Wanderers down Glory to consolidate second

The Western Sydney Wanderers certainly deserved their convincing victory over Perth Glory as they ran out 3-1 winners on Sunday night.

With this Australia Day victory, the Wanderers are able to consolidate second place on the ladder and maintain pace with Brisbane Roar at the top of the table.

The win was crucial for the home side especially since both Brisbane Roar and Central Coast Mariners had victories at home this weekend.

The home side were all over the Glory with a plethora of chances especially in the first half.

The first chance to the Wanderers came after a corner created havoc in the box and ended with Mark Bridge having his shot cleared off the line by Riley Woodcock.

A dangerous header by Michael Beauchamp was blocked by Vukovic in the 11th minute and a few minutes later it was Mooy who saw his header just miss the intended target.

Youssuf Hersi with a volley was next in line to see his shot meet the Vukovic wall but the Wanderers finally managed the breakthrough in the 27th minute.

Matthew Spiranovic did the hard work down the flank before finding Bridge who then managed to turn the ball to Brendon Santalab and he simply doesn’t miss those sort of chances.

The second goal was somewhat lucky when Aaron Mooy’s free kick from distance was deflected in off Joshua Risdon standing in the defensive wall, but it was no more than the Wanderers thoroughly deserved as the Wanderers took a 2-0 advantage into the half.

Just when Perth Glory seemed down and out, they scored totally against the run of play in the 54th minute.

Chris Harold did the hard work before firing in a cross for the indefatigable Shane Smeltz who scored. The Glory were back and Wanderers coach Tony Popovic must have had his heart beating a little faster at the thought of an unlikely equaliser.

However, Popovic and all Wanderers fans must have breathed a sigh of relief in the 70th minute when Bridge converted a penalty.

Shannon Cole went down in the challenge by Woodcock and referee Strebre Delovski awarded the spot kick from which Bridge converted and restored the two-goal advantage.

The Wanderers will travel to Newcastle in an attempt to keep the pressure on the third-placed Mariners while the Glory will hope to take advantage of the Melbourne Victory's poor form at home.




WESTERN SYDNEY: Covic, Topor-Stanley, Beauchamp, Spiranovic, Heffernan (89’ Alessi), Cole, Ono, Bridge, Hersi (82’ Minniecon), Mooy, Santalab (76’ Haliti).


PERTH GLORY: Vukovic, Woodcock, Gallas (79’ Clisby), Thwaite, Risdon, Burns, Harold, McGarry, Sidnei (68’ McLaren), C.Edwards (58’ Marinkovic), Smeltz.