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Big guns shine in W-League openers

Roar Guru
14th September, 2014
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Perth Glory’s Kate Gill and Canberra United’s Michelle Heyman both kicked-off the W-League season in goalscoring form to help their respective sides to opening wins and stake an early claim for Women’s World Cup selection.

2013 W-League Golden Boot winner Gill scored in each half to lead Perth to a deserved 2-1 win over the league’s most successful side Brisbane Roar.

The newly strengthened Glory proving their title credentials with victory over a Roar side featuring nine internationals.

Gill opened the scoring on 12 minutes from close range and then converted a penalty early in the second half, with Brisbane not finding the net until Emily Gielnik fired home with virtually the last kick of the game.

Canberra United were always in control against Western Sydney Wanderers thanks to Heyman’s first-half double at Campbelltown Stadium.

The youthful Wanderers side rarely looked likely to get a foothold in the game, and Caitlin Munoz and Ellie Brush had extended the advantage by the midway point of the second period. W-League debutant Demi Koulizakis pulled a goal back for the home side in injury time to make the score 4-1 to Canberra.

Two-time champions Sydney FC turned in a confident performance in claiming a 2-0 win over the visiting Adelaide United.

Despite losing several headline names during the off-season the Sydneysiders collected a relatively comfortable 2-0 win on the back of a brace from new American striker Jasmyne Spencer.

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Nicola Bolger rattled the crossbar for the Sky Blues, while the visitors also struck the frame of the goal with a speculative effort from Lisa-Marie Woods. Adelaide’s veteran Matildas goalkeeper Melissa Barbieri was regularly called into action and saved her side on several occasions.

On Saturday, last year’s also-rans Newcastle Jets claimed the first upset of the season with a 1-0 win over reigning champions Melbourne Victory.

A lone strike from American import Angela Salem just after half-time proved the difference, and ended a 19-match winless streak for the Jets stretching back to November 2012.

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