ICYMI: Hyundai A-League Round 12 wrap

There was some late drama in the Melbourne Derby, the Jets impressed in the Hunter while the Sydney FC juggernaut rolled on.

Here’s your full wrap of Round 12 in the Hyundai A-League, starting last Thursday night in Brisbane.

GLORY LATE SHOW STUNS ROAR

A gripping ending saw Perth Glory come away from Suncorp Stadium with a 2-1 win last Thursday night as they finished over the top of Brisbane Roar.

It was the deadly duo of imports Diego Castro and Andy Keogh that did all the damage, the pair both scoring and setting each other up for both goals in the space of two minutes.

The three points consolidates Kenny Lowe’s side in the top six heading towards 2018, while for the hosts it’s another late fadeout they’ll need to fix up to have more joy in the second half of the season.

JETS SOAR OVER SORRY WANDERERS

Newcastle Jets showed their true title credentials as they swept aside a poor Western Sydney Wanderers side 4-0 at McDonald Jones Stadium on Friday night.

Underlining how good Ernie Merrick’s side is going, usual scorers Andrew Nabbout and Dimitri Petratos weren’t needed on the scoresheet as the defenders and midfielders stole the show in the Hunter.

To compound the Wanderers’ woes, assistant coach Hayden Foxe resigned in the hours after the defeat to leave the club sitting second from bottom heading towards 2018.

SKY BLUES BRUSH ASIDE PHOENIX

Sydney FC maintained their five-point lead at the top of the Hyundai A-League with a 4-1 demolition of Wellington Phoenix at Westpac Stadium on Saturday.

Brazilian import Bobo was the man-of-the-match for Graham Arnold’s troops, netting a ‘perfect’ hat-trick as well as setting up Adrian Mierzejewski’s goal.

While the Sky Blues are flying, the New Year can’t come soon enough for Phoenix who prop up the rest of the competition after just one win from 11 games.

Bobo

VICTORY TAKE MELBOURNE DERBY BRAGGING RIGHTS

In a gripping, entertaining and absorbing derby, some late drama ensured Victory would take all three points in a 1-0 win at AAMI Park on Saturday night.

Just when it looked like the match would end goalless, Mark Milligan won – and then converted – a 96th-minute penalty to hand Victory fans the perfect Christmas present.

City will be disappointed to have let a result slip at the death and they’ll hope the New Year brings about a change in fortunes when they return to the pitch in Round 13 on January 1 against the Wanderers.

ADELAIDE SHUT OUT MISFIRING MARINERS

Adelaide United shored up their spot inside the top six by fending off Central Coast Mariners in a tight 1-0 win at Coopers Stadium on Boxing Day.

Ryan Kitto opened the scoring in the 14th minute and the Reds never let their concentration slip, holding firm to register a fourth victory in six Hyundai A-League matches.

The Mariners were left to rue a third consecutive blank that has seen them drift four points off the Finals Series places, a concerning slide they will seek to address at home to Wellington on New Year’s Eve.