Perth Glory interim Head Coach Ian Ferguson has promised more changes in the wake of Saturday night’s 5-nil loss to the Central Coast Mariners at the Sydney Football Stadium.
Perth Glory interim Head Coach Ian Ferguson has promised more changes in the wake of Saturday night’s 5-nil loss to the Central Coast Mariners at the Sydney Football Stadium.
Goals to Royston Griffiths, Matt Simon, Adam Kwasnik and Matthew Lewis – and an own goal to Naum Sekulovski – lifted the Mariners into third spot and continued Perth’s form slide.
“Tonight’s performance and goals conceded was unacceptable,” an angry Ferguson declared.
“It was embarrassing at times.
“At times we did look one-paced. The Mariners did look a lot sharper and brighter.
“The time has come for changes. I’ve persevered and stuck by a lot of players and now I need to get some young blood in there.
It was the biggest win in Central Coast’s history – a feat made even more remarkable by the fact Graham Arnold’s men were playing just their third game in 29 days.
“That’s the way I want to play. They played great football,” Arnold said.
Despite a lack of football recently – and being forced to play a home game in Sydney due to ground repairs at Gosford – the Mariners looked the sharper of the two teams.
The first goal came on 37 minutes when Oliver Bozanic drifted a free kick into the box where the Western Australian-reared Griffiths found himself unmarked to head home a simple goal.
The lead was then doubled on the hour.
Daniel McBreen muscled his way into the box and unselfishly glided a pass across goal for Matt Simon to complete the tap in from close range.
Adam Kwasnik made it 3-nil his 20th goal for the Mariners, finishing off some fine lead-up work from Alex Wilkinson and McBreen.
Matthew Lewis’ first Hyundai A-League goal four minutes from time was followed by an own goal at the death.
Perth now have just a few days to regroup before facing the Melbourne Heart on Wednesday night at nib Stadium.
Match Details
Central Coast Mariners: 5 (Griffiths 37- Simon 60-, Kwasnik 78-, Lewis 86-, Sekulovski 90-(OG))
Perth Glory: 0
Central Coast Mariners: 20. Mathew RYAN (gk), 2 Daniel MCBREEN, 3. Joshua ROSE, 4. Pedj BOJIC, (17. Chris DOIG 67-) 6. Patrick ZWAANSWIJK, 8. Rostyn GRIFFITHS, (12. Matthew LEWIS 82-) 11. Oliver BOZANIC, 14. Michael McGLINCHEY, 18. Alex WILKINSON (c), 19. Matt SIMON, 22. Mustafa AMINI (23. Adam KWASNIK 77-).
Subs not Used: 30. Paul HENDERSON (gk).
Yellow Cards: McGlinchey 33-
Red Cards: Nil
Perth Glory: 1. Tando VELAPHI (gk), 3. Jamie COYNE, 4. Andy TODD, 9. Robbie FOWLER, 11. Branko JELIC, (10. Michael BAIRD 67-) 12. Scott NEVILLE, (16. Adriano PELLEGRINO 46-) 14. Steven McGARRY, 17. Todd HOWARTH, 19. Naum SEKULOVSKI, 21. Mile STERJOVSKI, (22. Anthony SKORICH 77-) 25. Ryan PEARSON
Subs not Used: 20. Aleks VRTESKI (gk).
Yellow Cards: Nil
Red Cards: Nil
Referee: Ryan SHEPHEARD
Crowd: 10,746 at Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney.
