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8.1.2026
RANGERS CONSIDERING LOAN MOVE FOR BENNIE
Queens Park Rangers winger Daniel Bennie has attracted loan interest from a host of League One clubs amid the January transfer window. It's been reported the Australia Under-20 international, a star performer for the R's Development Squad, could depart West London this month in favour of a loan move, with second tier Wycombe Wanderers a potential candidate.
Bennie, 19, has notched an impressive return of seven goals and three assists in nine appearances for the Development Squad this season. But first team opportunities have been limited to just a single outing in a 3-2 League Cup loss away at Plymouth Argyle back in August, when he put his team into a 1-0 lead.
7.1.2026
MCKENNA’S VERSATILITY A BLESSING
Stephen Peters admits he does not know what Tijan McKenna’s best position is, but the Perth Glory coach has hailed her selfless sacrifices for the team. 21-year old McKenna was lured back to the club from Melbourne City as a central midfielder, but excelled last season as a full-back and has filled in in the heart of defence this term.
McKenna has been an important part of Glory’s current three-game home winning streak with Peters saying he’s happy with how she has adapted to her new role. “I actually don’t know what her best position is. She’s good at all three and it’s what’s best for the team at that particular time,” Peters said.
“If Tijan gets the little mishaps out of her game and the moments where she maybe underestimates incidents in the game, she gets those mistakes out of her game and she’s a first-class player, first-class athlete. We’ve got a lot of respect for her in the team and she’s showing everyone what she’s about.”
McKenna has filled three different positions so far this season, something her coach concedes if far from ideal. “She’s not overly thrilled she gets chopped and changed every week. It’s a little bit frustrating for her, but she’s seeing the big picture, which is putting the team first and that’s a really good attribute she has,” Peters added.
“She’s got a good relationship with the WA girls in the squad. Playing in the centre-back position, she gets to link up with (midfielder) Georgia (Cassidy) more and (full-back) Grace Johnston at times as well. She’s enjoying those aspects.”
Peters said Glory’s improvement over the past month had been borne from the tight-knit squad fighting for one another and praised their depth for showing up when needed. “Resilience is probably the key one, but there’s also a togetherness about them. They’re all on the same page in terms of what they’re wanting out of the game, which is nice,” he commented.
“The pleasing thing about that is it doesn’t matter who’s in and out of the team, they’re all bringing that to the table. There’s been games where (Clancy) Westaway started and she’s brought that to the table, here’s been games where (Mischa) Anderson has started and brought that to the table. It’s really pleasing we’re getting that consistency from a larger part of the squad.” Bennie, 19, has notched an impressive return of seven goals and three assists in nine appearances for the Development Squad this season. But first team opportunities have been limited to just a single outing in a 3-2 League Cup loss away at Plymouth Argyle back in August, when he put his team into a 1-0 lead.
6.1.2026
GLORY DUO DEPART CLUB
Perth Glory’s transfer window has begun, with the club moving two players on, and a number of players being reported as coming on board to replace them. Khoa Ngo has joined Vietnamese League 1 club Cong An Ho Chi Minh City on loan, while Nathanial Blair has left the club to pursue opportunities elsewhere. After scoring his first Isuzu Ute A-League goal for Perth Glory last Friday evening against Melbourne Victory, Ngo has moved on to gain more first team experience.
The 19-year-old, who was born in Perth, with Vietnamese parents, and played his junior football at Joondalup United and Perth RedStar, before joining the Glory Academy. Ngo impressed and signed for the senior side, and went on to make 26 appearances since debuting for his hometown club in April 2024, six of which were starts, making his debut in the 4-3 defeat against Western United. He was the first player of Vietnamese heritage to feature in the A-League, and will remain with Cong An Ho Chi Minh City FC until the end of the current A-League campaign.
Glory Football Director Stan Lazaridis believes that the move will greatly accelerate Ngo’s development. “Khoa will receive more playing opportunities and gametime with Cong An Ho Chi Minh City FC and that is exactly what he needs at this stage of his career,” he said. “Khoa is an exceptional person and an extremely popular member of the playing group who has conducted himself superbly throughout his time at Glory. This is a wonderful opportunity for him at both a professional and personal level and he goes with our very best wishes.”
Meanwhile 21-year-old Blair has had his contract terminated by mutual consent to enable him to pursue an opportunity elsewhere. The striker who is currently away with the Australian U23s squad for the Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia, has made 16 A-League appearances in purple after joining the club ahead of the 2024/25 season, having previously played for Western Sydney Wanderers. But he has struggled to make an impact, and Lazaridis believes that the move is the best outcome for both parties.
“Nathanael needs gametime and he hasn’t been getting that with us this season,” he said. “He’s looking to establish himself as a regular starter and feels that a fresh start elsewhere will give him the best chance of doing that. We would like to thank Nathanael for the contribution that he has made on and off the field during his time at Glory and wish him all the very best in the next stage of his career.”
5.1.2026
GALLOWAY SIGNS WITH MELBOURNE’S PRESTON
Former A-League defender Scott Galloway has signed with Victorian club Preston Lions for the coming National Premier League season. The 30-year old full-back left Auckland following an interrupted 2024/25 season in which he was struck by a calf injury after making just four appearances off the bench.
“With over a decade at the top level, championships to his name, and a reputation for professionalism and consistency, Scott adds enormous quality, leadership and experience to our squad,” the Lions said in a statement confirming Galloway’s recruitment.
Galloway played locally for Gosnells City and Cockburn City before entering the Australian Institute of Sport in 2012. He has subsequently made over 250 professional appearances for Melbourne Victory, Central Coast Mariners, Wellington Phoenix, Adelaide United, Melbourne City and Auckland.
5.1.2026
PETERS OPTIMISTIC ABOUT FURTHER IMPROVEMENTS
Perth Glory coach Stephen Peters believes his team are continuing to trend in the right direction but says further improvements need to be forthcoming after yet another slender win. Isobel Dalton’s first-half strike gave Glory a 1-0 victory over Newcastle Jets on Saturday night, which was their third win by that scoreline in the past four matches.
Peters gave his players a lot of credit for turning things around after an earlier four-game winless run and was happy to see teh group take the right lessons from their battling 3-1 defeat to Melbourne City last week. But he felt Glory had chances to put Newcastle out of the game, which would have prevented them from having to withstand the visitor’s late pressure.
“Once we broke that first line of pressure, we created some good chances... I’m very proud of the girls, and a third clean sheet in a row at home is very satisfying,” Peters said. “We were making silly errors with the ball at times, a little bit too casual at times. When the passes were concise and with a bit of quality, we looked good.”
“At times we made some silly mistakes, but that’s football, we’re still learning. I asked them to put a mix of the performances of Wellington and Adelaide games and the football we played against City and there were some glimpses of that, so I think we’re on the right path.”
What was most pleasing for Peters was the effort of his players to preserve a third home clean sheet in a row after they leaked goals earlier this season. “They’re doing it for each other, which is the most pleasing thing. The substitutes as well, to come on and bring the energy and the tactical nous - I thought Ella Lincoln was terrific,” Peters said.
“Mischa (Anderson) took getting dropped out of the starting line-up with pure class; comes on, does the job, is vocal straight away, and the girls respect her highly. (Tijan) McKenna has played 100 positions for us this season, she keeps doing her work, I thought Emma Tovar was superb.”
3.1.2026
SKIPPER WINS IT FOR GLORY
Perth Glory returned to the top six of the Ninja A-League, after a hard fought 1-0 win in the week 11 clash against Newcastle Jets at Sam Kerr Football Centre on Saturday evening. Skipper Isobel Dalton scored the only goal of the game early in the encounter, and they had chances to put the game to bed, but failed to take them. The visitors piled on the pressure late, but keeper Teresa Morrissey produced some fine saves to keep them at bay, the win making it three consecutive victories for Glory at home. “It was a hard-fought win, and a must win for us tonight,” Dalton said post-match.
“There were big parts of the game we’re we really performed, so everyone is really happy. Like many games at Sam Kerr this season, it was a gritty performance, we had to dig deep, but we’ve got the character amongst the group, the players have come and they know that’s their job, and we stick together as a group in those moments. Stephen spoke at half time, and we knew it wasn’t going to be an easy second half. and the Jets were going to come out firing, and we probably needed a second goal to settle things down, but obviously it didn’t come.”
Peters made two changes to the side beaten by Melbourne City last week, with Sarah O’Donoghue and Onyinyechi Zogg coming into the side, with Rola Badawiya missing out with injury, while Mischa Anderson dropped to the bench. It was perfect start for the hosts, and the returning O’Donoghue, hitting the front on eight minutes. A poor clearance from Jets keeper Anna Leat was intercepted, and it fell to Susan Phonsongkham, who slipped O’Donoghue down the right channel, and she cut the ball back to Dalton, who made no mistake from the edge of the box.
Glory continued to dictate terms, and Leat made up for her error for the goal, punching clear Georgia Cassidy’s in-swinging corner from under her crossbar. The Jets settled, but couldn’t find a way past a tight Glory defence, lead by the returning Zogg and the impressive Tijan McKenna. They had a couple of half chances, with Sophe Hoban twice testing Morrissey, who saved comfortably. Glory looked dangerous and went close to another on the half hour, O’Donoghue picked the pocket of Natasha Prior and raced in on goal, but Leat stood tall to make the save, before Emma Tovar’s long-range shot flashed just wide.
It was more of the same after the break, and Glory went close to second eight minutes into the second half, great work down the right by Phonsongkham saw her get to the by-line and cross to O’Donoghue, whose first time shot whistled inches wide of the far post. Morrissey produced a smart save to deny Josie Allan’s shot from the edge of the box shortly after, as the Jets lifted their intensity. Both sides had chances, as the game opened up Melina Ayres for the visitors, before Leat saved to deny Ella Lincoln.
Harley Johnson again tested Morrissey ten minutes from time, but once again the Glory custodian saved. Johnson had another chance in the final minute, but her close-range header was saved by Morrissey. Glory went close to a second in stoppage time, another poor clearance by Leat was picked off by Clancy Westaway, who raced into goal, Leat stood tall to block her shot, and the keeper then produced a great save to deny Tovar from the rebound, but it was Glory celebrating three points at the final whistle.
As a result, Perth have leapt into the top six, level on points with fifth placed Wellington Phoenix, after the victory and will be looking to consolidate on their home form when they host cellar dwellers Western Sydney Wanderers next Friday night. Meanwhile, Newcastle sits eighth after eight matches, although Adelaide and Sydney can both jump the Jets with wins tomorrow, and they will welcome the third placed Central Coast Mariners next Saturday in the F3 Derby.
Perth Glory: GK Teresa MORRISSEY, 3 Emma TOVAR, 5 Grace JOHNSTON, 6 Tijan MCKENNA, 8 Georgia CASSIDY (27 Charli WAINWRIGHT 73’), 10 Susan PHONSONGKHAM (28 Clancy WESTAWAY 83’), 12 Bronte TREW (25 Ella LINCOLN 46’), 19 Sarah O’DONOGHUE (2 Mischa ANDERSON 63’), 23 Isobel DALTON (9 Gabby HOLLAR 63’), 24 Julia SARDO, 29 Onyinyechi ZOGG - Subs not used: RGK Meg PHILLIPS
Newcastle Jets: GK Anna LEAT, 2 Josie WILSON (15 Emma BATES 77'), 3 Claudia CICCO, 4 Natasha PRIOR, 6 Cassidy DAVIS (9 Haley JOHNSON 70'), 8 Emma DUNDAS, 13 Lauren ALLAN (10 Libby COPUS-BROWN 69'), 14 Melina AYRES (44 Kelli BROWN 69'), 18 Sophie HOBAN, 26 Josie ALLAN, 32 Claire ADAMS (7 India BREIER 77') - Subs not used: RGK Georgia RITCHIE - Attendance: 948 - Referee: Rebecca DURCAU
3.1.2026
RIAK SIGNS FOR ADELAIDE UNITED
Former Bayswater City, Stirling Macedonia, Olympic Kingsway and Inglewood United striker Ajak Riak has signed for Isuzu Ute A-League side Adelaide United for the rest of the season, with an option for a further season. The 25-year-old South Sudan international has signed from Uzbekistan Super League side AGMK, and the big striker will add to the Reds attacking options.
Born in Nairobi and raised in Australia, Riak developed his game in the NPLWA, before moving to Bentleigh Greens in Victoria, before joining South Melbourne, and then heading overseas. The striker is delighted to be back in Australia, and is looking forward to the season ahead. “United felt like the right fit for me at this point in my career. I’m excited to be part of the journey and family here at Coopers Stadium,” he explained.
“It’s an exciting opportunity to join United, and I can’t wait to contribute to the team’s success.” On his football journey he gained national attention during Bentleigh Greens’ 2022 Australia Cup run, scoring in the Round of 16 against Sydney FC, and followed that with a strong 2023 season at South Melbourne, netting 10 goals from 23 appearances.
His club form led to a senior international debut for South Sudan in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Congo in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualification, and he has been plying his trade in Indonesia with PSS Sieman and in Moldova with Sheriff Tiraspol, where he featured in the UEFA Europa League and UEFA Conference League, before heading to AGMK.
“We’re delighted to welcome Ajak to the Club. He adds a unique profile to the squad that we haven’t previously had, and we’re excited about the qualities he brings,” Adelaide United Football Business Manager Mitch van Gellekom said. “We look forward to working with him as he continues to develop over the coming years and seeing the impact he can make.” The striker has joined his new teammates and will be available once transfer paperwork is completed in the January window.
2.1.2026
JONES NOT ACCEPTING EXCUSES AFTER COLCHESTER LOSS
MK Dons defender Gethin Jones says his team have to start finding ways to win in difficult conditions after their stoppage time defeat cost them valuable points to Colchester. The game on New Year’s Day looked destined to finish goal-less in a low-quality encounter before Colchester stole victory with a stoppage time penalty conversion.
The condition of the pitch in Essex raised questions from both head coach Paul Warne and Jones after the game, but the Socceroo said there are no excuses for dropping points. "I know what League Two is about," Jones said. "You come to grounds like this where the pitches aren't the best, and it makes life hard for us to play the way we want to play."
"But you have to find a way, you have to play the conditions. We didn't do that today and we've come away with nothing. We're massively disappointed in the way we've lost the game. It wasn't a good game to play in. The conditions were difficult, we’ve all had a lot of games in quick succession and we've had some injuries too."
Discussing the penalty decision, which saw referee Stephen Parkinson take his time before pointing to the spot, Jones continued: "The ref didn't exactly know what to do himself, he's waited a few seconds before giving it. Through the whole game, there were decisions we questioned for both teams. But it was hugely disappointing to concede the penalty and to lose the game."
"There were a few chances for both teams, but I think 0-0 would have been the fair result. We've created a few more chances in the second-half than we did in the first, and we weren't happy with how we performed before half-time." After dropping points to Notts County in the final game of 2025, Thursday’s loss means Dons now sit sixth in League Two and eight behind leaders Bromley.
2.1.2026
GLORY EDGED OUT IN A FIVE GOAL THRILLER IN MELBOURNE
Perth Glory have ended their two-game road trip to Victoria with a narrow 2-3 defeat against Melbourne Victory in the week 11 Isuzu Ute A-League clash at AAMI Park on Friday evening. Coming off a superb win against the reigning Champions City last week, Glory lead early through Trent Ostler, but goals either side of half time from Louis D’Arrigo and Nishan Velupillay but the hosts in control. When Santos added a third for Victory it looked game over, but Khoe Ngo pulled one back ten minutes from time, and Glory pressed for the equaliser late, but the host hung on to take the points.
“The fight is defiantly there, but disappointing was the first goal we conceded with the last kick of the first half and that gave them a lot more momentum,” Glory Head Coach Adam Giffiths said post-match. “We then did things we don’t normally do, which allowed the game to get away from us a little. But the fight was there to try and get back into the game, but we got beaten by a better Victory team on the night. Obviously against a team like this you need to take your chances, and it would have springboarded the momentum, similar to the Melbourne City game, but we didn’t do that. When players come on, they made a difference and that’s important for the team, and we’re gaining depth, and before we didn’t have that.”
Griffiths selected the same side that beat City last week, but on the bench English midfielder Luke Amos returned from his long-term injury. Backed by another big away following, Glory made the perfect start and were ahead on 12 minutes. Charbel Shamoon’s ball down the right sent Rhys Bozinovski racing clear, and his cut back picked out Ostler, who finished well past Victory keeper Jack Duncan. The Glory faithful thought they had a second moments later Nicholas Pennington’s cross was turned home by Tom Lawrence, but their celebrations were cut short, with the linesman’s flag up for offside.
The hosts hit back and Socceroos striker Velupillay’s shot from the edge of the box almost beat Matt Sutton, but the Glory custodian did enough to turn it around the post. But Glory should have added a second shortly after, Lawrence sending Arion Sulemani one-on-one with Duncan, but the former Glory keeper stood tall and made a smart fingertip save to deny him. Victory ended the half the better, and a looping header from Denis Genreau smacked the crossbar.
Then Spanish midfielder Juan Mata fired over the top after being picked out at the back post by the lively Velupillay. The Glory defence were under the cosh, but it looked like they would survive till the break, but in the sixth minutes of stoppage time the hosts levelled. A shot from the edge of the box was deflected out to Adama Traore on the left, he sent the ball back into the mix and D’Arrigo fired through a crowded penalty area and beat Matt Sutton, to send the sides in level at the break.
The hosts were on the front foot after half time and Mata fired narrowly wide early on, and the former Manchester United star was involved again on 52 minutes when Victory hit the front. His corner picked out Velupillay, whose first time shot took a slight deflection off Shamoon and found the net. Glory went to the bench with Adam Taggart and Ngo replacing Ostler and Sulemani, and both sides had half chances. First Bozinovski’s shot from the edge of the box was too high, before Matt Sutton got down to deny Velupillay. But on 71 minutes it was Victory who added a third.
Genreau managing to elude two Glory defenders on the byline and slip the ball to Mata whose cut-back was turned home by Santos. But Glory were incensed, thinking the ball had gone out, but the goal stood, and Glory had it all to do. Griffiths went to the bench again bringing on Amos and Gio De Abreu, and moments later they were back in it. Amos picked the pocket of Genreau in the middle of the park and he sent Ngo in down the left channel and the youngster made no mistake, scoring his first A-League goal. Glory pressed late but couldn’t find the equaliser.
“Chances in the first half cost us, if we went in at half time 2-0 it would be a totally different game, and we can kick off from there, but that goal just before half time dampened the mood a bit,” goalscorer Trent Ostler said post-match. “We came out pretty good, but conceded a couple of soft goals, which probably let us down tonight. When Khoa scored that goal late we were back in the game, and anything can happen, but it wasn’t our night tonight.”
Not the result Glory were looking for, but from a performance perspective, it was another positive, and with players coming back from injury, it’s something to build on for Griffiths. The win, the fourth on the bounce for Arthur Diles’ side sees them jump to fifth on the ladder, while defeat sees Glory stay in eight, but only two points out of the top six. They are back in action on January 10, when they host Central Coast Mariners at HBF Park (6:45pm)
Melbourne Victory: GK Jack DUNCAN, 2 Jason DAVIDSON, 9 Nikolaos VERGOS, 10 Denis GENREAU (19 Jing REEC 85'), 11 SANTOS (29 Oliver DRAGICEVIC 85'), 15 Sebastian ESPOSITO, 16 Joshua INSERRA, 17 Nishan VELUPILLAY (23 Keegan JELACIC 77'), 21 Roderick MIRANDA (3 Adama TRAORE 17'), 27 Louis D’ARRIGO, 64 Juan MATA (14 Matthew GRIMALDI 77') - Subs not used: RGK Jack WARSHAWSKY, 28 Kayne RAZMOVSKI
Perth Glory: GK Matt SUTTON, 2 Charbel SHAMOON, 3 Sam SUTTON, 4 Scott WOOTTON, 7 Nicholas PENNINGTON (39 Giovanni DE ABREU 77'), 17 Arion SULEMANI (22 Adam TAGGART 54'), 18 Rhys BOZINOVSKI (10 Luke AMOS 77'), 20 Trent OSTLER (26 Khoa NGO 54'), 27 Will FRENEY, 34 Tom LAWRENCE, 45 Brian KALTAK – Subs not used: RGK Ryan WARNER, 5 Riley FOXE, 24 Andriano LEBIB - Referee: Casey Reibelt
1.1.2026
LORY'S ENGLISH MIDFIELDER RETURNS FOR VICTORY CLASH
Luke Amos will return to Perth Glory's squad, for Friday evenings Isuzu Ute A-League clash against Melbourne Victory. The former Tottenham Hotspur and Queens Park Rangers midfielder joined Glory last February, and the 28-year-old made an immediate impact, but injury has seen him miss all games this season. But his return will give the side a real boost, and give Head coach Adam Griffiths some selection headaches.
Melbourne Victory squad: GK Jack DUNCAN, GK Jack WARSHAWSKY, 2 Jason DAVIDSON, 3 Adama TRAORE, 4 Lachlan JACKSON, 9 Nikolaos VERGOS, 10 Denis GENREAU, 11 Clerismario SANTOS RODRIGUES, 14 Matthew GRIMALDI, 15 Sebastian ESPOSITO, 16 Joshua INSERRA, 17 Nishan VELUPILLAY, 19 Jing REEC, 21 Roderick MIRANDA, 23 Keegan JELACIC, 24 Emre SAGLAM, 27 Louis D’ARRIGO, 28 Kayne RAZMOVSKI, 29 Oliver DRAGICEVIC, 64 Juan MATA - *Two to be omitted* - Ins: RAZMOVSKI, DRAGICEVIC - Unavailable: 5 Brendan HAMILL (injured), 7 Reno PISCOPO (injured), 8 Jordi VALADON (international duty), 22 Joshua RAWLINS (international duty)
Perth Glory Squad: GK Matt SUTTON, GK Ryan WARNER, 2 Charbel SHAMOON, 3 Sam SUTTON, 4 Scott WOOTTON, 5 Riley FOXE, 7 Nicholas PENNINGTON, 10 Luke AMOS, 16 Gabriel POPOVIC, 17 Arion SULEMANI, 18 Rhys BOZINOVSKI, 20 Trent OSTLER, 21 Adam BUGARIJA, 22 Adam TAGGART, 24 Andriano LEBIB, 26 Khoa NGO, 27 Will FRENEY, 34 Tom LAWRENCE, 39 Giovanni DE ABREU, 45 Brian KALTAK - *Two to be omitted* - Ins: AMOS, POPOVIC - Unavailable: GK Mark BIRIGHITTI, (Not Selected). GK Cameron COOK, 8 Callum TIMMINS, 9 Jaiden KUCHARSKI, 11 Lachlan WALES, 15 Zach LISOLAJSKI, 25 Sebastian DESPOTOVSKI, 31 Joel ANASMO (All Injured)
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