Reds defeat Glory 2-0 in balanced affair

In what was largely an even contest, Adelaide United put two past a 10-man Perth Glory outfit to secure the three points. A sunny evening at Hindmarsh played host to a healthy mid-week crowd of 10 023.

The talk leading up to this game was on Adelaide's new ownership and injury concerns for both sides. By game day, however, neither side was hindered by injury woes, with Flores starting for Adelaide and Neville for Perth.

The opening shot came from Perth, with Adriano Pellegrino's slow shot wide of the mark. Robbie Fowler looked refreshed after a stint on the bench, starting this game as the creative play-maker Glory desperately need to hold form.

Whilst both teams had chances early on, it was Perth who seemed likely to go on and win the match. However a lack of composure in front of goal let them down on more than one occasion.

A 28th minute yellow to Pellegrino signaled the evening would be a physical encounter - 9 cards were issued, including a second yellow to Naum Sevoulovski for another harsh tackle in the 63rd. The resultant set-piece, taken from just outside the box, found the head of Iain Fyfe. 1-0 Adelaide.

Although Perth continued to fight after they were reduced to 10 men, with several opportunities to level, Adelaide slowly began to dominate play, and another goal was a certainty.

Travis Dodd came on at half-time, replacing Joe Keenan. His impact was felt later in the half, when he had two chances make it two-nil. The first was a powerful attempt that went just over the crossbar, while the second should have been taken.

After rounding the keeper, Dodd attempted to ease the ball into the goal, but his inside of the foot shot went just wide.

Finally, Van Djik made it two, clinically heading home for Adelaide after a Iain Ramsay cross. Ramsay replaced Marcos Flores in the 75th minute, and this substitution combined with a tiring Perth Glory lead to the goal.

Van Djik now has 6 goals this season, and is leading goal-scorer of the competition. Perth will take some positives from the game, as they linked together well and created several opportunities for themselves. Their finishing, however, continues to let them down, and without it they will continue their losing run.