The undefeated run at home for Perth Glory FC in season 10 of the Hyundai A-League has continued, with a 2-1 win over the Newcastle Jets, thanks to a brace by super sub Jamie Maclaren.
The 21-year old Glory striker scored his two goals within 120 seconds of each other, and only a minute after coming off the bench.
The first 45 minutes, was one filled with half chances for the Glory, who dominated possession from the outset.
Perth Glory FC looked to make its mark through Mitch Nichols when he unleashed the first shot of the game in the 4th minute but it sailed over Mark Birighitti’s goal.
In the 8th minute, a Jets clearance from a Glory corner fell to Perth’s boy wonder Danny DE SILVA who let loose a venomous shot from beyond the 18 yard box. Birighitti looked to have misjudged the shot as it cannoned into his legs, forcing his defenders to scramble and clear the ball.
Just after the half hour mark, Michael Thwaite latched onto a ball flicked on by Dino Djulbic, and drove it hard toward goal, but the shot went over the bar.
It looked like only a matter of time before Perth scored but the Jets were settling in and keeping Glory at bay.
With the mercury hovering around 30 degrees, both teams struggled to break the deadlock in the second half. That was until Newcastle’s Jeronimo produced a little bit of magic in the 74th minute. After beating the off-side trap to meet a perfect pass, the Argentine whipped in a shot to beat Perth custodian Danny Vukovic at the near post and put the Jets on top.
But the Jets were only flying high for two minutes. Kenny Lowe responded instantly, replacing the lively De Silva with Jamie Maclaren. His impact on the game was immediate when he steered home Scott Jamieson’s pinpoint cross to level the scores in the 76th minute.
Two minutes later, Maclaren confirmed his status as a ‘super-sub’ with a strong headed finish after RostynGriffiths headed back across goal from a Nebojsa Marinkovic corner.
Not content with two goals in four minutes, Maclaren looked set to turn provider for Andy Keogh in the 90th minute, but Birighitti, who had been impressive all day for the visitors, made the save low to his left.
Perth was able to maintain possession in the three added minutes and see off the Jets for 16th time in Hyundai A-League history.
FULL TIME PERTH GLORY 2 NEWCASTLE JETS 1
Perth Glory FC coach Kenny Lowe said he was happy with the performance.
“I thought we dominated the game and dictated the tempo. I know we weren’t exactly Brazil, but I think the biggest danger we had was flick-ons from goal kicks in the first half,” Lowe said.
Lowe was also full of praise for Maclaren, whose five minutes of destruction was enough to sink the Jets.
“I think he’s performed that well all year. ‘Macca’ has come back lighter, he’s worked ever so hard, and he’s a super character. He’s working hard, he’s enjoying his football – I can’t praise him enough.”
The win puts Glory second behind Adelaide United. Perth’s place on the ladder may change pending other results after the completion of round four.
After three games in one week, Perth Glory FC will travel to the east coast to take on the Central Coast Mariners next Sunday.
GOAL SCORERS: JERONIMO (NEW) 74’, Jamie MACLAREN (PER) 77’, 79’
YELLOW CARDS: David CARNEY (NEW) 24’, Jacob PEPPER (NEW) 67’
ATTENDANCE: 8624
SQUADS:
PERTH GLORY FC:
1. Danny VUKOVIC (GK), 2. Jack CLISBY (21. Scott JAMIESON 55’), 5. Rostyn GRIFFITHS, 6. Dino DJULBIC, 7. Youssouf HERSI, 9. Andy KEOGH, 10. Nebosja MARINKOVIC, 13. Diogo Alves FERREIRA, 17. Mitch NICHOLS (11. Richard GARCIA 72’), 20. Daniel DE SILVA (15. Jamie MACLAREN 76’), 23. Michael THWAITE (c)
SUBS NOT USED: 19. Josh RISDON, 30. Jordan THURTELL (GK)
COACH: Kenny LOWE
NEWCASTLE JETS:
1. Mark BIRIGHITTI (GK), 3. Taylor REGAN, 4. Kew Raffique JALIENS (c), 5. Benjamin KANTAROVSKI (8. Zenon CARAVELLA 83’), 7. JERONIMO Neumann (17. James VIRGILI 78’), 9. Joel GRIFFITHS (13. Edson MONTANO 72’), 11. Andrew HOOLE, 12. Sam GALLAGHER, 16. Jacob PEPPER, 18. Allan WELSH, 23. David CARNEY
SUBS NOT USED: 20. Ben KENNEDY (GK), 21. Samuel GALLAWAY
COACH: Phil STUBBINS
MATCH OFFICIALS:
Referee: Ben WILLIAMS
Assistant Referees: Josh MANNELLA & Tim MIHEVC
Fourth Official: David BRUCE