The A-League Women Round 2 clash between Perth Glory and Newcastle Jets was an action-packed encounter, featuring stunning goals, a red card, and plenty of defensive mistakes. Perth Glory earned their first win since December 2023 – their 3-2 triumph saw both teams make significant errors, but Glory’s second-half turnaround made the difference.
The home side took the lead in the opening minute when Georgia Cassidy pressured Libby Copus-Brown just outside the box to win possession. Cassidy then calmly slid the ball past Newcastle goalkeeper Danielle Krzyzaniak to score her first-ever A-League Women’s goal.
However, Newcastle responded quickly, equalising in the 13th minute. Josie Allan was given too much time by the Glory defence, and she launched a powerful shot from outside the box that beat goalkeeper Miranda Templeman.
Newcastle then became the more dominant team, but a key change at halftime by Glory coach, Stephen Peters proved to be decisive as he introduced Sarah O’Donoghue for the second period, and her impact was almost immediate. In the 50th minute, Isobel Dalton’s blocked shot fell to O’Donoghue, who calmly slotted the ball home with a left-footed finish for her first-ever A-League Women goal.
O’Donoghue then played a pivotal role for Glory’s third goal in the 65th minute as she chased down a loose ball, forcing a poor clearance from Krzyzaniak. The ball then fell to Kelli Brown, who, spotting the keeper off her line, fired a long-range shot into the net for a stunning strike.
The Jets’ misery was compounded in the 68th minute when Krzyzaniak received a red card for handling the ball outside the box, about 20 metres from goal. It was as clear a red card as you will ever see and effectively ended any chance of Newcastle getting back into the game.
They did manage a late goal in the 93rd minute to provide a glimmer of hope of getting something from the game. Sheridan Gallagher, with little pressure from the Glory defence, fired a powerful shot from distance that left Templeman stranded.
Perth Glory: A Team in Transition
This was a very different Perth Glory team compared to their last meeting with Newcastle in Round 18 of the 2023/24 season, which ended in a 1-1 draw. Only Isobel Dalton featured for Glory in both games, highlighting the extent of the squad’s overhaul. Glory surprised many in Round 1 by taking a 2-0 lead against Melbourne City, before collapsing defensively. In this match, they showed resilience, taking an early lead, conceding an equaliser, but then turning things around in the second half to seal the win. Coach Stephen Peters emphasised that the team needs to maintain pressure on their opponents:
“When we stop doing that (forcing the opposition into mistakes) we’re very kamikaze on the back foot, and we need to be better,” he said.
Despite the turnover in players, there are clear signs that this Glory side is more aggressive and direct compared to last season.
Kelli Brown: Glory’s New Attacking Threat
When Perth signed New Zealand forward Kelli Brown from Wellington Phoenix, expectations were low due to her lack of goals during her two seasons there. However, her performances for Glory so far have been a revelation. Against Newcastle, Brown led the line with energy and intensity, playing a key role in the win. She scored a goal, was involved in the red card incident, and came close to scoring a second, with a chip shot just saved by substitute keeper Tiahna Robertson.
Substitutes Make the Difference
At halftime, Newcastle coach Ryan Campbell could have been the happier manager, with the game tied 1-1 and his team looking likely to score. However, the introduction of Sarah O’Donoghue and co-captain Onyinyechi Zogg changed the game in Glory’s favour. O’Donoghue added drive to the midfield, scoring one goal and providing an assist for another, while Zogg brought calmness to the defence. Peters spoke about the reasoning behind the substitutions:
“I just think the balance wasn’t right in the first half, and when you have someone of the calibre of Onyinyechi on the bench, you really want to get them in there,” he said.
Newcastle made their own change, bringing on Sheridan Gallagher in the 65th minute. Though she scored a stunning late goal (more on that below!), her impact was limited after the Jets went down to 10 players following the red card.
Glory’s Pressing Game Pays Off
Perth Glory capitalised on Newcastle’s high defensive line, pressuring the Jets into mistakes. Both Jets goalkeepers were often seen playing 15-20 metres outside their box, trying to keep the back line high. This allowed Glory to exploit the space behind the defence, eventually leading to mistakes that resulted in their two second-half goals. Krzyzaniak’s red card was also a consequence of being caught out of position.
Goal of the Season?
In the dying minutes of the game, Newcastle’s Sheridan Gallagher scored a stunning goal from at least 25 metres out. With no pressure from the Glory defence, she surged forward and unleashed a powerful shot that flew past Templeman. The sheer power and accuracy of the strike left the keeper with no chance and could be a contender for Goal of the Season.
SHERIDAN GALLAGHER THAT IS UNSTOPPABLE 🚀
She fires one into the top corner from way way way out. 2 games into her return to the @aleaguewomen she gets one back for @NewcastleJetsFC in spectacular fashion 😲#PERvNEW is live now on Paramount+ 📺 pic.twitter.com/xi9BnFmQ2p
— Paramount+ Australia (@ParamountPlusAU) November 10, 2024
