Preview: Perth Glory v Canberra United

Perth Glory v Canberra United 

Saturday 11 October 2014

Ashfield Sports Club, Perth

Local kick-off: 3pm (6pm AEDT)

Join the conversation on Twitter using match hashtag #PERvCBR

A year can be a long time in football, and rarely has that been better illustrated than by Perth Glory’s current Westfield W-League campaign, ahead of the visit by reigning premiers Canberra United.

Last season the Glory were erratic at best. And a crashing 5-1 win defeat in the nation’s capital was further proof of their unpredictable form.

This contest in the west shapes as very different. The Glory are living up to their name in emphatic fashion , and they hold down top spot on the ladder with the Westfield W-League’s only remaining perfect record, having nailed a club record 10-1 win over Western Sydney Wanderers last weekend.

Remarkably Perth have never beaten Canberra in their ten previous encounters, and this weekend provides a massive opportunity to reverse history.

The Glory have also benefitted from consistency in personnel with coach Jamie Harnwell fielding virtually the same XI each week.

Canberra have also been reasonably fortunate in that regard, although midfielder Grace Gill has been ruled out for up to months with injury, and the team still await the return of American Kendall Fletcher.

United though are finally hitting form and a confident 2-0 win over two-time champs Brisbane Roar last weekend means both teams enter a highly promising contest with self-assurance.

Perth Glory squad: 1. Mackenzie Arnold (gk), 2. Sarah Carroll, 3. Carys Hawkins, 4. Bronwyn Studman, 5. Shannon May, 6. Alanna Kennedy, 7. Gabrielle Marzano, 8. Shawn Billam, 9. Caitlin Foord, 12. Kate Gill, 13. Elisa D’Ovidio, 14. Collette McCallum (C), 15. Shelina Zadorsky, 17. Marianna Tabain, 18. Gabrielle Dal Busco (gk), 20. Sam Kerr

Ins: Carys Hawkins (promoted)

Outs: none

Unavailable: none

Canberra United squad: 1. Chantel JONES, 2. Catherine BROWN, 3. Julia DE ANGELIS, 5. Grace FIELD, 6. Caitlin MUNOZ, 7. Ellie BRUSH, 11. Michelle HEYMAN, 12. Sally ROJAHN, 13. Nicole BEGG, 14. Ashleigh SYKES, 16. Lori LINDSEY, 17. Holly HOUSTON, 18. Rebecca KITING, 20. Melissa MAIZELS (gk), 22. Stephanie OCHS

Ins: none

Outs: none

Unavailable: Kendall FLETCHER (overseas), Meg McLAUGHLIN (knee – 6-8 weeks), Grace MAHER (Australia U-17s), Grace GILL (ankle – 6-8 weeks)