Westfield W-League Recap: Perth Alone In First And Sydney FC Bids Goodbye To Stajcic

[dropcap size=small]A[/dropcap] recap of the action in the Westfield W-League, featuring the back story to the games, the players who made the difference, team of the week, and a look ahead to the match ups you don’t want to miss from Rachael Caldwell.

The Games

Canberra United 2 (Field 36’, Own Goal 57’) – 0 Brisbane Roar 

The Narrative: After falling to Melbourne last round, Canberra is back on track after a solid shutout win against a struggling Brisbane side. One of last year’s grand finalists, Brisbane has had a rather surprising start to the season, losing three of its first four games with the only win in that stretch coming against Newcastle. The visitors will rue several missed chances from this match, which could have easily shifted the scoreline in their favor. Next up, Brisbane faces a Western Sydney side coming off a historic defeat while Canberra has a big match up looming with Perth. 

The Player: Major props to Grace Field for scoring her first ever goal for Canberra. Field was able to poke home a ball during chaos that ensued in the box after a Lori Lindsey corner kick, giving Canberra a deserved lead going into halftime. Field also put in some excellent defensive work throughout the match to ensure a clean sheet for Canberra. The defender was a force in the air during the game, ensuring that Brisbane’s early possession didn’t result in any goals.

Worth A Shout: Michelle Heyman didn’t have a goal or an assist in this game, shocking, I know, but she continued her excellent start to the season in this tough contest. While Brisbane controlled the midfield and much of the possession early on, Heyman did well to fight defensively throughout the game and create chances on the counter. She should have had a goal in the game had it not be changed to an own goal.

Adelaide United 0 – 4 Newcastle Jets (Huster 28’, van Egmond 45’, Dobson 48’ 73’)

The Narrative: Along with Western Sydney, Adelaide is the only other team in the W-League that’s yet to earn a single point this season. Through four games Adelaide has scored just one goal and allowed ten. They seem to be following a similar path to that of Newcastle last year. As for this season, Newcastle has turned into a solid mid-table team. Newcastle put in both solid offensive and defensive performances to grab a shutout win. Next week will be tougher as they face unbeaten Sydney FC. As for Adelaide, they will continue their search for its first point of the season against Melbourne.

The Player: There were braces aplenty in this round of W-League play, and Rhali Dobson was part of the club. Dobson netted two goals in the second half of the competition to put it out of reach for Adelaide and ensured three important points for Newcastle. There aren’t too many true forwards on this Newcastle squad, so Dobson may need to keep her production up as the season wears on. If Newcastle wants to seriously contend for the playoffs, they’ll need to find a way around tougher defenses.

Worth A Shout: While Tori Huster hasn’t been blowing up the stat sheet so far in this W-League season, the midfielder has played a big part in the recent turn around from Newcastle. Huster is a physical presence in the middle of the field, and, aside from her defensive strengths, she can also contribute offensively as she showed in this match.

Western Sydney Wanderers 1 (Petinos 51’) – 10 Perth Glory (Kerr 45’ 45+1’, Gill 49’ 53’ 60’ 69’ 78’, Foord 54’ 86’, Kennedy 73’)

The Narrative: Last round I said that Perth had yet to put together a totally dominant 90-minute performance. Well, that still rings true, but it doesn’t make ten second half goals any less impressive. Coming into the season the attacking combo of Kerr and Gill had defenses shaking in their boots, and now that they’ve both found their form it seems there is not stopping them. However, next round could prove difficult as Perth matches up with Canberra. As for Western Sydney, they look to grab their first point of the season against the Brisbane Roar.

The Player: Take a bow, Kate Gill. The forward was one of last year’s top scorers in the W-League and she is certainly on track for more of the same this season. Perth put on a finishing clinic in the second half in which Gill put up a hat trick in just eleven minutes. As if that wasn’t ridiculous enough, she went on to add two more goals in the club’s record win. Gill has been the most consistent piece of Perth’s offense, and will be key to their success this season.

Worth A Shout: Sam Kerr scored her first goal of the season last time out, and this time she was able to score two goals in the first half. Kerr notched her brace in less than a minute, scoring off of two excellent crosses into the box, one from a corner kick, from Collette McCallum. On any other day Kerr probably gets player of the match, but it’s just a shout out this time around.

Sydney FC 1 (Spencer 60’) – 1 Melbourne Victory (Simon 86’) 

The Narrative: Melbourne was lucky to leave this match with a point while Sydney will be kicking itself for letting a victory slip away in the final five minutes. While Sydney has still yet to lose a match this season, the tie drops them to second place on the table behind the unbeaten and untied Perth Glory. The point likely means more to Melbourne, which allowed the visitors to stay ahead of Newcastle on the table. Next, Sydney looks to remain among the unbeaten against a surging Newcastle Jets side. Melbourne will more than likely add three points to their season total as they face a struggling Adelaide squad.

The Player: Jasmyne Spencer comes up clutch yet again for Sydney in her first W-League season. Spencer has scored four goals in four games, and her scoring streak now sits at two matches. I said last round that it would be interesting to see how Spencer did against the best defense she’s faced so far this season and she was more than up to the task. The forward’s goal probably should have been the game-winner if not for a late defensive lapse.

Worth A Shout: This week’s shout out is a special one, and it goes to Sky Blue head coach Alen Stajcic. This was Stajcic’s last game in charge of Sydney FC as he leaves to become the head coach of the Matildas. The coach has been a mainstay for Sydney and the W-League, coaching the squad since 2008. New head coach Daniel Barrett will take over the head coaching position starting next round for Sydney FC. 

Team of the Week

Perth Glory

Four games in and four straight wins for Perth, which now sits all alone atop the W-League table and earns the team of the week honors. While Western Sydney certainly isn’t a squad that’s expected to challenge for the W-League title, hanging 10 goals on any defense is nothing short of impressive. Sam Kerr has started to find her finishing form, and along with Kate Gill heads a dangerous Glory attack that doesn’t seem to be stopping anytime soon. With all the changes made to this squad after a disappointing 2013-2014 campaign, it seems all of the new faces are coming together without any problems.

Next Week’s Game to Watch

Perth Glory vs Canberra United

Perth’s quest to continue an undefeated season could hit an early snag as it faces off against a Canberra side that is arguably one of the strongest in the league. So far this season Canberra has beaten the teams it’s expected to beat, but failed to get results against top teams, losing 4-2 against Melbourne. On the other side, Perth is the only true undefeated team left in the league, although their competition thus far has been relatively tame. This game is a chance for both teams to show just how big of a contender they are, and if we can expect them to be vying for the title come the end of the season.