Craig Goodwin has ensured that not even going down to 10 men could stop Adelaide United from beating Perth Glory 1-0 in a scrappy affair at HBF Park.
Goodwin’s 10th minute daisy cutter was enough to separate the two sides, with the Reds talisman set up by Yaya Dukuly on the left hand side before cutting deep inside and lasering a shot into the bottom corner from all of 30 yards.
The Reds absorbed Perth’s attempts to equalise for the rest of the evening, although their job was made much harder in the 81st minute when Panashe Madanha — who had been on the park less than 10 minutes — was sent off for a high boot on Charbel Shamoon.
Goodwin had earlier been involved in a moment of drama just before half time when Glory custodian Matt Sutton had redeemed himself for giving away a penalty by saving the Reds number 10’s effort with his feet.
Perth had bulk of the chances across the game, with Tom Lawrence a consistent threat and Brian Kaltak missing a gilt-edged chance to equalise in the 87th minute.
It is the second week in a row that Kaltak could have rescued a point for Victory with a little more class in front of goal.
Adelaide stood up to Perth’s efforts to claim a much needed away win; their first points taken in any match on the road this season.
The only sour note for the Reds was an apparent knee injury to pacy right back Dylan Pierias following a hefty challenge from Glory debutant Giovanni De Abreu in the 60th minute.
The game had a lengthy stoppage to bring a stretcher on for the the stricken Pierias, who was subsequently replaced by 18-year-old debutant Vinko Stanisic.
Adelaide next host Western Sydney Wanderers next Saturday night at Coopers Stadium, while Perth Glory will need to pick themselves up for a Sunday night trip to Melbourne City.
ALEX TOBIN MEDAL VOTES:
3. Yaya Dukuly
2. Craig Goodwin
1. Joshua Smiths
