It’s time to settle the score! Go for Glory this Sunday at nib Stadium
Sunday 12th December 5:00pm
It-s time to settle the score! Go for Glory this Sunday at nib Stadium, as Perth look to get their own back on Mariners.
If there was a discernable low point in Perth Glory-s seven-game losing streak, it came in that seventh match. At Sydney Football Stadium, Glory simply didn-t turn up against Central Coast Mariners as, after a fairly uninspiring first-half which saw them fall 1-0 behind, the team raised the white flag in a second period and conceded four more without reply.
It was a dark day in Glory-s history. Since then though, things have – comparatively – improved for Ian Ferguson and his troops. Of the seven games that have followed that miserable night in Sydney, they have at least picked up a couple of draws and a win, and also shown admirable spirit in the narrow defeat to league leaders Brisbane.
Talking of spirit, their last game showed they have it in bucketloads, clinging on for a 1-1 draw with North Queensland Fury – indeed almost holding on for the win – despite being down to nine men.
If they can give their all once again, in front of their own fans at nib Stadium, then there is every chance they will make it two games without defeat for the first time since their unbeaten start to the season came to an abrupt end back in early September.
Having had a week off last weekend, the players will be refreshed and ready to take on Mariners, and The Shed will be equally up for it, having not seen their side in action at home since mid-November.
And how they would love for a similar result to the one the men in purple managed last time they turned out in front of them at nib Stadium. Then, a thrilling Robbie Fowler hat-trick against Melbourne Victory sent fans absolutely wild and gave Glory their only win in the last 14 games.
Who knows which Central Coast Mariners team will turn up in Perth? The home fans will be hoping it is the one that was walloped 5-1 by Brisbane a couple of weeks ago. The Yellow Army, however, will be looking for a reprisal of the 4-0 thrashing they dished out to Sydney last week, or, of course, a similar performance to the one that humiliated this weekend-s adversaries back in October.
While Mariners are at the right end of the ladder and have played some delicious football in the Hyundai A-League 2010/11 season, they are still quite the Jekyll and Hyde young side.
Big wins have been punctuated by disappointing home defeats and draws, yet their away form of late has been consistently good. They are unbeaten in their last four matches on the road; a run that included a fantastic 3-0 win in Wellington.
Can Perth get their revenge for that awful evening in New South Wales in October, or will Mariners- fine away run continue? As both sides aim to keep their respective dreams alive – Mariners to cement their top six place, Glory to turn things around and try to force their way back into contention – this one is sure to be a full-blooded and passionate affair.
Shed, your side was humiliated by Mariners last time round, so get along to nib Stadium and cheer your heroes on as they look to set things straight. Make some noise!
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