Perth Glory has finished the pre-season undefeated but they left it late to beat the WA State team 3-1 in the Call to Arms Cup.
Perth Glory has finished the pre-season undefeated but they left it late to beat the WA State team 3-1 in the Call to Arms Cup.
With proceeds from the match going to the Cancer Council WA, goals from Reece Vittiglia and Scott Neville made it six wins from six games for the Glory, ahead of next weeks Hyundai A-league season opener against North Queensland Fury.
Mile Sterjovski opening the scoring for Perth just before half-time before Andreas Oliveira equalised for WA on 73 minutes but it was two stunning strikes from Vittiglia and Neville that stole the show.
Vittiglia, a youth team forward showed his class when he ran onto a pass from Josh Risdon to riffle the ball past Phil Straker from 18 yards in the 91st minute.
Not to be outdone, Neville then smashed a third sixty seconds later with a shot that flew into the top corner with power and precision.
Glory coach Dave Mitchell said he was pleased with the result but warned his team still has a lot of things to work on.
“It was a good hit-out.
“For us it-s all about fitness and not the result but obviously it-s always nice to win.
“I-ve trained the team hard over the last few days so I know it started to take its toll,” Mitchell said.
After missing last weeks away trip to Adelaide, star signing Robbie Fowler proved his fitness with an impressive first half.
Glory captain Jacob Burns was rested for the match along with striker Branko Jelic while Mitchell got the chance to rotate his squad, making 7 changes in the second half.
Aleks Vrteski was given the chance to get some game time and started in goals with Tando Velaphi coming on at half time.
With 9 days to go until the first game of the season, all the focus is now on the clash against the Fury at home.
“That-s right so we have to look at our line-up, how we-re going to play and settle a few things,” Mitchell said.
Match details
Perth Glory 3 (Sterjovski 45-, Vittiglia 90+1, Neville 90+2)
WA State team 1 (Oliveira 73-)
Perth Glory line up: Vrteski, Risdon, Sekulovski, Mitchell, J Coyne, Neville, McGarry, Pellegrino, Sterjovski (c), Fowler, Harnwell.
Substitutes used: Velaphi, Baird, Jukic, Howarth, Fondyke, Griffiths, Vittigia.
Referree: Mathew Cheeseman @ E&D Litis Stadium, Mt Hawthorn.
Crowd: 3121
