Perth Glory’s finals tilt is gaining momentum after they romped to their fourth straight Liberty A-League victory with a 2-0 triumph over Brisbane.
Hana Lowry’s first-half double took the wind out of Brisbane’s sails on a warm Saturday afternoon at Macedonia Park.
The young talent capitalised on a goalkeeping shocker from Isabella Shuttleworth to put Glory on the board in the 22nd minute.
Shuttleworth had no trouble saving a floated shot from Cyera Hintzen but slipped while attempting to clear the ball, kicking it straight to Lowry who chipped it over her head from outside the box and into the open net.
Lowry’s second goal in the 31st minute was an ‘Olimpico’ stunner, her curling corner dipping in at the far post with Shuttleworth unable to get a hand to it.
The 19-year-old thought she had a third when she found the back of the net in the 51st minute but the effort was waved away because of a foul moments earlier on Ayesha Norrie.
Glory coach Alex Epakis believes the sky is the limit for Lowry.
“She just has moments of magic,” he said.
She can manipulate the body and the ball to do really special things under pressure and then she can also do what she did today and score from a corner.
The win lifts Perth above Brisbane to sixth on the ladder with a game in hand over most of their rivals in the race for a top-four finish.
Matildas duo Katrina Gorry and Larissa Crummer failed to spark the Roar, combining on multiple occasions, including on the verge of halftime when Morgan Aquino’s save denied Crummer from close range.
Aquino went one better in the 60th minute, diving to her left at the near post for a brilliant stop to deny Shea Connors’ sharp shot at goal.
Brisbane had more of the momentum after halftime, testing Perth’s defensive structure with multiple attacking forays.
But the Glory defenders stood tall and the hosts threatened to add to their lead with Sofia Sakalis twice hitting the crossbar late in the game.
“It was a really disjointed performance from us in possession,” Roar coach Garrath McPherson said.
“We were probably forced a little bit too often today to play into some contests and that was disappointing for the group.”
Perth have conceded just two goals over their past five games, a run which has included wins over ladder leaders Western United, Newcastle and Wellington and a 1-1 draw with defending champions Melbourne Victory.
Brisbane travel to face bottom-of-the-league Wellington next Saturday while Glory host Western Sydney – currently eighth – on Sunday.
