Sydney FC have stormed back to the top of the Westfield W-League table following a commanding 3-1 win over Perth Glory.
A quick-fire brace from Remy Siemsen inside the opening six minutes set tone at Dorrien Gardens as the Sky Blues extended their perfect start to the season with a third straight win.
Sky Blues captain Caitlin Foord further solidified the lead from the penalty spot in the 39th minute after Princess Ibini was fouled inside the box.
Caitlin Doeglas pulled a goal back immediately after the restart for Glory, however, it proved mere consolation as the Sky Blues settled to see out the result.
The match was a rematch of last year’s Westfield W-League Grand Final that saw Sydney run out 4-2 winners.
Key moments
Sydney FC were quick out of the gates and took the lead in just the third minute when Siemson delivered a pin-point chipped finish over Eliza Campbell on the angle to open accounts.
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Siemson struck again just minutes later to double the lead after forcing a turnover from the Glory defence. Her shot was tipped by Campbell but the ball eventually crossed the goal line after deflecting off both posts.
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Glory sought to find their way into the contest in the 13th minute when Leticia McKenna called on Sydney FC goalkeeper Aubrey Bledsoe to tip her shot over the crossbar.
Further chances proved scarce until the 30th minute when Sky Blues’ midfielder Sofia Huerta headed across the face of goal from Ally Green’s cross, before Kat Jukic twice threatened from distance for Glory soon after.
However, it was the Sky Blues that again found the back of the net next after Ibini was fouled in the box by Julia Sardo, which allowed Foord to convert with the spot kick in the 39th minute.
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With the visitors cruising at the break, Glory made the perfect start to the second half when Doeglas latched onto a loose ball in the box just a minute after the restart to pull a goal back.
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The Sky Blues sought to settle but remained a threat in attack as Chloe Logarzo dragged a shot wide in the 58th minute and Foord saw a shot clip the top of the crossbar in the 65th minute.
Glory continued to chip away at the Sky Blues’ lead but failed to fashion a genuine scoring chance against an organised defence that frustrated their advances.
Campbell was called into action in the Glory goal to save a looping header from Logarzo soon after and remained busy as she again denied a Logarzo header in the closing minutes.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514572001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6110872734001