Adam Taggart’s fifth goal of the season ensured Perth Glory return to the winner’s circle with a come from behind 2-1 win over Wellington Phoenix on a rainy Thursday night.
It was an entertaining end-to-end encounter from start to finish at nib Stadium in front of 9,210 fans, with classy goals and plenty of cards in the ‘Long Distance Derby’ victory for Perth.
Wellington was quick out of the blocks in the Round 14 encounter, as Roy Krishna opened the scoring in just the sixth minute from inside the area.
The New Zealand side sat back after opening the scoring and Glory made them pay on the stroke of half-time with captain Rostyn Griffiths firing an absolute rocket fro 25 yards to level the score and sent the Glory faithful into a frenzy.
Perth picked up where they left off in the second ’45, with Keogh’s cool finish past Glen Moss ruled offside. Then just two minutes later Keogh turned provider with his superb cross met by Taggart who rose above the Wellington defence to put the home side 2-1 up.
Phoenix suffered another setback soon after Glory’s second strike, with referee Shaun Evans sending goalscorer Krishna for an early shower following a late challenge on Shane Lowry.
After an early flurry of chances and action in the second stanza, Glory showed great poise and mental strength to hold on for a comfortable 2-1 win over Wellington.
Kenny Lowe’s troops will look to continue their undefeated run next Sunday against Newcastle Jets at McDonald Jones Stadium.Â
Key Moments:
First Half
6′ Roy Krishna has his one-on-one opportunity quashed, with Liam Reddy quick off his line to save and clear the danger.
8′ Diego Castro’s goal-bound volley from 10 yards is blocked following Chris Harold’s cross from the right-wing.
11′ Krishna opens the scoring from close range, with his shot squeezing under Reddy. Shane Smeltz with the assist.
20′ Adam Parkhouse runs from halfway to the edge of the box and his shot is comfortably saved by Reddy.
23′ Kosta Barbarouses shot on the penalty spot is straight at Reddy, who collects with ease.
23′ Shane Smeltz effort from inside the area forces a smart reaction save from Reddy, with Glory eventually clearing after a scramble.
45′ Barbarouses has another shot saved Reddy, this time from a tight angle inside the box.
45+1′ Skipper Rostyn Griffiths level’s proceedings with an absolute screamer from 25 yards just seconds before half-time.
Second Half:
46′ Griffiths tries to repeat his first half strike again from distance, but his shot is straight into the hands of keeper Glen Moss.
49′ Castro’s defence-splitting through ball for Keogh is cooly finished first-time, but the Irishman is flagged offside.
51′ Keogh was back in the thick of the action, with his pin-point cross met by the rising Adam Taggart who headed home from close range.
66′ A first-time ball from Joseph Mills is met by Shane Lowry whose accurate header is tipped around the post for a corner by Moss.
81′ Reddy is forced into an outstretched save from Rolieny Bonevacia’s effort from distance.
WHAT THEY SAID: Kenny Lowe
“We were the dominant force in the second half. I thought we deserved it in the end. By far.”
SQUADS:
Perth Glory:Â 33. Liam REDDY (GK), 2. Alex GRANT, 4. Shane LOWRY, 8. Rostyn GRIFFITHS (C), 9. Andy KEOGH, 14. Chris HAROLD, 16. Joseph MILLS, 17. Diego CASTRO, 19. Josh RISDON, 22. Adam TAGGART (10. Nebojsa MARINKOVIC), 24. Milan SMILJANIC
Subs not used: Â 13. Nicholas FEELY (GK), 7. Joel CHIANESE, 11. Richard GARCIA, 20. Aryn WILLIAMS
Yellow Cards: Â 17. Diego CASTRO 42′, 9. Any KEOGH, 90+1′
Wellington Phoenix: 1. Glen MOSS (GK), 2. Jacob TRATT, 4. Rolieny BONEVACIA (16. Louis FENTON), 8. Alex RODRIGUEZ, 9. Kosta BARBAROUSES, 12. Adam PARKHOUSE (23. Matthew RIDENTON 65′), 13. Marco ROSSI, 19. Thomas DOYLE, 21. Roy KRISHNA, 22. Andrew DURANTE, 99. Shane SMELTZ (11. Hamish WATSON 61′)
Subs not used : 20. Lewis ITALIANO Â 5. Ryan LOWRY
Yellow Cards:  8. Alex RODRIGUEZ 29′, 9. Kosta BARBAROUSES 43′, 19. Thomas DOYLE 76′
Red Cards: Â 21. Roy KRISHNA 62′
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