Perth Glory snapped a nine-game winless streak after Josh Risdon scored one of the goals of the season to down Western Sydney 3-2 at nib Stadium on Saturday night.
Risdon scored the winner in the 87th minute after Glory fell behind in the first half, only to take the lead midway through the second thanks to goals from Sidnei Sciola and Rostyn Griffiths.
Wanderers striker Kerem Bulut looked to have consigned Glory to yet another winless result when he capitalised on a defensive mistake from Chris Harold in the 72nd minute before Risdon stepped up with a wonderstrike from 23 yards.
What they said
“Definitely one of the best goals I’ve ever scored. I was taking the ball forward and going a bit too quick and my options were running out so I just thought last option was to shoot. Luckily I hit it pretty well!” – Perth Glory defender Joshua Risdon
Goals
0-1 Romeo Castelen (13’) The Dutchman found himself on the end of a perfectly weighted aerial pass from teammate Iacopo La Rocca and only had Glory goalkeeper Danny Vukovic to beat before slotting home his second goal in as many games.
1-1 Sidnei Sciola (55’) The Brazilian winger was in the right place at the right time when Yusuke Tanaka’s mistimed clearance deflected into the path of Richard Garcia, who headed the ball across goal to where Sidnei was waiting at the far post.
2-1 Rostyn Griffiths (68’) Less than a minute after Chris Harold hit the post, Glory took the lead when Griffiths charged into the box and headed a Scott Jamieson cross into the back of the net.
2-2 Kerem Bulut (72’) Harold was left devastated when his pass across goal was intercepted by La Rocca and knocked into the path of Bulut, who effortlessly nudged the ball past Vukovic to score his fifth A-League goal from as many starts.
3-2 Josh Risdon (87’) The right back surged past Wanderers substitute Steve Kuzmanovski before firing a wonderstrike from 23 yards into the top right corner, sparking wild celebrations from Glory players and fans as the club ended a nine-match winless rut.
Key moment
Kerem Bulut has been a revelation for Western Sydney over the past month, but his miss in the 57th minute – just two minutes after Sidnei Sciola’s equaliser – may have saved Glory’s season. Bulut ran around goalkeeper Danny Vukovic and seemed certain to put the visitors ahead, but his right foot strike hit the right post before the ball found its way back into Vukovic’s grasp.
Opta Data Stats
Perth Glory has conceded at least two goals in every match they have played in 2015, apart from the club’s only other win this calendar year against Melbourne Victory in Geelong on January 2.
Back to the drawing board
Glory coach Kenny Lowe made four changes to his starting line-up in a bid to snap his side’s nine-match winless run. Two of those changes were to employ speed wingers Chris Harold and Sidnei Sciola alongside star striker Andy Keogh, but neither player was able to combine successfully with the Irish scoring machine. Keogh, who has scored 10 goals this season, remains the key to Glory’s championship credentials.
The Final Word
Lowe will be a relieved man to have finally collected maximum points from a contest after almost three months since his side last tasted victory. The much-needed win lifts Glory into third spot, although the men in purple may slip back down to fourth tomorrow if Sydney FC beats league leaders Wellington Phoenix on Sunday. Regardless, Lowe will be urging his side to continue their newly rediscovered winning ways against the lowly Newcastle Jets at Hunter Stadium on Easter Monday.
