINI (14. Abbey LEMON 70’), 21. Shay HOLLMAN, 22. Indiana DOS SANTOS (17. Jynaya DOS SANTOS 89′), 26. Madeline CASPERS (19. Zara KRUGER 83’).
Unused Subs: 30. Tahlia FRANCO (GK).
Yellow Cards: None
Red Cards: None
Perth Glory: 1. Morgan AQUINO (GK), 3. Jessika COWART, 4. Natasha RIGBY, 7. Elizabeth ANTON, 8. Hana LOWRY, 9. Millie FARROW, 11. Grace JALE (17. Abbey GREEN 66’), 12. Sofia SAKALIS, 18. Sadie LAWRENCE (19. Isabella FOLETTA 30’), 20. Quinley QUEZADA (13. Sarah CAIN 83’), 23. Isobel DALTON (27. Georgia CASSIDY 83’)
Unused Subs: 24. Sally JAMES (GK)
Yellow Cards: Lowry 37’, Anton 47’
Red Cards: None
Venue: Leichhardt Oval
Referee: Isabella Libri