Can Perth pick up the points by punishing the out-of-form ladder leaders in a Sunday showdown at nib Stadium?
Can Perth pick up the points by punishing the out-of-form ladder leaders in a Sunday showdown at nib Stadium?
Finals excitement took another step closer to coming to Perth last week as Glory picked up three cracking points on the road.
Ian Ferguson’s men look good for a home elimination final at the season’s end, but there is still plenty of work to be done, so secure your ticket to nib Stadium on Sunday as your team take on another really tough test. A game against the ladder leaders could even be a dress rehearsal for what might come in the finals, so get along to the game and see how your side fairs against the Premiers-elect!
Last week, Glory maintained their finals push – and indeed kept their slim hopes of a top-two place alive – with a win over Adelaide United.
Two first half goals were enough to bring the points home to Western Australia and get their season back on track after suffering the disappointment of defeat to Brisbane the week before.
Having learnt a lesson from that loss, this time it was Glory who were the efficient away team, striding into a two-goal lead and seeing the game out comfortably. Billy Mehmet got the ball rolling early on and then midfielder Jacob Burns smashed home a 20-yard half-volley to wrap up the points in the first-half.
And, with confidence restored, they have the opportunity to do something they have thus far failed to achieve in the Hyundai A-League 2011/12 season: take points from Central Coast Mariners.
This Sunday’s visitors have won both encounters between the sides. In Week Four, it looked as though Glory would continue their perfect start to the campaign when Travis Dodd gave them the lead, but the Mariners fought back for a 2-1 win and then produced an even better display to turn Perth over in their own backyard later in the season.
With Glory down to ten men after Josh Mitchell was shown a red card following a challenge on Oliver Bozanic, the visitors took full advantage and struck three times in15-minutes through Bernie Ibini, Pedj Bojic and Matt Simon. Steve McGarry’s late strike was barely a consolation.
Central Coast Mariners might be stumbling to the finish line rather than sprinting, but last week they showed their dedication and fighting spirit by grabbing a last-gasp equaliser at home to Sydney in a cracking local derby at Bluetongue Stadium.
Troy Hearfield’s late header sent the Yellow Army wild just as it looked as though they were to suffer a deflating home defeat to their New South Wales rivals. Perth though, will look to the fact that the Mariners have only won one in six, and not at all in their last three games. They might just be there for the taking.
Can Glory pour more misery on the ladder leaders and pick up three points that would further boost their chances of a home elimination final? With your help, there is every chance they can. So, come on Shed, make some serious noise!
