Perth Glory continued their recent impressive form in the Foxtel Y-League with a 1-0 win over Brisbane Roar at Lanham Park on Friday.
Roared on by the Glory Shed supporters who were in town for their ‘Tour of Duty’, substitute Ollie Annis scored the winner nine minutes from time.
It was a dominant display by John Gibson’s side and the scoreline would have reflected that more accurately had Chok Dau not seen his first-half penalty saved by Macklin Freke.
Gibson was understandably delighted with the win which means that his charges have now picked up seven points from their last three games.
“It was another dominant and mature performance,” he said.
“I’m incredibly pleased for the group who continue to challenge and push themselves individually and collectively, so it’s great to see them finally being rewarded for their efforts.
“We created many chances and didn’t capitalise, as well as missing a penalty, but the group stuck to the process and deservedly got the ‘W’. It’s fantastic for them to win away from home, plus keep a clean sheet which was our first for the season.
“We now stay calm, briefly enjoy the moment, hop on a flight back to Perth, emphasise recovery and then start our focus on Melbourne Victory away next week.
“Also, we would like to thank our wonderful Perth Glory travelling supporters who made the effort to watch and support us today. The group were absolute buzzing.”
Glory brought in Nick Feely between the sticks and also handed a start to the returning Marc Warren, while Roar were bolstered by the inclusion of former Socceroo Jade North.
It was Glory who opened the brighter and Warren saw his long-range shot flash wide of the target after only five minutes.
The visitors continued to dominate, but couldn’t turn their chances into goals, with Dau seeing his goalbound effort blocked on 18 minutes.
The home side went close themselves on the half-hour when Dane Ingham cut into the penalty area, but Feely had his angles right and the Roar forward could only find the side-netting.
Glory then had the perfect opportunity to take the lead just before half time as Ingham brought down Dau and referee Albert Krause pointed to the spot.
Dau picked himself up to take the resulting penalty, but Macklin Freke guessed the right way to pull off a good save.
Freke was at it again after the break, the Roar custodian producing a great save to deny Yagoub Mustafa after he was sent clear.
With Glory very much in the ascendancy, Annis’ free kick crashed off the crossbar on the hour-mark and moments later, Mustafa was denied again. This time he rounded Freke, but Daniel Cuttler got back to prevent his effort from finding the empty net.
Glory’s pressure was finally rewarded nine minutes from time, however, when Daniel Stynes won possession in the middle of the park and found Michael Domfeh who in turn sent Annis in on goal and his low shot was too good for Freke.
The home side pressed late and went close five minutes from time as Bryce Bafford’s corner was met by Kai Trewin, but his header was straight at Feely.
Glory are back in action next Sunday, when they travel to Epping Stadium to take on Melbourne Victory (7.30am WA Time)
Brisbane Roar 0 v Perth Glory 1 (Annis 81’)
Friday January 19, 2018
Lanham Park, Grange
Referee: Albert Krause
Brisbane Roar: GK Macklin FREKE, 2 Dane INGHAM, 3 Kai TREWIN, 6 Adam SAWYER, 9 Mirza MURATOVIC, 10 Bryce BAFFORD, 16 Daniel DIVER (C), 18 Rahmat AKBARI (14 Oliver DUNCAN 53’), 19 Woosig YOON, 21 Daniel CUTTLER (11 Lleyton BROOKS 70’), 23 Jade NORTH (15 Emlyn WELISMORE 46’)
Substitutes not used: RGK Jordan GRIFFITHS
Yellow cards: None
Red cards: None
Perth Glory: GK Nick Feely, 2 Luke BODNAR, 3 Hayden STEVENS (C), 4 Riley WARLAND, 5 Marc WARREN (12 Ollie ANNIS 46’), 6 Callum TIMMINS (13 Daniel STYNES 62’), 7 Jack LEECH, 8 Walter SCOTT, 9 Chok DAU, 10 Michael MCDOUGALL (14 Michael DOMFEH 78’), 11 Yagoub MUSTAFA
Substitutes not used: RGK Jackson LEE
Yellow cards: None
Red cards: None
