Catch all the highlights from the Distance Derby featuring Perth Glory and Wellington Phoenix.
A second-half own goal from Tiana Jaber secured a 2-1 victory for Perth Glory over Wellington Phoenix at the Sam Kerr Football Centre on Sunday evening.
Perth broke the deadlock in the 31st minute of the match in Western Australia, with Isobel Dalton finding the net with a low left-footed strike from the edge of the box.
Despite hitting the woodwork twice as they pursued a second goal, the teams went into the break level after Olivia Ferguson netted an equaliser in stoppage time, bringing the score to 1-1.
The second half was full of action, and Glory regained the lead in the 71st minute when Megan Wynne delivered a whipped cross into the box that was inadvertently turned into her own net by Jaber, marking a significant blow for the Phoenix as Perth snapped their streak of three consecutive losses to Wellington.
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This win marks just Perth’s fourth for the season, bringing their total to 15 points. For the Phoenix, the defeat is particularly disheartening, leaving them four points adrift of the top six with seven matches remaining.
Striker Caitlin Doeglas had the first genuine opportunity of the match, nearly making it 1-0, but Wellington keeper Carolina Vilao was relieved to see her clever lob drift just over the bar.
At the other end, Wellington winger Manaia Elliott got Glory goalkeeper Miranda Templeman involved as she attempted a long-range strike, while shortly after, Ferguson missed a chance by sending a right-footed shot wide when put through on goal.
The game continued to see-saw from one end to the other when Perth rattled the crossbar; though Dalton couldn’t find the target that time, she soon had the ball in the net.
After intercepting a poor clearance from the keeper in the middle of Wellington’s half, Dalton combined effectively with Sarah O’Donoghue before striking a powerful left-footed shot into the far corner to put Glory ahead 1-0.
Doeglas came close to extending the lead just before half-time, but her knuckleball shot from the edge of the box hit the crossbar and bounced harmlessly away.
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Though Wellington saw less possession, they managed to find their equaliser just before the half-time whistle, thanks to Ferguson.
An impressive run from Annalie Longo ended with her slipping the ball through to Ferguson, who calmly finished beyond Templeman to score.
The Phoenix nearly took the lead before the break; however, Elliott’s fierce drive clipped the crossbar, offering the home side a sigh of relief.
Wellington experienced a tense moment in the 59th minute when a floated corner from Glory caused chaos in the box, with the ball ricocheting around the six-yard area before being cleared.
Perth ultimately made it 2-1 in the 71st minute with a crucial assist from their opponents.
Transitioning quickly from defence to attack, Perth launched a counter that saw the ball land with Wynne on the right side of the box; her low cross was unfortunately turned into her own net by the retreating Jaber.
Perth had a chance to seal the match in the 78th minute, but defender Onyinyechi Zogg hit the post from close range, and Wynne sent the follow-up shot over the bar.
In a bid to equalise, Wellington pushed forward and Ferguson narrowly missed the target with a header in the 94th minute.
Nevertheless, Perth successfully held on for a well-deserved victory in Western Australia, moving three points ahead of the Wanderers in the 10th position.
Compiled by SportArena.com.au.
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