A deflected volley from Chris Harold and Joel Chianese’s first goal for the club sealed a comfortable win for Glory propelling them into third on the Hyundai A-League ladder.
Perth was extremely unlucky not to have hit the scoresheet in the opening 15 minutes, with some desperate defending on the goal line preventing Adam Taggart from notching his 11th of the season.
Kenny Lowe’s men enjoyed the greater chances in the opening stanza and despite Brandon Wilson being forced off the field with an injury, the side was finally rewarded on the stroke of half-time courtesy of a Chris Harold goal. The winger’s volley from Diego Castro’s corner saw a defender’s deflection guide it just beyond Vedran Janjetovic’s grasp.
The second half saw minimal chances for both sides, with Liam Reddy enjoying a very quiet evening between the sticks. Glory’s midfield and defence stood firm under a tired Western Sydney outfit, with substitute Aryn Williams and his older brother Rhys superb throughout.
Some typical Castro composure and brilliance saw Glory double their lead in stoppage time, with his perfect cutback into the box finding Chianese, who duly slotted home to seal a well-deserved win.
Key Moments:
First Half:
10′ Castro’s quick feet allows the midfielder to find space and eventually tee up Taggart inside the six-yard box, but his strike is somehow blocked on the line and cleared.
12′ Dimas’s sweetly hit free-kick strikes the upright.
16′ Griffiths strike following Castro’s corner is blocked close to the line again.
40′ Rhys Williams one-two opens up space for the number 5, with his cutback finding Taggart, but the striker’s shot is well saved by Janjetovic.
45’+ GOAL | Castro’s pin-point cross finds Harold, with his volley from outside the box deflecting past Janjetovic to open the scoring.Â
Second Half:
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53′ Some tidy link-up play from Castro and Harold leads to the latter delivering a cutback across the box, but the Wanderers manage to block away for a corner.
90+’ GOAL | Castro’s fantastic footwork and composure allows the Spaniard to deliver a killer cutback to Chianese who slots home.
SQUADS:
Perth Glory Squad: 33. Liam REDDY (GK), 5. Rhys WILLIAMS, 6. Dino Djulbic, 8. Rostyn Griffiths (C), 9. Andy KEOGH, 14. Chris HAROLD (7. Joel CHIANESE, 82′), 15. Brandon WILSON (20. Aryn WILLIAMS 30′), 16. Joseph MILLS, 17. Diego CASTRO, 19. Josh RISDON, 22. Adam TAGGART
Subs not used: 13. Nick FEELY (GK) 4. Shane LOWRY, 7. Joel CHIANESE, 28. Joseph KNOWLES
Yellow Cards: 8. Rostyn Griffiths 77′,Â
Western Sydney Wanderers Squad: 20. Vedran JANJETOVIC (GK), 2. Shannon COLE, 6. Mitch NICHOLS (29. Ryan GRIFFITHS 81′), 11. Brendon SANTALAB, 12. Scott NEVILLE, 13. Bruno PINATARES (8. DIMAS 58′), 14. Jumpei KUSUKAMI, 16. Jaushua SOTIRIO (28. Stefan ZINNI 73′), 18. Robert CORNTHWAITE, 22. Jonathan ASPROPOTAMITIS, 24. Terry ANTONIS
Subs not used:Â 1. Jerrad TYSON (GK), 5. Brendan HAMILL, 29. Ryan GRIFFITHS
Yellow Cards: 11. Brendon Santalab 36′, 13. Bruno PINATARES 45′, 16. Jaushua SOTIRIO 63′
#GloryIsOurs
