Canberra United have fallen to a narrow defeat to Perth Glory on the road, going down by one goal to nil at the Sam Kerr Football Centre in a tough encounter,
As they did last week against Sydney FC, United started off the match as the stronger of the two sides, with an early corner their first warning shot of the evening.
With the exception of a free kick from Bethany Gordon close to the edge of the box, properly threatening chances were few and far between for both sides with much of the game being played in the middle of the park.
Emma Hawkins was using her pace to advantage to get in behind the Perth backline but with ‘keeper Teresa Morrissey was quick off her line to clear the ball away.
Looking to put a first half where genuine attacking opportunities were rare behind them, United started well in the second half, with Hawkins winning an early corner. Jazmin Wardlow rose highest to meet the out-swinging ball, with her headed effort cleared away.
Hayley Taylor-Young was the next to try her luck, cutting in from the left but unfortunately drove her shot over the bar.
The hosts had a golden opportunity to take the lead with Susan Phonsongkham hitting a strong first-time volley, forcing Sally James into a top-quality reflex save.
Phonsongkham would force another quality save from James, with the ‘keeper making a low diving save to her right and out for a corner.
It was off that corner that the hosts would take the lead as an in-swinging ball from Phonsongkham deflected off Liz Anton and into the back of the net.
Looking down the barrel of defeat, United threw absolutely everything at Perth with a flurry of chances in the dying minutes. Gordon found herself unmarked in the box, with the midfielder’s shot curling past the post.
Despite applying significant pressure in the closing stages, Canberra United were unable to find an equaliser, falling to defeat in Western Australia.
