Maggie Jenkins’ header lifts Perth Glory to 1-0 road win over Central Coast

Perth Glory have climbed to equal-top of the A-League Women table with another eye-catching victory after toppling ladder-leaders Central Coast Mariners 1-0 in Gosford thanks to a late Maggie Jenkins header.

Kiwi striker Jenkins’ first goal in Glory colours proved the difference as Perth came out victorious in their top of the table match to inflict a first defeat of the season on Central Coast.

Against a Central Coast side who had scored freely in their first four games, Perth became the first side to keep them goalless as they claimed their fourth clean sheet in five matches to move level with the Mariners on points, albeit behind them on goal difference.

It was another superb Perth defensive performance, led by centre-backs Onyi Zogg and Baxter Thew in front of assured goalkeeper Alyssa Dall’Oste with left-back Julia Sardo once again excelling, which laid the foundations for Glory’s win.

While Glory struggled to create many serious chances of note or properly test former Perth shot-stopper Morgan Aquino up the other end, they nullified a Central Coast side who had scored 12 goals in four matches.

It was left to Jenkins to break the deadlock late, as the Kiwi out-jumped her marker in the 78th minute to nod home a cross from Emma Tovar — who was once again vital in midfield alongside partner-in-crime Georgia Cassidy.

After taking just seven points from 10 away games last year, Perth have already matched that feat from their first three away games ahead of next weekend’s trip to third-placed Melbourne Victory.

Central Coast impressed on the break with star midfielder Peta Trimis looming large, but they often struggled to play their way through Perth’s high press, which resulted in Glory’s best chances.

When Trimis’ backwards pass missed its intended target in the ninth minute, Jenkins swooped, but amid the intentions of the nearby Te Reremoana Walker, saw her attempt picked out of the air by Aquino in goal.

While Perth has struggled to impose themselves in possession early, Cassidy won plenty of 50-50 ball in the middle of the park and playing as a lone midfield pivot, was slowly able to help her side establish more of a foothold.

Glory’s best passage came in the 19th minute when they worked the ball well through midfield and out wide to Sardo, whose clever pass inside ended in a Susan Phonsongkham shot flying wide.

Central Coast looked most dangerous down their right hand side with Trimis drifting inside to allow for full-back Danika Matos to provide width.

The defender caused Perth issues with two a pair of crosses in quick succession late in the half, the latter of which narrowly missed the desperate, sliding boot of Talia Kapetanellis.

With the game on the line after the restart, the Mariners took the initiative and Trimis perhaps should have scored in the 52nd minute when Kaiya Buchanan’s cross ended at her feet, but Dall’Oste came up trumps in goal.

And Central Coast were guilty of wasting another chance just after the hour mark when Matsos beat substitute Clancy Westaway to a loose ball and initiated a three-on-one breakaway, but Halmarick opted to shoot from outside the box and Dall’Oste watched it wide.

The pendulum began to swing back Perth’s way late, with Thew heading wide from a corner and Ella Lincoln testing Aquino from distance.

But after Jenkins rose in a packed six-yard box to thump home a header from Tovar’s inch-perfect cross, Glory’s defence held firm against waves of Mariners attacks to secure all three points.