Two goals from Aydan Hammond have fired Western Sydney up into fourth on the Isuzu UTE A-League ladder after the Wanderers thrashed Perth Glory 4-1 at CommBank Stadium.
Perth could have been a goal down after less than two minutes but instead snatched the lead themselves in the fifth minute; striker Adam Taggart steering home Lachie Wales’ cross to make it 1-0 on Sunday.
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Western Sydney levelled things up in the 14th minute as winger Hammond took aim from distance, lashing the ball high into the roof of the net from the edge of the area.
Hammond then had his second of the afternoon in the 39th minute, tapping home from close range after Bozhidar Kraev’s initial effort from close range bounced back off the woodwork.
Perth were their own worst enemies early in the second-half as a poor pass from keeper Oli Sail was intercepted by the Wanderers enabling Oscar Priestman to convert from inside the box before they then added their fourth; Kraev finishing off a clinical move to make it 4-1.
The result sees Alen Stajcic’s side move up into fourth on the ladder and now just a point behind second-placed Western United.
As for Perth, David Zdrilic’s team remain second-last after suffering their 13th loss of the campaign.
Looking to make it three-straight wins, the Wanderers had the chance to take an early lead with less than two minutes on the clock.
Beating his man down the right, Brandon Borrello side-stepped another challenge inside the box before squaring it for Zac Sapsford, however the striker’s effort was a weak one and Josh Risdon was able to clear off the line.
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However, after surviving a scare at one end, Perth soon broke the deadlock and it came from the boot of their prolific centre forward.
Timing his run to perfection down the left, Wales hit the byline before dinking the ball back and into the path of the onrushing Taggart who’s first time volley bounced through the legs of Thomas and into the net.
The Wanderers weren’t behind for long though as Hammond produced a moment of magic to level things up at CommBank Stadium.
Collecting the ball on the edge of the Perth box after a corner, Hammond shifted to his right and unleashed a ferocious strike that flew beyond Glory keeper Sail and into the roof of the net.
Hunting his first goal in Glory colours, on-loan Sydney FC striker Patrick Wood firing an effort towards goal from the edge of the box which required a good save from Wanderers keeper Thomas.
The Wanderers were the side asking more questions of their opponents though and duly took the lead in the 39th minute.
Released down the right, Sapsford played a sumptuous pass across the face of goal to the arriving Kraev and while the Bulgarian’s effort slammed back off the post it fell kindly to Hammond who tapped home to make it 2-1.
The visitors almost levelled things up with the final action of the first-half but Risdon’s header from a well-worked corner was palmed away by Thomas to ensure the Wanderers held a 2-1 lead at the break.
Starting the second-half with added purpose, Glory left-back Yuto Misao hit the woodwork twice within the space of 90 seconds; the first cannoning back off the left upright from a powerful drive before he then hit the same post in an identical move.
However while Perth’s start to the second stanza appeared to be a bright one, they soon shot themselves in the foot.
Intercepting a risky pass from Sail on the edge of the Glory area, Josh Brillante robbed Amos of the ball and found Priestman who, now one-on-one with the keeper, coolly slotted the ball beyond Sail to make it 3-1.
Western Sydney almost made it 4-1 soon after as Hammond preyed on the confidence-sapped Glory backline however the winger couldn’t turn the loose ball home, enabling Mrcela to clear off the line.
The home side would soon add their fourth though and it came from the boot of the impressive Kraev.
Striding down the right, the lively Sapsford lifted his head and brilliantly picked out an unmarked Kraev inside the box and the Bulgarian did the rest, curling the ball into the bottom corner to make it 4-1.
January signing Alex Gersbach came close to bagging his first goal in Western Sydney colours however the left back’s dipping half-volley bounced off the top of the crossbar in stoppage time.
