Perth Glory 1-2 Melbourne City
by Jonathon Hagger with additional reporting from Ben Gilby (31/3/24)
Above: A battle for possession at Macedonia Park today. Photo: Perth Glory.
Melbourne City secured the victory they needed to lift the Premier’s Plate in Western Australia.
Dario Vidosic’s side took advantage of Sydney FC’s final-week failure to secure three points in two matches over the past five days to lift silverware in the final game of the regular season.
Whilst the outcome ensured that Perth’s winless run in 2024 extended to an 11th game, there was some positivity for the home fans as Western Australian teenage star Tanika Lala hit her first-ever A-League Women’s goal in only her second appearance this season as a substitute.
With Perth Glory’s season concluding at the end of the match, club pride was on the line. A team that is playing for pride is a very dangerous opponent. On the other hand, Melbourne City came into the match with everything to play for as a win would put them in first place on the A-League table and secure the Premiers Plate. Results from earlier matches played in round 22 set up what would be a phenomenal closing round spectacle.
It was Perth who started the match with focus and poise. Their domination of possession looked like it could well be that they could end their winless run.
City had other ideas though and in the seventh minute, Rhianna Pollicina unleashed a cracking shot that beat Morgan Aquino’s strong effort to stop the goal. City made their own luck through playing a tough high press that forced the Glory to try and play out from their area. Pollicina received the ball from an innocuous throw in space and with a classy turn and accurate kick City went ahead.
Despite going down a goal early, Perth retained their poise and structure for the next period of play. Millie Farrow repeatedly applied pressure on the City defenders with no results to show for her efforts. With a number of strong drives into the visitors’ goal area, she showed that she wasn’t prepared to settle for a loss. Farrow’s attacking mindset was infectious as the Perth forwards and midfield rallied.
The momentum of the match swung in favour of City from the 20th minute. Following see-saw play as both teams ventured up and down the pitch, the visitors created a magnificent chance to score in the 36th minute as Henry directed a well-weighted pass right across the face of the Perth goal. Unfortunately for City, no players were in a position to connect with the ball and the strong chance was squandered.
Shortly after a free kick for the visitors outside the goal area on the right-hand side created a real opportunity. Pollicina’s pinpoint accurate kick dropped into space in the goal area and a retreating Glory defender almost knocked the ball into the net. Aquino did a great job to bat the ball away.
The second half started at full speed with end-to-end play as City were forced on the defensive in the 51st minute as Farrow barged through weak defence to set up in a one-on-one situation against the very experienced Barbara in goal. Unfortunately for the Perth striker, the ball accelerated just beyond her reach and was collected safely by the keeper. Cheering from the Perth fans rang loud as they enjoyed the demonstration of quality attacking play.
The introduction of Grace Jale provided Perth with fresh offensive power. Following some strong play deep in City’s half, a corner kick taken by Lowry was deftly targeted at the City goal but a wonder save denied a certain goal.
Following Farrow’s lead, Susan Phonsongkham started taking the initiative and applied huge amounts of pressure in City’s half from the 60th minute. With beautiful light touches on the ball, swivels, and turns, City were being kept on their toes.
The visitors weren’t going to let Perth have all the play, and from the 75th minute started asserting their dominance again. They set up camp in Perth’s half and relentlessly searched for a second goal.
The introduction of Junior Matilda’s captain Shelby McMahon provided the spark for City to close out the match in the 88th minute. Patient build-up play in the midfield created space for the young gun to have a crack. A beautiful shot from a tight angle on the left-hand side of the goal was too powerful for Aquino and nestled itself in the net.
Whereas in most matches a team who goes 2-0 down with only a few minutes left to play will often drop their heads as the result is out of reach. Not Perth Glory. Three minutes into extra time a corner kick delivered in by Hana Lowry was put into the City net by the nugget from the Goldfields Tanika Lala. Her shot cut through a static City defensive line and completely beat the keeper.
Lala has been hotly tipped for a bright future for several years by those in the know in Western Australia after so many outstanding performances for the NTC in the NPLW WA. That the last word for the 2023/24 A-League Women regular season went to this teenage star was fitting.
Another positive for Perth was the performance of Farrow who was able to demonstrate her pace. With a never give up attitude, she inspires all around her. The English attacker has landed seven goals and four assists during her debut campaign in the A-League Women.
However, this was a desperately frustrating season for Perth Glory. A powerful start to the season which saw Alex Epakis’ side firmly established in the top two seems a long time ago now. No wins at all in 2024, a period which has seen the team score only nine goals, has resulted in the side only avoiding a place in the bottom two on goal difference.
There will need to be much soul-searching at the club as a season that had such high hopes has fizzled out to a depressing run of form. A largely consistent team selection throughout, the positives have been the performances of locally produced players although there remains an element of ‘what might have been’ had some of them been given more game time.
The match came to a close with the final score line 2-1 – securing the Premier’s Plate for Melbourne City.
For the winners, Bryleeh Henry, the quiet yet hardworking defender was a key player. With a strong physical presence and great pace, opposition teams are always having to be aware of her positioning lest she catch them out. Henry has very accurate passing statistics and is super reliable.
Melbourne City are a team absolutely stacked with talent. From the goalkeepers to the strikers, every single position has players who could compete for starting spots in any team in the league. Expect Melbourne City to be playing in the A-League Women Grand Final.
Teams: PERTH GLORY (4-2-2-2): Aquino, Rigby, Anton, Cowart, Foletta, Dalton, Cassidy, Quezada, Lowry, Phonsongkham, Farrow. Substitutes: James (54’), Cain (80’), Hoarau (73’), Jale (54’) Lala (73’).
Scorer: Lala (90+4’).
MELBOURNE CITY (4-3-3): Barbara, Henry, Stott, Otto, McKenna, Hughes, Davidson, Pollicina, Ekic, Wilkinson, Roestbakken. Substitutes: Barbieri, Thomas-Chinnama, Grosso (64’), McMahon (86’), Galic (64’).
Scorers: Pollicina (8’), McMahon (89’),
Referee: Isabella Mossin.
Attendance: TBC.
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