A-League Women: Perth Glory come from behind twice to beat Newcastle Jets 3-2 and keep finals hopes alive

Perth Glory have surged into fifth on the A-League Women ladder with one of their best wins of the season, as Tijan McKenna’s 85th-minute winner secured a come-from-behind 3-2 win over Newcastle Jets. Having failed to win after trailing all season, Perth came back from a goal down not once, but twice as they took a significant step towards their first finals berth since 2019. Emma Dundas gave the Jets an early lead, but Glory grabbed a deserved equaliser just before half-time when the recalled Gabby Hollar’s expertly-weighted chip found the net. Newcastle’s Melina Ayers outstanding, acrobatic volley gave the hosts back the advantage, but Clancy Westaway’s first A-League goal levelled the scores — and then McKenna’s late strike from a corner sealed a valuable three points. It was just the second time Glory have won on the road this season, and while a Brisbane Roar win on Sunday would drop them to sixth, victory ensured they will end the weekend just two points off second-placed Wellington Phoenix. Perth coach Stephen Peters was forced into two changes down the left flank pre-game, with winger Susan Phonsongkham (foot) and full-back Julia Sardo (calf) out injured. Peters had described the game as a banana skin match for Perth’s finals hopes, and his words appeared ominous in the 16th minute when Glory slipped behind. McKenna got caught in possession, Sophie Hoban roared forward, and although her effort was denied by the post, Dundas rifled home the rebound. The Jets had chances to double their lead as Teresa Morrissey saved well from Ayers, before Josie Allan headed over at the back post. But Perth grew into the game and had their chances as Rola Badawiya was thwarted by Georgia Ritchie, Hollar blazed over, Ella Lincoln shot with Hollar in a better position and then Grace Johnston’s well-struck attempt from distance was tipped over. And just when it looked like Newcastle would preserve their lead at the break, Hollar gleefully intercepted an errant back pass and, noticing Ritchie well out of goal, composed herself before chipping the ‘keeper to draw level. Perth thought they had hit the front five minutes after the restart when Badawiya looked to have cashed in a goal-mouth scramble, but referee Isabella Mossin ruled goalkeeper Ritchie had her hands on the ball when Badawiya kicked it. 12 minutes later, the Jets re-took the lead in spectacular fashion as the dangerous Ayera leapt into the air to dispatch a volley into the corner of the net. But Glory never felt out of the game; after Isobel Dalton’s long-range effort flew just wide, Lincoln capitalised on a turnover deep and picked out Westaway to roll the ball home in the 68th minute. McKenna almost won it with 14 minutes to go after charging into the box and hitting the side-netting — but she made amends five minutes from time, guiding the ball into the net after it fell to her from a corner.