The Western Sydney Wanderers had plenty to be happy about after their first round loss to Perth Glory but will be disappointed not have taken at least a point home after a brave fight back.
It was a new look team for the Wanderers with seven players in the starting XI making their debut for the club but it was the worst possible start just 14 seconds in.
A Kim Carrol long ball was latched onto by Caitlin Doeglas for the Glory to open the scoring after just 14 seconds. The bad start was compounded when Rosie Sutton made it 2-0 for Perth midway through the first half.
Refusing to give up, the Wanderers did their best to fight back and almost had a goal when Paige Nielsen hit the crossbar.
It was a sign of things to come though as Joey Burgess scored the Red & Black’s first goal of the season in her first game since coming out of Westfield W-League retirement with a sublime finish.
Burgess was also the architect of the Wanderers’ equaliser as the veteran put in the cross that saw Helen Petinos make it 2-2.
The goal put a spring into the Red & Black’s step with further chances falling to Petinos and Katie Stengel before Nielsen hit the crossbar for the second time in the match.
Unfortunately for the Wanderers, Perth wrestled back the ascendency with Australian international Sam Kerr scoring twice in the final quarter of the match.
Next week sees the Wanderers take on Sydney FC in the Sydney Derby. The match kicks-off at Allianz Stadium at 2:30pm on Sunday and will be broadcast live on Fox Sports 505 and ABC TV.
Perth Glory 4 (Caitlin Doeglas 1’, Rosie Sutton 22’, Sam Kerr 68’, 83’)
Western Sydney Wanderers 2 (Joanne Burgess 39’, Helen Petinos 50’)
Western Sydney Wanderers: Casey Dumont (GK), Nikola Orgill, Caitlin Cooper (C), Alexis Arlitt, Alix Roberts, Paige Nielsen, Kendall Fletcher, Eliza Ammendolia, Helen Petinos (Sophie Hancock 64’), Joey Burgess (Chloe O’Brien 64’), Katie Stengel
Unused Substitutes: Courtney Newbon (GK), Angelique Hristodoulou
