Perth Glory FC has gone down 2-1 in a close and dramatic encounter against Hyundai A-League leaders Western Sydney Wanderers in Parramatta.
Glory travelled to Pirtek Stadium on the back of an unbeaten six-game streak to face the Wanderers and dominated most chances created.
Perth should have been leading by half-time but some tardy finishing in front of goal cost the Western Australians the full-points.
Substitute Romeo Castelen opened the scoring for the home side with a venomous shot which crashed into the post and into the back of the net.
Glory hit back 10 seconds later, as winger Chris Harold got the better of Topor-Stanley who brought the speedy Perth player down in the box.
Striker Andy Keogh stepped up and in a cool, calm fashion slotted the ball home to level the match.
With five minutes to go substitute Brenton Santalab stole the points for the home team with a contentious sealer.
Santalab hit the ball with a high boot which struck defender Marc Warren’s shoulder. The ball rocketed in the air and viciously spun under the cross bar, leaving Glory Keeper Ante Covic scrambling.
Glory stays in seventh spot, only one point from the top six and with a five point buffer from eighth placed Newcastle Jets.
Perth will face the Jets in the next match at nib Stadium on the March 7, Labour Day long weekend.
KEY MOMENTS
1’ Marinkovic pounces on a loose ball and shoots from long range
17’ Harold makes a good goal bound run but struggles to control a good lob from transition to attack
20’ Yellow card for Sotirio over a tough challenge on Risdon
22’- Harold has a chance for a shot on goal after making a great penetrating run but takes too long to control. Best chance of the match
26- Grant blocks a shot on goal from Neville
33’ Keogh shots on goal through a bunch of bodies in the box but it doesn’t trouble Reddy
35’ Keogh catches Reddy off his line and attempts to lob the ball which falls just wide of an empty goalmouth.
41’ Marinkovic is fouled in the front third. Free-kick.
42’ Harold headers on the back of a free-kick but no danger to Reddy
45+1 Castro blocked off from Jamieson
SECOND HALF
49’ Marinkovic controls a difficult pass into the box and manages to beat Neville but blasts wide of an open goal with his left boot.
50’ Harold with a header off a Castro cross but it’s no danger for Reddy
53’ Nichols rushes in on the back of a flick-on from Bridge but puts the ball wide of the post
57’ Keogh spoons the ball over the bar off a Marinkovic free kick
62’ Harold headers on target from another corner
62’ Castelen receives the ball in space and shoots on goal which crashes off the post and into the net
63’ Penalty against Topor- Stanley who brings down Harold. Keogh steps up to convert the spot-kick
68’ Harold with another free header off a great Castro cross but misses the target
Santalab takes the lead in the 85th minute with a contentious high boot which strikes Warren’s shoulder.
90+4- Wanderers take full points
WHAT THEY SAID:
Kenny Lowe:
“They’re a great side we had the better chances but I’m really disappointed with the goal at the end.”
TEAMS:
Western Sydney Wanderers: Reddy (gk), Neville, Alberto, Topor-Stanley (c), Jamieson, Andreu, Dimas, Vidosic (Castelen 13’), Nichols, Sotirio (Santalab 63’), Bridge
Perth Glory: Covic (gk), Risdon (c), Lowry, Grant, Warren, Vadocz (Oxborrow 85’), Sandor (Petratos 89’), Marinkovic, Castro, Harold (Garcia 74’), Keogh
Scorers: Castelen 62’, Keogh 64’, Santalab 85’
Red cards: Nil
Yellow cards: Sotirio 20’ Warren 69’, Nichols 82’, Alberto 90+1’, Oxborrow 90+2’, Santalab 90+3’
Conditions: 24C, Cloudy
Attendance: 12,639 @ Pirtek Stadium
