Glory Trio Back to Face Phoenix

Perth Glory star trio Mile Sterjovski, Andy Todd and Jamie Harnwell have all been declared fit for Sunday’s marquee match against Wellington Phoenix.

Sterjovski and Harnwell have both made speedy recoveries from injuries picked up in the 1-nil win against Newcastle.

Sterjovski missed last weeks gripping draw against Melbourne Heart with an ankle injury while Harnwell was sidelined with a calf tear.

Harnwell can now add to his games tally of 237 for Perth Glory, as he closes in on Bobby Despotovski’s record of 241.

With two goals in the first two weeks of the season, Sterjovski will be a welcomed addition to Dave Mitchell’s squad with Michael Baird ruled out because of suspension.

After been passed fit last week, Andy Todd has recovered from illness and is line to play for the first time this season.

The star defender who dominated his first year in the Hyundai A-League is ready for action after minor knee surgery disrupted his pre-season.

“It’s a good situation to be in, (having such good) players come back,” Mitchell said on Friday.

“(But) are they probably a hundred percent fit, as in match fitness?”

“Andy Todd’s certainly not, so it’s a situation where you’ve just got to monitor him and again tomorrow we’ll have a look at him again to see if he starts and if not, he might be on the bench.”

Sunday’s match will be the first time the two sides have met since Wellington eliminated the Glory from the finals on penalties last season but Mitchell was quick to play down the hype this match is all about payback.

With Victor Sikora and Baird the only players unavailable, Mitchell has his strongest squad to choose from this season, giving the coach a pleasant head-ache.

“Tomorrow we’ll finally decide what we do. We’ve looked at certain positions, we’ve put certain players in different roles and now we’ll go have some lunch and we’ll talk about the different scenarios that we’ve come up with at training and decide.

“We’re at home so we want to maybe have a go at them,” he said.

Perth Glory v Wellington Phoenix

Sunday, 5 September 2010

nib Stadium, Perth

Local kick-off: 3.00pm (5.00pm AEST)

Referee: Ben Williams

Live and exclusive broadcast on FOX Sports 1, FS1 HD & on Sky Sports 1. Hyundai A-League club broadcast partner is 882 6PR (Perth) and 1035AM The Radio Network (Wellington). To purchase tickets visit www.ticketmaster.com.au

Perth Glory squad: 1. Tando VELAPHI, 2. Josh MITCHELL, 3. Jamie COYNE, 4. Andy TODD, 5. Jamie HARNWELL, 7. Jacob BURNS (C), 9.Robbie FOWLER, 11. Branko JELIC, 12. Scott NEVILLE, 14. Steven McGARRY, 16. Adriano PELLEGRINO, 17. Todd HOWARTH, 19. Naum SEKULOVSKI, 20. Aleks VRTESKI, 21. Mile STERJOVSKI, 22. Anthony SKORICH, 23. Andrija JUKIC, 24. Josh RISDON

*three to be omitted*

In: Andy TODD (returns from injury), Jamie HARNWELL (returns from injury), Mile STERJOVSKI (returns from injury), 23. Andrija JUKIC (promoted)

Out: Michael BAIRD (suspended – 2 weeks)

Unavailable:Victor SIKORA (hip- 4 weeks), Chris COYNE (On loan – 11 weeks)

Wellington Phoenix squad: 1. Mark PASTON (gk), 3. Tony LOCHHEAD, 4. Nick WARD, 6. Tim BROWN, 7. Leo BERTOS, 8. Paul IFILL, 9. Chris GREENACRE, 10. Oscar Roberto CORNEJO, 11. DANIEL, 13. Troy HEARFIELD, 14. Mirjan PAVLOVIC, 17. Vince LIA, 18. Ben SIGMUND, 19. Danny VUKOVIC (gk), 22. Andrew DURANTE (c), 23. Dylan MACALLISTER

*one to be omitted*

In: Nick WARD (new signing)

Out: Manny MUSCAT (international duty – 1 week)

Unavailable: Diego WALSH (knee – 2 weeks), Jade NORTH (overseas – 1 week), Reece CROWTHER (gk, ribs – 6 weeks), Manny MUSCAT (international duty – 1 week)

Head-to-Head: All matches (played 10): Perth Glory wins 3, Wellington Phoenix wins 4 (3 draws)

Perth Glory v Wellington Phoenix – Preview

Perth Glory goes in search of revenge on Sunday when they entertain Wellington Phoenix in round five of The Hyundai A-League at nib Stadium (3pm)

The New Zealand outfit knocked the Glory out of last season’s finals on penalties and after starting well in 2010, David Mitchell’s side will want to continue their good run, and along the way bury the demons from last season.

Glory will look to maintain their unbeaten record this season against a Wellington side looking for some away form. Defender Naum Sekulovski is looking forward to the game. “It’s going to be a tough game, they’ve built well in the off-season. Obviously they’ve got a lot of confidence coming from the World Cup, a lot of their (New Zealand) boys are in that Wellington side,” Sekulovski said.

“We’re going to look forward to a big clash, especially when we’re at home, we’ve got to take the initiative. It’s a hard trip for anyone to make so we’ve just got to make sure we concentrate on what we do well and I’m sure we’ll get up.”

Glory have named one of their most experienced line-ups of the season, recalling Andy Todd, Mile Sterjovski and Jamie Harnwell from injury, while former Perth SC midfielder Andrija Jukic has been added to the squad, that drew 2-2 against Melbourne Heart last week. The only omission is striker Michael Baird, who begins a two game ban for simulation against Heart last week.

Steven McGarry has become a huge factor in the middle of the park with skipper Jacob Burns. The Scottish midfielder has slotted into the Glory side perfectly after his move from Motherwell in the January transfer window. Robbie Fowler opened his account for the Glory with last week’s late penalty and he will want to do the same at home on Sunday

Wellington do not have a good record in Perth, having lost their last three visits, but if they are to be serious contenders this season, their away from has to improve.

They have made just one change this week, with Manny Muscat missing, he was called into the Maltese national squad for an international match this weekend. His place is taken by Wellington’s new signing Nick Ward. The former Glory midfielder has joined from Melbourne Victory, and will relish a first up game against his home town club. The Phoenix defence will be tested this week, and with Muscat, and Jade North both unavailable it will put them under more pressure.

Following last weekend’s disappointing loss to the Brisbane Roar at Suncorp Stadium, Ricki Herbert said he was prepared to shake things up when naming his team for the Perth clash. “No, we haven’t decided yet (on the team),” Herbert said.

“We’re going to wait till Saturday. It’ll be a tough call come the weekend. With Nick Ward coming in we have to decide whether we’ll bring him straight into the starting XI and we’re still contemplating that. We have to get him accustomed to what we’re about and how we want to play, but he’s an intelligent guy with a good background in football and he’ll slot in pretty quickly. There are a few (selection) headaches to go through over the next couple of days.”

Tim Brown is vital if the Phoenix is to cause a surprise; the midfielder has been in great form and has a knack of finding the net, scoring eight goals last season.  Paul Ifill is another the Glory needs to close down; the former Millwall and Crystal Palace striker has been outstanding for Ricki Herbert’s side since his move down under.

Perth Glory squad: 1 Tando VELAPHI, 2 Josh MITCHELL, 3 Jamie COYNE, 4 Andy TODD, 5 Jamie HARNWELL, 7 Jacob BURNS (C), 9 Robbie FOWLER, 11 Branko JELIC, 12 Scott NEVILLE, 14 Steven McGARRY, 16 Adriano PELLEGRINO, 17 Todd HOWARTH, 19 Naum SEKULOVSKI, 20 Aleks VRTESKI, 21 Mile STERJOVSKI, 22 Anthony SKORICH, 23 Andrija JUKIC, 24 Josh RISDON

Wellington Phoenix squad: 1 Mark PASTON (gk), 3 Tony LOCHHEAD, 4 Nick WARD, 6 Tim BROWN, 7 Leo BERTOS, 8 Paul IFILL, 9 Chris GREENACRE, 10 Oscar Roberto CORNEJO, 11 DANIEL, 13 Troy HEARFIELD, 14 Mirjan PAVLOVIC, 17 Vince LIA, 18 Ben SIGMUND, 19 Danny VUKOVIC (gk), 22 Andrew DURANTE (c), 23 Dylan MACALLISTER

Amphlett ready to fire

Perth Glory young midfielder Tommy Amphlett is set and ready to fire, after recovering from injury which has hampered his pre-season.

The 22-year-old burst on the A-League scene last season after a move from APB Premier Division side ECU Joondalup, but was left devastated when he injured himself early in the pre-season. But he’s happy to be back and can’t wait to get back on the pitch. “It was a huge blow for me when I injured my hip. We were doing a circuit and I overstretched myself in one of the exercises and just felt it go. I had two tears and it’s taken time to heal, but everything is all good now and I’ve started full training two weeks ago,” Amphlett said.

It was frustrating for the talented midfielder, not only to miss the pre-season but the Glory’s tour to China. With that behind him now, he’s ready to fight for a spot in the Glory side that have made a great start to the Hyundai A-League season. “It was disappointing to miss the tour, but that’s all part of football.  There is so much competition for places in the side this season, so the injury really came at the wrong time for me. I really wanted to impress in my first full pre season, and everyone was buzzing so I needed to make an impression, but unfortunately it wasn’t to be,” Amphlett explained.

Glory sits on top of the table after four rounds and Amphlett knows the task of breaking into the side is tough, but he’s ready for the challenge. “It’s going to be hard with so much experience and the Gaffer has a lot more depth this season, but I intend to keep plugging away and take my chance when I get it,” Amphlett said.

Amphlett has been watched my scouts from clubs in the UK, but he’s only got one thing on his mind and that’s to be successful at the nib Stadium with the Glory. “I never really knew anything of it to be honest, but that’s nice to know. I just want to play well and the rest will follow. At this stage I am just concentrating on becoming a regular first team player at Glory. I love it here, the all coaching staff are brilliant and all the players get on really well,” Amphlett said.

New recruit Robbie Fowler and assistant Coach Ian Ferguson have come into the club this season, and Amphlett believes the pair have been great on an off the pitch. “Robbie has been brilliant since he’s arrived. He’s played at the highest level and you can see that at training, hopefully I can learn a few tricks of him,” Amphlett said.

“Fergie’s a great bloke too, and has come in and fitted in really well. He’s great with all the young players and like Robbie he has played at the top level. He gives the young players advice, like Mitch, and show’s us were we’re going wrong and he’s a good laugh as well,” Amphlett said.

Heart v Glory Player by Player Review

Fowler Gives Melbourne Heartache

A penalty from Perth Glory striker Robbie Fowler in the 92nd minute has given the side from the West a 2-2 draw in the Hyundai A-League clash against Melbourne Heart at AAMI Park this afternoon.

It was a controversial decision from debutant A-League referee Kurt Ams, when Glory striker Michael Baird fell under a challenge from Kliment Taseski and Fowler denied the Heart’s their first victory in the A-League by sending keeper Clint Bolton the wrong way.

Both sides made two changes to their starting line-up, with the Heart bringing in Brendan Hamill to replacing the injured Michael Beauchamp, and Brazilian striker Alex Terra, to replace Aziz Behich, who dropped to the bench. The Glory lost Jamie Harnwell and Mile Sterjovski through injury, their places going too Josh Mitchell and Branko Jelic.

It was great start for the home side and they had strong penalty claims turned down in second minute, when Simon Colosimo’s long ball sent Terra clear and as he rounded Glory keeper Tando Velaphi he fell and the crowd were up as one for a penalty but referee Ams waved away their protests.

But three minutes later, they were rewarded a penalty when Terra was sent clear down the right again by former Glory midfielder Wayne Srhoj, and the Brazilian was tugged back by Naum Sekulovski and the referee pointed straight to the spot. Dutch striker Gerald Sibon sent Velaphi the wrong way to give the Heart the lead.

It was one-way traffic as the Heart continued to dominate and on eight minutes Srhoj picked out Terra on the right, and his deep cross picked out Sibon at the back post, but his weak header was straight at Velaphi.

Top of the table going into the round, the Glory’s first chance fell on 11 minutes when Steve McGarry found Scott Neville down the right and his cross found Todd Howarth, but his first time shot flew well over the top.

Then on 19 minutes, and against the run of play, the Glory were level. Adriano Pellegrino picked out Fowler on the right, his cross was flicked on by Jelic and the ball rebounded off the unfortunate defender Michael Marrone and into the net.

It was a bitter blow for the home side but they continued to take the game to the Glory and when Nick Kalmar’s cross from the left caught the Glory defence square, Velaphi was alert to punch clear from Sibon in the six-yard box.

But there was little Velaphi could do on 37 minutes when the Heart re-took the lead. Dean Heffernan’s free kick from the right wasn’t cleared by the Glory and the ball fell to Kalmar who fired home from eight-yards to give the Heart the lead at the break.

The Glory opened the second half the better and on the hour McGarry’s cross into the penalty area found Jelic, but the Serbian’s header from six-yards flashed over the bar.

It was a different Glory side in the second half and they went close again on 71 minutes. Great work on the left by Todd Howarth ended with a cross into the box and Baird dummied the ball allowing the ball to find Fowler, whose bullet like shot from six-yards was superbly saved by Clint Bolton.

The Glory were ending the game the better and on 80 minutes it was Howarth again who threaded a pin-point through ball to Sekulovski, but Bolton again was out quick to block the defenders shot.

It looked like the points were staying in Melbourne, giving the Heart there first win of the season, but that all changed in the 93rd minute, when Baird was brought down in the box and referee Ams pointed straight to the spot. There looked little contact, but Fowler kept his nerve to convert his first goal for the Glory and he celebrated with the Glory supporters at the ground.

Heart coach John Van ‘t Schip admitted his team was devastated to concede a goal in the dying minutes, saying his side had again shown improvement.

“That’s the most difficult thing I think because we are working very hard to get that first win and today it seemed to be there, but as we know, the game is more than 90 minutes,” he said.

“In the second half, we didn’t manage any more to play the game we did in the first half, we didn’t keep the ball up high. You could see Perth was applying more pressure, and they made one or two opportunities but Clint (Bolton) was playing a great game.”

Perth coach Dave Mitchell admitted it was a good sign his side had kept the pressure on, especially away from home where the Glory have traditionally struggled in previous years.

“It was pleasing we started to dominate the game away from home and we feel with the team we’ve got we can take anyone on,” Mitchell said.

“With that second-half performance we should have got something out of the game. We got in their penalty box, created chances and their keeper has made a couple of outstanding saves. You make your own luck….we had a right go and that’s probably paid dividends.”

Glory skipper Jacob burns was delighted to get something from the game. “We never stopped working and I’m very proud of the boys,” Burns said.

“We had a fantastic result here (at AAMI Park) against Victory, so that bred a bit of confidence in the camp. We were happy to come back here, we knew we were in for a tough game and credit to the boys they stuck to the job.”

Summary

Melbourne Heart: 2 (SIBON 4’ (pen), KALMAR 37’)

Perth Glory: 2 (MARRONE 19’ (own goal), FOWLER 90+3 (pen))

Sunday, 29 August 2010

AAMI Park, Melbourne

Referee: Kurt Ams

Attendance – 5,878

Melbourne Heart: GK Clint BOLTON, 2 Michael MARRONE (21 Kliment TASESKI 65’), 3 Brendan HAMILL, 4 Simon COLOSIMO, 6 Matt THOMPSON, 7 Rutger WORM, 9 Gerald SIBON (19 Eli BABALJ 61’), 10 Wayne SRHOJ, 11 ALEX TERRA (24 Aziz BEHICH 80’), 22 Nick KALMAR, 23 Dean HEFFERNAN

Substitutes not used: RGK Peter ZOIS

Yellow Cards: SRHOJ 52’, THOMPSON 82’, HEFFERNAN 88’, HAMILL 89’

Red cards: Nil

Perth Glory: GK Tando VELAPHI, 2 Josh MITCHELL, 3 Jamie COYNE, 7 Jacob BURNS (C), 9 Robbie FOWLER, 11 Branko JELIC, 10 (Michael BAIRD 61’), 12 Scott NEVILLE, 14 Steven McGARRY, 16 Adriano PELLEGRINO, 17 Todd HOWARTH, 19 Naum SEKULOVSKI (22 Anthony SKORICH 87’)

Substitutes not used: 20. Aleks VRTESKI (gk), 24. Josh RISDON

Yellow Cards:SEKULOVSKI 4’

Red cards: Nil Referee – Kurt Ams

Andy Todd Fit to Face the Heart

Perth Glory star defender Andy Todd has recovered from a knee injury and will travel to Melbourne to face the Heart on Sunday afternoon at AAMI Park.

Todd has missed the first three weeks of the Hyundai A-League season after minor knee surgery in the off-season.

The former English Premier League defender was a revelation last season – his first with the Glory – winning four individual awards including the MGP (most Glorious Player).

The 35 year old has trained fully with his teammates and will be considered for a starting position in defence with Jamie Harnwell ruled out because of a calf injury.

Kick-off against the Melbourne Heart is at 3pm tomorrow, Perth time.

Michael Baird Cleared for Glory Start

Perth Glory striker Michael Baird has finally received his provisional clearance from FIFA ending months of frustration.

Baird is now available for selection for tomorrow’s match against Melbourne Heart at AAMI Park and will travel with the team to Melbourne.

Baird’s provisional clearance arrived at 12.01am this morning after hours of negotiations between the games world governing body FIFA and Perth Glory Deputy Chairman Lui Giuliani.

The FFA has been on stand by and will now officially register Baird.

The 26 year old hasn’t played in the first three weeks of the Hyundai A-League season because of a contract dispute with his former Romanian club Universitatea Craiova.

Melbourne Heart v Perth Glory – Preview

Perth Glory coach Dave Mitchell will need to test the depth of his squad against Melbourne Heart this weekend.

A number of leading Glory players have been ruled unavailable for the clash with Chris Coyne, Victor Sikora, Mile Sterjovski, Jamie Harnwell and Andy Todd missing. To test Glory’s stocks further, incoming forward Michael Baird’s provisional clearance is yet to arrive, to also rule him out.

“The thing is some of it is not down to injury which is annoying but we just have to get on with it,” said Mitchell.

“The one advantage is, it does give other players an opportunity to stake a claim.”

Baird’s predicament has come as a result of his contract dispute with Romanian club Universtatea Craiova. The matter is in the hands of FIFA.

“It’s frustrating how one player at another club, in the same situation was cleared two weeks ago but we can’t get Michael free to play,” continued Mitchell.

Sunday’s match will be a milestone match for Glory’s Jamie Coyne and Tando Velaphi. It’s Velaphi’s 50th Hyundai A-League game for the club while Coyne will be first player to reach the ton for Perth Glory.

“For Jamie to make 100 A-League games is fantastic. He’s been a good servant of the club and a player who has been with us when we were down the bottom so hopefully he can enjoy some good times,” said Mitchell.

“I think Tando suffered in the early part of his career not playing enough games but it’s good because he’s now clocking them up and has come back and performed really well in the last few weeks.”

Melbourne Heart will also have a trio of big names missing with injury. John Aloisi, Josip Skoko and Michael Beauchamp have all been ruled out, but keeper Clint Bolton believes his side have the depth to cover for their absence.

“We’ve certainly got the squad to get a result. Without those three players, I’m still confident we can get a result,” Bolton told Melbourne radio stationSEN on Thursday.

Coach John van ‘t Schip is likely to use Brendan Hamill to fill the gap left by Beauchamp’s injury, while Wayne Srhoj slotted in for Skoko last week.

Bolton acknowledged that two losses and a draw was hardly the ideal start, but said the longer season meant the pressure wasn’t as intense as it was in the past to get off to a flying start.

“Everyone said from day one how good the squad looked on paper. But the games aren’t played on paper. There’s a lot of expectation, but it’s still early days,” he said.

“In the first year of the A-League, there was 21 games and you had to get off to a good start. There’s 30 games now, so there’s no panic from the coaches or the players yet.”

“We know we are not far off from a win. It will only take that one win tog et the ball rolling and get a bit of momentum.”

Melbourne Heart v Perth Glory
Sunday, 29 August 2010
AAMI Park, Melbourne
Local kick-off: 5pm AEST
Referee: Kurt Ams

Melbourne Heart squad: 1. Clint BOLTON, 2. Michael MARRONE, 3. Brendan HAMILL, 4.Simon COLOSIMO, 6. Matt THOMPSON, 7. Rutger WORM, 9. Gerald SIBON, 10. Wayne SRHOJ, 11. ALEX TERRA, 12. Peter ZOIS, 17. Jason HOFFMAN, 18. Ante TOMIC, 19. Eli BABALJ, 21. Kliment TASESKI, 22. Nick KALMAR, 23. Dean HEFFERNAN, 24. Aziz BEHICH

Perth Glory squad: 1. Tando VELAPHI, 2. Josh MITCHELL, 3. Jamie COYNE, 7. Jacob BURNS (C), 9.Robbie FOWLER, 10. Michael BAIRD, 11. Branko JELIC, 12. Scott NEVILLE, 14. Steven McGARRY, 15. Howard FONDYKE 16. Adriano PELLEGRINO, 17. Todd HOWARTH, 19. Naum SEKULOVSKI, 20. Aleks VRTESKI, 22. Anthony SKORICH, 23. ANDRIJA JUKIC

Glory back on top as Jelic downs the Jets

Perth Glory returned back to the top of the Hyundai A-League ladder with a hard fought 1-0 win against Newcastle Jets at the nib Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

First half substitute Branko Jelic’s goal, seven minutes after coming on to replace Mile Sterjovski, was enough to give the home side the points. The Serbian striker bundling home from close-range after Ben Kennedy could only parry Todd Howarth’s volley in first half stoppage time.

The home side went into the game unchanged from the side that beat Melbourne Victory last week, meaning new signing Josh Mitchell had to be content with a place on the bench.

The Jets on the other hand made two changes to the side that drew 1-1 with Melbourne Heart. In came Tarek Elrich and Jobe Wheelhouse to replace the injured Nikolai Topor-Stanley and Ali Abbas, who dropped to the bench.

It was an even opening to the game, in front of another good home crowd of 12,031, and the first real opportunity fell to the Glory on 18 minutes. Naum Sekulovski’s though ball found Steven McGarry on the left, but the Scottish midfielder’s shot went wide of the target.

Both sides were guilty of giving the ball away to easy, and the flow of the game suffered because of this and chances were few and far between.

Long-range shots were the order of the day and on 35 minutes Adriano Pellegrino tried his luck but it was wide of the target, and two minutes later Elrich suffered the same fate.

The home side suffered a blow on 38 minutes when Sterjovski limped off with an ankle injury and he was replaced by Jelic.

Moments later the visitors went within inches of taking the lead. Skipper Michael Bridges was brought down on the edge of the box by Jamie Harnwell, and from the resulting free kick, Marko Jesic shot crashed off the crossbar.

With half time looming the Glory pressed forward and on 42 minutes Howarth and Robbie Fowler combined down the left to send Jelic clear, but a great last ditch tackle from former Glory midfielder Kasey Wehrman cleared the danger.

In first half stoppage-time it was the home side that broke the deadlock. McGarry picked out the overlapping Pellegrino down the right, and his cross found Howarth on the edge of the box. His first time volley was parried by Kennedy, and Jelic was quickest to react to bundle the ball over the line from close-range, to give the Glory the lead at the break.

Branko Culina made a change at the break with Abbas replacing Wheelhouse, but it was the Glory that almost doubled their lead two minutes in. Howarth’s cross from the left picked out Fowler, but the ex-Liverpool striker’s header crashed off the crossbar.

Fowler was becoming more involved in the game and on 53 minutes he sent a great through ball into Jelic, but the striker weak shot went wide.

It was Fowler again on 63 minutes, his ball sent Sekulovski clear down the left. He beat keeper Kennedy to the ball and pulled the ball back from the by-line to Jelic who blazed over the top from five-yards.

The Jets were struggling to create anything going forward, and it was the Glory pressing for the second. On 77 minutes a great ball by Sekulovski that sent Jelic free down the left. His pinpoint cross picked out Fowler in the box, but he headed straight at Kennedy from eight-yards.

Both sides went close as the game began to open up. First on 82 minutes, good work from Abbas on the right found Labinot Haliti, who blazed high and wide, and moments later Howarth’s volley from long-range was saved low by Kennedy.

It was the Jets that were ending the game the better and on 88 minutes they almost levelled. Wehrman cross from the left picked out New Zealand international striker Jeremy Brockie, who wasn’t closed down by the Glory defence, but his low shot drifted inches past the far post with keeper Tando Velaphi scrambling across goal.

The home side suffered another injury blow on 91 minutes with Harnwell limping off to be replaced by Josh Mitchell, to make his first league start for the Glory.

There was one last chance for the Jets to salvage a point. Wehrman’s free kick from the right was headed back across goal by Ruben Zadkovich, but the former Derby County midfielder could only find Valphi who saved low, much to the relief of the home supporters. Moments later referee Matthew Breeze blew for full time, and it was Glory back on top of the table.

Perth coach Dave Mitchell said he was relieved his team held on given their recent history.

“Going on past games we’ve lost late goals, so it was pretty nerve-wracking,” he said.

“We didn’t particularly play as well as we’d like, but we created enough chances to win the game.”

Jets coach Branko Culina said he was disappointed with his side’s effort.

“We didn’t play well enough. I don’t think the opposition was ever outstanding, though they deserved to win because they got a goal and we didn’t,” Culina said.

“We didn’t have enough players that turned up to play today. We defended valiantly but didn’t do ourselves justice with the ball.”

Perth Glory: 1 (Jelic 45’) Newcastle Jets: 0

Saturday, 21 August 2010 @NIB Stadium, Perth

Referee: Matthew Breeze - Assistant referees: Joe Fusari, Michael Nugus

Fourth official: Matthew Cheeseman

Crowd: 12,031

Perth Glory - GK Tando VELAPHI, 3 Jamie COYNE, 5 Jamie HARNWELL (2 Josh MITCHELL 90+2’), 7 Jacob BURNS, 9 Robbie FOWLER (23 ANDRIJA JUKIC 87’), 12 Scott NEVILLE, 14 Steven McGARRY, 16 Adriano PELLEGRINO, 17 Todd HOWARTH, 19 Naum SEKULOVSKI, 21 Mile STERJOVSKI (11 Branko JELIC 38’) - Substitutes not used: RGK Aleks VRTESKI,

Yellow cards: Neville 29’, Burns 59’

Newcastle Jets - GK Ben KENNEDY, 3 Adam D’APUZZO, 5 Ljubo MILICEVIC, 6 Ben KANTAROVSKI, 7 Kasey WEHRMAN, 8 Michael BRIDGES (14 Labinot HALITI 67’), 10 Ruben ZADKOVICH, 11 Tarek ELRICH, 12 Jobe WHEELHOUSE (19 Ali ABBAS 46’), 16 Jeremy BROCKIE, 18 Marko JESIC - Substitutes not used: RGK Paul HENDERSON, 2 Taylor REGAN,

Yellow cards: Zadkovich 43’

Glory v Newcastle Player by Player Review

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