Last Minute Heartbreak for Glory v Mariners

Perth Glory were less than 1 minute away from a well deserved victory at home against the Central Coast Mariners today before substitute Sasho Petrovski scored a last gasp equaliser to give the Mariners a share of the points in a thrilling 2-2 draw.

Jamie Harnwell was back at the heart of the defence for the Glory with Nikolai Topor-Stanley whilst Eugene Dadi was upfront with Nikita Rukavytsya.

Central Coast Mariners needed a win to get back into the top four after the Phoenix’s surprise win against the Victory last night whilst Glory were looking to get the three points to keep in touch with the mid table clubs.

The Glory started the game much the better of the two sides, however, despite lots of possession lacked any real penetration in the early exchanges.

Midway through the half Central Coast Mariners started to come back into the game as they exploited the weakness on Perth’s left side with Adrian Trinidad and Dino Djulbic both playing out of position at left midfield and left fullback respectively.

Adrian Caceras had the first chance for the Mariners as he found space around the Perth penalty spot dragging his shot wide of the target. Within a minute Caceras found space in a similar position with his effort this time coming off the upright.

On 27 minutes the Mariners took the lead through a freekick from the edge of the box. Jamie Harnwell had conceded the foul as he handled a ball that bounced above his head.

Mariner’s free kick specialist Mile Jedinak struck the ball around the wall and wide of the Glory keeper Tando Velaphi who will feel that he should have done better.

The Mariners took that lead to the half time break. Perth’s first half performance was average although in defence of the home side they had worked hard without much reward.

Coach David Mitchell’s team talk must have been a screamer as the Glory emerged from the break a much improved side.

It was the Mariners though who were first to threaten after the interval as on 48 minutes they might have extended their lead as a fortuitous deflection off Dylan Macallister looped onto the Glory’s crossbar.

Glory got their just reward for their additional effort on 54 minutes as Adrian Trinidad deflected a Mariners pass into the path of Nikita Rukavytsya. Rukavytsya’s pace was far too much for the square Mariners defence as he went on to place the ball wide of Vukovic in the Mariner’s goal for a 1-1 scoreline.

On 62 minutes Glory went ahead through one of the goals of the season. Crisp interpassing between Rukavytsya, Dadi and Trinidad resulted in Rukavytsya gaining another clear view of goal and, once again, the youngster made no mistake placing the ball wide of Vukovic.

On 68 minutes a superb piece of play from Trinidad wide on the left resulted in a shot that cannoned off the Mariners upright and across the goalmouth and wide.

On 71 minutes Rukavytsya should have completed his hat trick however he was thwarted on the goal line by a brave desperation save from Vukovic.

Mariners defender Nigel Boogaard was shown a straight red card on 89 minutes for a crude tackle from behind leaving the visitors to finish the game with 10 men.

That should have been the end of proceedings with the Glory closing out the game, however, on 92 minutes the Glory were made to pay for their inexperience as Sasha Petrovski who had only come on as a substitute on 81 minutes latched onto a wayward strike from Dylan Macallister to slide the ball wide of Velaphi for an undeserved equaliser.

No doubt Glory are improving week in and week out under Mitchell and will definitely continue to do so as the season progresses, however, hope of a top four spot must now be fading fast.

Long term injury layoffs to experienced campaigners Haydyn Foxe and Amaral have hurt the side a lot this season and that will likely be the reason Glory fail once again to secure an ALeague playoff position come the new year.