A brace from Matildas striker Holly McNamara ended Perth Glory’s winning streak at the Sam Kerr Football Centre and moved Melbourne City five points clear at the top of the Ninja A-League table.
With the wind at their backs in the first half, City quickly settled into their trademark possession-based game and were on top almost from the opening whistle.
Captain Rebekah Stott set the tone early, going close in the third minute with a header from a corner, only to be denied by a sharp save from Glory goalkeeper Teresa Morrissey.
A pivotal moment arrived in the 15th minute when Perth Glory were forced into an early substitution, with Tijan McKenna leaving the field injured and Mischa Anderson coming on in central defence. Just five minutes later, City capitalised.
Danielle Turner floated a ball into the penalty area that wasn’t dealt with by Anderson or Onyinyechi Zogg, and McNamara pounced. Showing all the composure that has her leading the Golden Boot race, she lifted the ball calmly over Morrissey to give City a deserved 1–0 lead.
City continued to dominate for the remainder of the half, limiting the home side to just one shot. Their control was reflected in the numbers, with 15 touches in Glory’s penalty area compared to just two for the hosts.
City continued to enjoy the bulk of the play in the second half and always looked the more threatening of the two sides, so it came as little surprise when they doubled their advantage in the 72nd minute.
A perfectly weighted pass from Deven Jackson released Bryleeh Henry down the right, and her pull-back found an unmarked McNamara at the top of the box. The striker made no mistake, scoring her 11th goal of the season – and her fifth against Glory – to put the result beyond doubt.
Glory attempted to mount a response, but City remained resolute. Zogg came closest in the 74th minute when her long-range effort took a slight deflection before crashing against the crossbar and going out for a corner.
McNamara Leads the Way
McNamara’s two goals took her tally to 11 for the season, and her overall performance suggested there may be more to come. While her pace has always been a major weapon, she now combines it with improved awareness and close control, making her the most dangerous striker in the league at present.
Her first goal showcased classic striker’s instinct, reacting quickest to a defensive lapse, while her second highlighted her movement and composure under pressure.
City coach Michael Matricciani was full of praise post-match, also referencing her ambitions of earning a place in the Matildas squad for the upcoming Asian Cup.
“She’s a very confident and ambitious girl,” he said. “We’re very pleased to have her, and hopefully she can get into that Matildas squad and make an impact. With her pace and quality, she’s very lethal.”
Glory’s Home Win Streak Ends
The defeat was Glory’s first at Sam Kerr this season and also the first time they have failed to score at home. While the fixture was always expected to be a tough one, the manner of the loss raised concerns for coach Stephen Peters.
Usually known for their energy and defensive resilience, Glory looked flat, something Peters addressed in his post-match comments.
“I think we played poorly,” he said. “There was a lack of energy, which was disappointing given they had a short turnaround and travelled, and we didn’t.”
Glory failed to register a single shot inside the box and managed just two touches in City’s penalty area, highlighting their struggles in attack.
“Our attack did really let us down,” Peters added. “I don’t think we looked decisive up there, and we were void of ideas a little bit, which is a bit of a concern for us.”
Despite the setback, Glory remain firmly in the finals race and could climb as high as second with a win over Sydney FC on Wednesday.
City Bond on the Road
Saturday’s win came in City’s second match in four days, following a 1–1 draw with Brisbane Roar in Brisbane. Extensive travel made the challenge even tougher, but Matricciani felt the trip helped strengthen team unity.
The squad flew directly from Brisbane to Perth, allowing time together away from home.
“The club supported us by making it easier logistically,” he said. “These six nights away became another opportunity to bond. We’ve had a couple of birthdays, some team activities, and it’s all about building connection and harmony. We’re in a really good spot.”
Possession Pays Off
City’s possession-based style once again proved decisive. While they finished with 51 per cent of the ball, much of it was played in Glory’s half, with constant movement creating passing options and leaving the hosts chasing shadows.
City also nullified Glory’s press effectively, drawing opponents in before either beating them or playing through under pressure. Their work rate without the ball was just as important, with the opening goal coming from pressure applied high up the pitch.
Cards and Controversy
Despite not being an overly physical contest, referee Georgia Ghirardello issued four yellow cards, three of them for shirt pulls. Alexia Apostolakis, Mischa Anderson and Susan Phonsongkham were all booked, while Glory debutant Daisy McAllister received a caution for an over-enthusiastic challenge.
Peters felt Apostolakis was fortunate to remain on the field after a second shirt pull following her initial booking.
“How Apostolakis stays on the field is beyond me,” he said. “A player on a yellow card pulls someone back off the ball right in front of the referee, and the card stays in the pocket. Apparently, the ball was too far away – she must be Nostradamus.”
