Perth Glory has continued their disappointing form against Western Sydney Wanderers after a 3-0 loss in the round 23, Hyundai A-League clash at Parramatta Stadium this afternoon.
Perth Glory has continued their disappointing form against Western Sydney Wanderers after a 3-0 loss in the round 23, Hyundai A-League clash at Parramatta Stadium this afternoon.
Jerome Polenz gave the hosts the lead before the break, and second half goals to Mark Bridge and Tomi Juric, secured second spot on the table for Tony Popovic-s side, while the Glory continue their 10 game run without a win.
Kenny Lowe made one change to his side that lost to Melbourne Victory last week, with Sidnei Sciola Moraes missing due to injury; his place in the starting line-up went to Ryan Edwards.
The Wanderers made two changes to the side that drew 0-0 with Adelaide United last week with Matthew Spiranovic and Iacopo La Rocca replacing Michael Beauchamp and Adam D-Apuzzo.
It was the Glory who had the first opportunity, when Shannon Cole brought down Jamie Maclaren on the edge of the penalty area. Nebojsa Marinkovic-s resulting free kick curled around the wall and flashed inches past the near post with keeper Ante Covic well beaten.
The Wanderers hit back and Youssouf Hersi saw his header tipped over the bar by the alert Jack Duncan, before Polenz-s long-range shot flew over the top from the edge of the penalty area.
The young Glory custodian came to his sides rescue again on the half hour, Hersi raced clear from Aaron Mooy-s through ball, but the keeper stood tall and saved his shot, and reacted well to block Hersi-s follow up shot.
Despite being on the back foot the Glory responded and went close themselves on 37 minutes. Edwards run and shot flashed just wide of the target, before Chris Harold headed wide from Matthew Davies deep cross.
But three minutes before the break the Wanderers hit the front. Polenz was found on the right, he cut inside and his first shot was blocked by Jack Clisby on the edge of the penalty area, but the German midfielder reacted well and finished the rebound low past Duncan.
After the break the Glory looked lively, and Maclaren headed over Marinkovic-s corner six minutes in, before Maclaren shot on the turn moments later was saved low by Covic.
The Wanderers still looked dangerous on the break and on 61 minutes they doubled their lead. The Glory had pushed men forward looking for the equaliser, and were caught out with a quick counter attack.
Bridge found space down the left, cut inside Davies, and curled a superb strike into the far corner of the net, giving Duncan no chance.
It was a bitter blow for the Glory and it almost got worse with Duncan having to make a smart save to deny Bridge his second on 67 minutes, and the young keeper had to be alert again moments later saving well to deny the lively Hersi.
The Glory continued to press and Covic had to be alert to save Maclaren-s low shot, after the young Socceroos striker was sent clear by Burns, but on 78 minutes, the Wanderers added a third.
Japanese midfielder Shinji Ono fed Hersi, he cut the ball back to Juric, who fired into the top corner of the net from 10-yards.
At the final whistle it was the home fans celebrating and the Glory must now regroup for next week-s home game against Newcastle Jets at nib Stadium next Sunday 4pm.
Hyundai A-League – Round 24
Sunday 23rd March 2014
Venue – Parramatta Stadium
Western Sydney Wanderers 3 (Polenz 42-, Bridge 61-, Juric 78-)
Perth Glory 0
Referee – Tim McGilchrist
Crowd – 12,128
Western Sydney Wanderers – GK Ante COVIC, 2 Shannon COLE, 4 Nikolai TOPER-STANLEY,13 Matthew SPIRANOVIC (21 Shinji ONO 64-), 6 Jerome POLENZ, 8 Mateo POLJAK, 18 Iacopo LA ROCCA, 10 Aaron MOOY, 19 Mark BRIDGE, 17 Youssouf HERSI, 11 Brendon SANTALAB (9 Tom JURIC 72-)
Subs not used – RGK Jerrad TYSON, 14 Kwabena APPIAH, 22 Dean HEFFERNAN
Yellow Cards – Polenz 55-
Perth Glory – GK Jack DUNCAN, 2 Jack CLISBY (19 Josh RISDON 72-), 4 Ryan EDWARDS, 5 Rostyn GRIFFITHS, 7 Jacob BURNS, 8 Nebojsa MARINKOVIC (14 Steven MCGARRY 62-), 10 Jamie MACLAREN, 17 Chris HAROLD (28 Darvydas SERNAS 62-), 23 Michael THWAITE, 24 Matthew DAVIES, 36 William GALLAS
Subs not used – RGK Luke RADONICH, 3 Brandon O-NEILL
Yellow Cards- Davies 25-, Edwards 44-
