FOUR glorious goals, including a brace by midfielder Nebo Marinkovic, have helped Perth Glory FC secure a quarter finals berth in the Westfield FFA Cup, after disposing St Albans Saints 4-1 at Knights Stadium in Melbourne.
The Western Australians will now face Hyundai A-league rivals Melbourne Victory at home, at a date yet to be confirmed.
After a cagey start to the round of 16 clash, Marinkovic gave Perth Glory FC the lead, with a stunning free kick from the edge of the St Albans box, late in the first half.
Perth Glory advanced its lead through Melbourne born striker Jamie Maclaren in the 62nd minute with a delightful first touch lob, seconds after he was brought onto the pitch as a substitute for Youssouf Hersi.
The Saints however reduced the deficit six minutes later through a penalty, when Glory defender Dino Djulbic was ruled to have handled the ball in the box.
That goal lifted the Saints’ spirits but Irish sharpshooter Andy Keogh spearheaded Perth Glory FC further in front four minutes later with the easiest of tap-ins after receiving a cross from the hardworking Richard Garcia on the left flank.
By then Perth Glory were in complete control and for the final 15 minutes dictated play before Marinkovic popped up with another dash of brilliance, sending the ball into the back of the net with a divine chip over Saints keeper Stuart Webster.
Coach Kenny Lowe praised Marinkovic’s superb strikes but was quick to add, it was an overall team effort.
“It was a good performance by us, the first 15 minutes were genuine and honest and they made us work…but hopefully we’ll improve the way we play and we’ll try to move the ball better and have a successful year.”
Lowe was also relieved that the next Westfield FFA Cup fixture against Victory, will be played at home.
“I’m rapt; we’ve travelled enough, so it’s good to be playing in front of our home town fans.”
The date for the quarter final match is expected to be finalised in the coming days.
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MATCH REPORT
St Albans Saints 1 (McGuffie 68’)
Perth Glory 4 (Marinkovic 37’, 94’, Maclaren 62’, Keogh 72’)
St Albans Saints: GK Stuart WEBSTER, 2 Ryan MCGUFFIE (c), 4 Barry DEVLIN, 5 Felix ROSMAN, 8 Ross HARVEY, 9 Sean MCILROY, 13 Nick CULLEN, 14 Chris ROSS, 15 Konrad DOBRASZKIEWICZ, 17 Adam NAKIC, 18 Tedros YABIO
Subs not used: RGK Tonio BARESIC, 3 Gorgi NICESKI, 16 Ajak PANEK, 19 Ante KOZUL
Yellow Cards: Ross 57’
Perth Glory FC: GK Danny VUKOVIC, 5 Rostyn GRIFFITHS (8 Ruben ZADKOVICH 67’), 6 Dino DJULBIC, 7 Youssouf HERSI (15 Jamie MACLAREN 61’), 9 Andy KEOGH, 10 Nebojsa MARINKOVIC, 11 Richard GARCIA, 17 Mitch NICHOLS, 19 Josh RISDON, 21 Scott JAMIESON, 23 Michael THWAITE (c)
Subs not used: RGK Jack DUNCAN, 13 Diogo FERREIRA
Yellow Cards: Nil
