Burns finished with 28 votes after being awarded top scores in seven games this year. Departing goalkeeper Tando Velaphi finished runner-up on 20 votes.

The captain told the crowd individual awards were only made possible by a team effort.

“It’s really very humbling to win the MGP but special praise must go to all the members in the squad,” Burns said.

“Football is a team game and without the support of my team mates nothing is possible.”

Scott Neville – the player hailed by many as the shining light in Glory’s dark season – finished third in the voting and also picked up awards for supporters’ player of the year, the players’ player of the year and clubman of the year.

The 21-year-old remained solid all season while those around him fluctuated. His standing at the club became clear when he was awarded the captain’s armband in the absence of Burns for several matches.

Midfielder Adriano Pellegrino was awarded the Volunteers Player of the year while Robbie Fowler collected the Bobby Despotovski Golden Boot as the club’s leading goal scorer with 9.

Three awards were also presented to the Glory’s W-League team with Alexandra Nilsson winning the Most Glorious Women’s Player. The Swede also won the ME Bank Players’ Player of the year while Matildas representatives Kate Gill and Sam Kerr shared the APB Modular Golden Boot.

MGP LEADERBOARD

1. Jacob Burns 28 votes
2. Tando Velaphi 20 votes
3. Scott Neville 16 votes
4. Steven McGarry 15 votes
5. Robbie Fowler 14 votes

A first half goal from Labinot Haliti set them on their way, and further goals after the break from Jeremy Brockie and a brace from substitute Sasho Petrovski, put the Jets three points behind Wellington Phoenix, but now with a better goal difference. They now must hope the Phoenix lose next week against North Queensland Fury, while the Jets must beat Central Coast Mariners in the F3 derby to move into the top six.

With their season on the line Branko Culina made one change to the side that drew 1-1 with Sydney FC last time out, with Ryan Griffiths replacing Adam D’Apuzzo. Glory coach Ian Ferguson made three changes to the side that lost 1-2 against Gold Coast United with Brent Griffiths, Howard Fondyke and Todd Howarth coming into the side with Jamie Harnwell, Naum Sekulovksi and Joshua Risdon missing out.

It was the Jets who began the better and should have taken the lead after six minutes. A corner wasn’t cleared by the Glory and when Marko Jesic returned the ball into the area Haliti beat the offside trap, but his weak header from four-yards was easily saved by Tando Velaphi.

The striker made emends seven minutes later when he gave the Jets the lead. Ali Abbas’ cross from the right was chested down by Brockie and Haliti’s shot from the edge of the box went into the net off the far post.

It was one-way traffic and Brockie was in again on 20 minutes, he was sent clear by Jesic, but the New Zealand international fired straight at Velaphi.

The first chance for the visitors didn’t come until the half hour mark, Steven McGarry’s curling shot from 18-yards drifted wide of the upright.

The next ten minutes was the best spell of the game for the Glory and when Robbie Fowler superbly picked out McGarry on the halfhour, he played in Fondyke. The youngster’s goal bound volley from 18-yards was well saved by Ben Kenney at full stretch.

After the break there were chances at both ends early. First on 51 minutes Haliti was sent clear by Brockie, but his shot from 10-yards was well saved by Velaphi. At the other end Fowler’s long-range shot was saved by Kennedy, and moments later the former Liverpool striker headed straight at Kennedy from Scott Neville’s cross from the right.

The Jets were looking for goals to boost their goal difference, and they made it 2-0 on 55 minutes. A great ball from the impressive Jesic found Brockie, and he skipped past Neville before finishing clinically past Velaphi.

With the Glory’s woeful season coming to an end, they looked for a consolation, but Adam Taggart headed wide at the back post on the hour, while McGarry’s long-range shot was straight at Kennedy.

But the game was put to bed by The Jets on 67 minutes, when Glory young defender Brent Griffiths handled the ball in the area and referee Matthew Breeze pointed straight to the spot. He was lucky not to be sent off, as he had already been given a yellow card early, but Petrovski kept his nerve to send Velaphi the wrong way to make it 3-0.

Straight from the kick off things got worse for the Glory and Brent Griffiths. The defender’s poor pass was intercepted by Petrovski, and the veteran striker then made him pay, firing home from 12-yards.

It was nearly 5-0 on 71 minutes, Ryan Griffiths sent Petrovski in down the left, but he was denied a hat-trick, when Velaphi saved his low shot.

Late chances fell to the Glory, Tommy Amphlett shot was superbly saved by Kennedy, and two minutes from time Fowler fired wide.

But at the final whistle it was the Jets who ran out worthy winners and Coach Branko Culina was happy with their performance and knows their fate is out of their hands. “I’m an optimists but also a realist,” he said.

“We’re certainly doing everything we can to make sure if nothing else we give Wellington a bit of a scare.

“The four goals we scored today put’s us back in the frame.”

Perth coach Ian Ferguson said his club’s season was a complete write-off and he’d make wholesale changes to his roster for next season. He is keen to secure a squad that will be able to play more direct, attacking football.

“It is no secret the last four or five months have been very disappointing,” he said.

“There’s going to be changes next season.”

Newcastle Jets: GK Ben KENNEDY, 4 Nikolai TOPOR-STANLEY, 11 Tarek ELRICH, 12 Jobe WHEELHOUSE, 14 Labinot HALITI (13 Sasho PETROVSKI 61′), 16 Jeremy BROCKIE, 18 Marko JESIC, 19 Ali ABBAS (26 James VIRGILI 75′), 23 Ryan GRIFFITHS, 25 Sam GALLAWAY (31 Jacob PEPPER 55′), 28 Mario SIMIC - Unused Substitutes: RGK Matt NASH

Yellow Cards: Sasho Petrovski 69′

Perth Glory: GK Tando VELAPHI, 2 Josh MITCHELL, 7 Jacob BURNS, 9 Robbie FOWLER, 12 Scott NEVILLE, 14 Steven MCGARRY, 15 Howard FONDYKE (13 Tommy AMPHLETT 64′), 16 Adriano PELLEGRINO, 17 Todd HOWARTH, 1. Brent GRIFFITHS, 26 Adam TAGGART (11 Branko JELIC 79′) - Unused Substitutes: RGK Alex PEARSON, 24 Josh RISDON

Yellow Cards: Brent Griffiths 55′

Referee – Matthew Breeze

Attendance – 7,286

Velaphi, who has made 63 A-League appearances since joining Glory from Brisbane in 2007, will join the club at the end of the current season and in time for Victory’s Asian Champions League campaign.

With Perth already confirming the signing of Vukovic for the next two seasons, Velaphi was keen to try his luck elsewhere and sees the Victory as the ideal opportunity.

“I’ve enjoyed my time at Perth Glory, but when the opportunity to move to Melbourne Victory came up, it was too good to refuse,” Velaphi said.

“They’ve got a really good mix of experience and youth at Victory, so I can’t wait to get involved and stake my claim.

“Having been to AAMI Park a couple of times this season, the prospect of training and playing in a world class facility like that is very appealing.”

Melbourne Victory football operations manager Gary Cole added: “We’re delighted to have signed a young ‘keeper of Tando’s quality and while he’s been a regular for Perth over the past couple of seasons, we feel he still has plenty of upside about him.

“He’s represented his country at both Under-20 and Under-23 level and has really come of age over the past 12 months with some outstanding performances.”

Victory also announced that defender Matthew Kemp has inked a new two-year deal, while midfielder Tom Pondeljak and youngster Matthew Foschini have each signed a one-year extension.

The win for Miron Bleiberg’s side takes them within a point of third-placed Adelaide United, still with a game in hand over the Reds, the loss for the home side brought an end to a disappointing season for their faithful supporters.

ith Glory coach Ian Ferguson away finishing his A-League accreditation, assistant coach Stuart Munro was in charge and he made two changes to the side that lost 0-2 against Sydney last time out. In came teenage striker Adam Taggart for his league debut, while Harnwell came in for his farewell home game, Mile Sterjovski was omitted while Todd Howarth dropped to the bench.

United made three changes to side that drew 0-0 against Adelaide United last week, Zenon Caravella, Tahj Minniecon and Golgol Mebrahtu coming in with injured pair Bruce Djite and John Curtis missing out and Adama Traore dropping to the bench.

It was a slow start to the game and the first opportunity fell to the Glory on 14 minutes, Adriano Pellegrino’s long-range shot saved by Glen Moss, who was looking for a 12^th clean sheet of the season.

United hadn’t lost in Perth in the A-League and they went close themselves six minutes later. Great work on the left by Minniecon ended with a shot from 12-yards which flashed over the bar.

Then on 31 minutes United hit the front. Smeltz’s perfected weighted ball sent Mebrahtu into the box and he was upended by Harnwell and referee Jarred Gillet pointed straight to the spot.  Smeltz stepped and fired home the penalty kick to give United the lead. It was Mebrahtu last contribution in the game, the midfielder was replaced by Traore after damaging his arm.

The Glory looked for a quick response and they went close six minutes later, Pellegrino’s long-range shot flashed inches wide of the post with Moss well beaten, but it was 1-0 to the visitors at the break.

After the break United had another penalty claim turned down, when Michael Thwaite was brought down by Harnwell, but the referee waved away their protests.

The crowd began to get behind the home side and when Robbie Fowler’s cross from the left on 52 minutes was knocked back by Scott Neville, but Taggart’s shot on the turn from six-yards went into the side netting.

But three minutes later it was 2-0. Good approach work by Caravella and Peter Perchtold ended with a great through ball from the German import, which sent Traore clear. He cut inside the penalty area but was brought down by Josh Mitchell and the referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot for the second time, Smeltz kept his nerve to score to silence the Glory home crowd.

On the hour the Glory brought on Tommy Amphlett and the winger almost had an immediate impact. A great run down the right from Amphlett saw him skip away from Kristian Rees, but his dangerous cross was well claimed by Moss.

It was the best spell of the game for the home side and McGarry’s shot from the edge of the box whistled over the bar on 68 minutes and seven minutes later they reduced the margin.

A long clearance from Mitchell was flicked on by Harnwell, and Taggart burst clear of his marker and finished clinically past Moss, much to the delight of the 6,617 home supporters.

Urged on by the Shed the Glory continued to press and when Pellegrino slipped in Amphlett five minutes from time, it looked like the youngster would level, but Dino Djulbic was alert to block superbly.

The home side had a penalty claim of their own turned down in the 85^th minute, when the ball hit Djulbic’s arm, but to the Glory bench and supporters frustration the referee waved away their protests.

With the Glory pushing forward they were caught out at the back in stoppage-time, Smeltz’s header at the back post was saved by Tando Velaphi, to deny the New Zealand international striker his hat-trick, but he had done enough to give United all three points.

At the final whistle an emotional Harnwell did a lap of honour with his family, and the loyal Glory supporters bid him farewell, and he said it was sad to end his career on a sour note.

“We weren’t good enough. We weren’t keeping the ball or doing anything and that has summed up our season,” he said.

“I’ve had plenty of good luck and unfortunately today wasn’t a good luck day.”

Gold Coast coach Miron Bleiberg said he was happy with the way his side performed for most of the match. “Up to the goal that Perth scored, Gold Coast were the better side, better organised and in control,” he said.

“It would have been unfair for us to control two-thirds of the game and only come away with a draw.”

Perth Glory 1 Gold Coast United 2

Sunday, February 6, 2011 nib Stadium
Attendance: 6617
Referee: Jared Gillet

Perth Glory: GK Tando Velaphi, 2 Josh Mitchell, 5 Jamie Harnwell, 7 Jacob Burns,  9 Robbie Fowler, 12 Scott Neville, 14 Steven McGarry (18 Brent Griffiths 71’), 16 Adriano Pellegrino, 19 Naum Sekulovski (17 Todd Howarth 60’), 2. Josh Risdon (13 Tommy Amphlett 60’), 26 Adam Taggart - Substitutes not used: 20. Alex Pearson (gk).

Yellow cards: Neville 21’, Burns 24’, Harnwell 31’

Gold Coast United: GK Glen Moss, 2 Steve Pantelidis, 3 Michael Thwaite, 6 Dino Djulbic, 7 Zenon Caravella, 8 Anderson, 9 Shane Smeltz (27 Chris Harold 90+1’), 15 Tahj Minniecon (23 Steve Fitzsimmons 73’), 16 Kristian Rees, 21 Golgol Mebrahtu (22 Adama Traore 34’), 33 Peter Perchtold - Substitutes not used: 20.Scott Higgins (gk),

Yellow cards: nil

The marquee man proved way too hot for the visitors to handle, firing Glory into a first-half lead via a penalty rebound, before completing his treble with two goals in the space of seven minutes after the break.

“Its nice scoring goals but the most important thing is the three points,” Fowler said.

“As the gaffer (coach) said we’ve been a lot better in the last few weeks but I think today we’ve taken it Melbourne and deserved the win.”

Glory certainly did not look like a side lacking in confidence, hitting their straps right from the opening whistle and carving out the game’s first goal scoring opportunity with barely two minutes on the clock.

Rampaging forward from left-back where he had replaced the suspended Naum Sekulovski, Jamie Coyne dummied to shoot from the edge of the box and instead slipped a neat through ball between the converging Kevin Muscat and Rodrigo Vargas. Fowler needed no second invitation to dart into the box, but his powerful drive brought a fine, one-handed block from Victory ‘keeper Michael Petkovic at point-blank range.

Having dominated much of the build-up to the game, Archie Thompson then decided to show the Victory fans just what they have been missing since he was forced out of last season’s Grand Final with a serious knee injury. Picking up the ball in the right channel, he deceived Scott Neville and then out-paced the covering Jamie Harnwell before unleashing a powerful angled drive that drew a fine save from the alert Tando Velaphi.

Glory responded in the best possible manner to that early scare, however, breaking the deadlock from the penalty spot on 13 minutes. It was Fowler who latched onto a flick-on from the lively Baird and when he went to ground under a clumsy challenge from Vargas, referee Chris Beath did not hesitate in awarding the penalty. Fowler duly dusted himself down and although his initial effort was parried by Petkovic, the former Liverpool man kept his nerve to lash the loose ball home.

An intriguing tactical battle was unfolding, with Victory employing their customary 3-5-2 and Glory favouring the more traditional 4-4-2 and it was the home side who gradually gained the ascendancy as the half progressed. Todd Howarth had two opportunities to double Glory’s advantage, firstly heading wide from a Fowler corner before firing over after Jacob Burns and Fowler had combined cleverly to create a shooting chance on the edge of the box.

Victory, meanwhile, were threatening only occasionally, although Velaphi was called upon to make another superb block on 34 minutes, getting his right hand to a shot from Marvin Angulo and tipping the Costa Rican midfielder’s goal-bound effort wide of the post.

Four minutes later it was Glory who were back on the front foot, with Burns sending a controlled 20 metre half-volley narrowly wide after Vargas had only managed to half clear a Pellegrino cross from the right. The Victory goal then continued to lead a charmed life moments later as a delightful dinked pass from Fowler released Neville, who turned Kevin Muscat inside out only to see his low shot bring out another top class stop from the over-worked Petkovic.

Clearly buoyed by their impressive first-half display, Glory carried on where they had left off after the break and deservedly grabbed their second goal of the afternoon nine minutes in. Neville again overlapped to great effect down the right flank, drilled in a low cross and Fowler showcased his legendary eye for a goal as he took his shot first time and swept the ball home past Petkovic at the near post.

Victory looked shell-shocked at this point, struggling to cope with the home side’s movement in the final third and with The Shed in full voice, Glory pushed home their advantage to bag a third goal just after the hour-mark. Pellegrino’s chipped through ball caught the visitors’ defence flat-footed as they looked in vain to play Fowler off-side and finding himself clean through on goal, Glory’s marquee man calmly side-footed past Petkovic to seal a stunning hat-trick.

With the game all but over as a contest, Ian Ferguson’s side could have been forgiven for sitting back and protecting their hard-won advantage, but they did no such thing, continuing to throw bodies forward at every opportunity and going close in the space of three minutes through long-range efforts from Pellegrino and the impressive Neville.

Not to be overshadowed by his fellow full-back, Coyne then decided to get in on the attacking act, playing a neat one-two with the ubiquitous Fowler, but failing to make a decent connection from close range with only Petkovic to beat.

To their credit, Victory continued to chase what was increasingly looking like a lost cause and they managed to claim a consolation goal with eleven minutes remaining. Angulo released Diogo Ferreira down the right and he picked out fellow-substitute Mate Dugandzic who made no mistake with a close-range finish at the far post.

That strike failed to take the gloss off a sparkling display from Ian Ferguson’s men, arguably their best home performance of the season and indeed Fowler could have added a fourth in stoppage time, dragging his shot centimetres wide after fine approach work from substitute Tommy Amphlett.

Hyundai A-League Round 14

Perth Glory3: (Fowler 13’, 54’, 61)

Melbourne Victory 1: (Dugandzic 79’)

nib Stadium Sunday 14th November

Attendance:6217

Referee: Chris Beath

Perth Glory: 1. Tando Velaphi (gk), 3. Jamie Coyne, 4. Andy Todd, 5.Jamie Harnwell, 7.Jacob Burns, 9.Robbie Fowler, 10.Michael Baird, 12.Scott Neville (15. Howard Fondyke 75’), 14.Steven McGarry (13.Tommy Amphlett 80’), 16. Adriano Pellegrino, 17. Todd Howarth (18. Brent Griffiths 66’)

Substitutes not used: 20. Aleks Vrteski

Yellow cards: Harnwell 21’, Neville 40’, McGarry 64’, Fondyke 79’

Red Cards: Nil

Melbourne Victory: 1.Michael Petkovic (gk), 2. Kevin Muscat (c), 5.Surat Sukha, 8.Grant Brebner (13.Diogo Ferreira 55’), 10. Archie Thompson (3. Mate Dugandzic 69’), 11.Marvin Angulo, 12.Rodrigo Vargas, 14. Billy Celeski, 15.Tom Pondeljak (6. Leigh Broxham 46’), 16.Carlos Hernandez, 23. Adrian Leijer

Substitutes not used: 20.Sebastian Mattei (gk)

Yellow cards: Vargas 11’, Broxham 51’,

Red Cards: Nil

The former Liverpool legend fired home a first half penalty to give Ian Ferguson’s side a perfect start, and two second half goals gave the home side a 3-0 lead. The consolation goal for the Victory came from second half substitute Mate Dugandzic, as Ernie Merrick’s side slipped to their sixth straight defeat on the road this season.

Glory, with new assistant coach Stuart Munro on board for the first time, made one change to the side that were beaten 0-2 at Adelaide United in midweek, with skipper Jacob Burns retuning to replace the suspended Naum Sekulovski. Victory made two changes to the side that lost 0-1 against the Gold Coast last week with Archie Thompson and Marvin Angulo coming into the side to replace the injured Robbie Kruse and Dugandzic who dropped to the bench.

It was a lively opening with both sides going close. First on two minutes a great through ball from Jamie Coyne sent Fowler in on goal, but his first time shot was superbly saved by Victory’s WA born keeper Michael Petkovic.

Then it was the visitors turn to go close on five minutes. Thompson showed great pace to skip past Scott Neville and Jamie Harnwell down the left, his shot from the angle was well saved by Tando Velaphi, at the second attempt.

The opener wasn’t far away, and it went to the home side on 13 minutes. Scottish midfielder Steve McGarry nodded forward to the on-running Fowler, who was bundled over by Victory defender Rodrigo Vargas, and referee Chris Beath had no hesitation in pointing to the spot.

It looked a harsh decision but Fowler picked himself up to take the penalty, but Victory keeper Petkovic guessed the right way to save the spot kick, but Fowler was quickest to react to fire home the rebound, much to the relief of the Glory faithful.

Victory needed to hit back and they went close twice in as many minutes. First on 34 minutes Thompson was sent clear down the right, and his cross picked out Angulo, but the Costa Rican midfielder’s shot was superbly saved by Velaphi at full stretch. Then moments later Carlos Hernandez through ball sent Angulo in on goal, again he skipped past Harnwell but he fired inches pasted the post.

The Glory ended the half the better and on 40 minutes it was nearly 2-0. Fowler was the provider this time, his great through ball sent Neville in on goal. He cut inside Victory skipper Kevin Muscat, but keeper Petkovic blocked the young defenders first effort, and was up quick to bravely save the rebound at Neville’s feet.

Victory made a change at the break with Leigh Broxton replacing former Glory midfielder Tom Pondeljak, but it was the Glory who had the best opening on 50 minutes. The lively Michael Baird was sent clear down the left, and his cross picked out Fowler, whose diving header from five-yards was saved low by Petkovic.

It was a great start by the Glory and they were rewarded with a second goal four minutes later. Neville and Burns combined down the right, and Neville’s ball into the box picked out Fowler who beat Petkovic at his near post from eight-yards.

The small crowd of 6, 217 were dancing in the stands and it got better for them on 61 minutes when Fowler completed his hat-trick. A great through ball from Adriano Pellegrino sent Fowler clear, the Victory defenders looked for offside, but the striker timed his run to perfection and finished clinically past Petkovic from six-yards.

The points looked safe, but with their poor record this season the home side were taking nothing for granted and continued to push forward and went close again ten minutes later. Fowler again was the provider, sending Pellegrino in down the left, he found Neville whose shot from 12-yards was tipped over the crossbar by Petkovic.

With time running out Victory gave themselves a lifeline when they reduced the margin on 79 minutes. A through ball from the impressive Angulo found second half substitute Diogo Ferreira in down the right; his cross was turned home by Dugandzic from four-yards.

The goal turned out to be only a consolation for the visitors, and the home crowd had to endure five minutes of stoppage-time before the final whistle sounded to end a horror run for the Glory.

Glory coach Ian Ferguson notched up his first win since taking over from Dave Mitchell just over a month ago and he was delighted for everyone involved at the club.

“I’m just delighted to get the monkey off the back,” Ferguson said.

“It’s a nice feeling you know, every emotion under the sun was going through me at the moment, but it was just nice to hear that whistle and pleased for the boys and pleased for the club as well.”

On the other hand Victory Coach Ernie Merrick was disappointed with his side. “It was a pretty poor performance all round,” Merrick said.

“Perth Glory to their credit put us under a lot of pressure. We just couldn’t get in the game, it was one of the few games where all round we just didn’t play that well whether it be defence, midfield or attack.”

Perth Glory – GK Tando Velaphi, 3 Jamie Coyne, 4 Andy Todd, 5 Jamie Harnwell, 7 Jacob Burns, 9 Robbie Fowler, 10 Michael Baird, 12 Scott Neville (15 Howard Fondyke 76’), 14 Steven McGarry (13 Tommy Amphlett 80’), 16 Adriano Pellegrino, 17 Todd Howarth (18 Brent Griffiths 66’)

Subs not used – RGK Alex Vrteski

Yellow Cards – Harnwell 22’, Neville 41’, McGarry 64’, Fondyke 78’

Melbourne Victory – GK Michael Petkovic, 2 Kevin Muscat, 5 Surat Sukha, 8 Grant Brebner (13 Diogo Ferreira 55’), 10 Archie Thompson (3 Mate Dugandzic 69’), 11 Marvin Angulo, 12 Rodrigo Vargas, 14 Billy Celeski, 15 Tom Pondeljak (6 Leigh Broxham 46’), 16 Carlos Hernandez, 23 Adrian Leijer

Subs not used – RGK Sebastian Mattei,

Yellow Card – Vargas 12’, Broxham 51’, Muscat 79’

Referee – Chris Beath

Attendance – 6, 217

It’s now ten games without a win for Ian Ferguson’s side, and to make matters worse Naum Sekulovski was sent off in the 63^rd minute for a second yellow card. The dismissal spoilt the defenders 100^th A-League game, and moments later Iain Fyfe headed the home side in front and Sergio van Dijk made sure of the points with a header two minutes in to stoppage-time, the win the first in three games for Rini Coolen’s side.

The home side made one change from the side that were thrashed 4-0 at Brisbane Roar on Saturday, with Argentina midfielder Marcos Flores returning from injury. He replaced Iain Ramsay, who dropped to the bench.

Glory made five changes to the side that lost 1-0 at home against Wellington Phoenix on Sunday. Youngsters Tommy Amphlett, Howard Fondyke and Brent Griffiths dropped to the bench, while Skipper Jacob Burns was suspended and Mile Sterjovski was out injured. They were replaced by Robbie Fowler, Steven McGarry, Adriano Pellegrino, Jamie Harnwell and Sekulovski.

It was a bright opening from the visitors and they went close on three minutes. Jamie Coyne won possession in the middle of the park from Reds skipper Lucas Pantelis and fed McGarry, the Scottish midfielder’s first time shot deflected off a defender and landed on top of the net.

Despite only one point in nine games the Glory continued to take the game to Adelaide and on six minutes Sekulovski’s long-range shot was saved low by Eugene Galekovic. Then four minutes later a great through ball by Fowler sent Coyne racing into the box, but the Socceroos keeper was out quick to save at the midfielders’ feet.

It was Fowler again on the half hour that treaded an inch perfect pass into McGarry, but his first time shot was blocked by Robert Cornthwaite and cleared.

The first chance for the home side didn’t come until the 38^th minute. Cassio picking out Paul Reid on the edge of the box, the former Brighton and Hove Albion midfielders’ volley whistled inches past the post.

Reds Coach Coolen made a change at the break, bringing on Travis Dodd in place of Joseph Keenan.

Again it was the Glory that began the second half the better and on 51 minutes, skipper for the night Scott Neville, won possession from Cassio down the right. He found Fowler, whose curling shot from 18-yards was well saved by Galekovic low to his left.

The introduction of Dodd gave the Reds more penetration in the final third and on 55 minutes Cassio’s pin-point cross was headed inches over the bar by the former skipper.

It was Cassio again two minutes later, the Brazilian skipped past Neville on the left and his cross picked out Van Dijk at the back post who headed wide.

The game turned on 63 minutes, when Glory defender Sekulovski deliberately handled the ball and referee Ryan Shepheard showed him a second yellow card and he was sent off. Then from the resulting free kick the home side hit the front. Pantelis’ set piece from the right was headed home by the unmarked Fyfe from six-yards.

Adelaide looked to kill off the ten men Glory, but it was the visitors who should have levelled on 74 minutes. Todd Howarth skipped past Fabian Barbiero on the left of the penalty area, but his low shot drifted just wide of the far post.

With the Glory pushing men forward in search of the equaliser, gaps began to appear at the back. Pantelis’ fierce shot flashed inches wide of the post and in the 88 minute and moments later Dodd was clear in on goal and after he won the tackle with keeper Tando Velaphi he fired wide of the empty net from 16-yards.

The points were wrapped up for the Reds, with a second goal in the 92^nd minute. Cassio found second half substitute Ramsey down the left, and his curling cross found Van Dijk at the back post, and the Dutch striker headed home from six-yards.

Adelaide United’s coach Rini Coolen was relieved with the win, the first under the new ownership of a consortium of local businessmen headed by Rob Gerard.

But Coolen said his side’s first-half lethargy was troubling. “I am not happy with the first half … we had some problems to come back in the game,” Coolen said.

“What we showed in the second half, that is what we have to do.

“We talked about it at half-time, there were some hard words not only about not trying to play football, but also a few players not doing their job.”

Perth Glory coach Ian Ferguson said despite the winless sequence continuing, he was proud of the effort of his players.

“Another defeat, which is not great, but I think the effort and the commitment the boys showed was fantastic,” Ferguson said.

“I couldn’t say a bad word against the boys, they went out there and showed a lot more desire, a lot more commitment than what they have showed in the last five, six weeks.

“I know it’s a defeat but the signs were positive, we’re heading in the right direction.”

Hyundai A-League - Wednesday 10^th November 2010

Adelaide United 2 (Fyfe 64’, Van Dijk 90’ +2)

Perth Glory 0

@Hindmarsh Stadium

Referee – Ryan Shepheard

Attendance – 10, 023

Adelaide United – GK Eugene Galekovic, 2 Robert Cornthwaite, 4 Iain Fyfe, 6 Cassio, 7 Lucas Pantelis, 8 Adam Hughes, 9 Sergio van Dijk, 10 Marcos Flores (17 Iain Ramsay 75’), 12 Paul Reid, 18 Fabian Barbiero, 26 Joseph Keenan (13 Travis Dodd 46’) – Subs not used – RGK Mark Birighitti, 24 Cameron Watson

Yellow Cards – Flores 25’, Reid 55’

Perth Glory – GK Tando Velaphi, 3 Jamie Coyne, 4 Andy Todd, 5 Jamie Harnwell, 9 Robbie Fowler, 10 Michael Baird (13 Tommy Amphlett 70’), 12 Scott Neville, 14    Steven McGarry (15 Howard Fondyke 82’), 16 Adriano Pellegrino, 17 Todd Howarth (18 Brent Griffiths 82’), 19 Naum Sekulovski

Subs not used – RGK Alex Vrteski

Yellow Cards – Todd 17’, Pellegrino 29’, Sekulovski 45’, Neville 45+5’, McGarry 63’ Sekulovski 63’, Griffiths 90+4’ – Red Cards – Sekulovski 63’

“Losing an early goal wasn’t good. We defended well but just couldn’t get the ball in the net, “Perth Glory interim coach Ian Ferguson said.

Another home game, another blistering start, but unfortunately for Glory, it was the visitors who hit the front in spectacular style before many fans had even found their seats. With only 42 seconds on the clock, a long clearance from Phoenix goalkeeper Mark Paston made its way to Chris Greenacre via Leo Bertos, the Englishman laid it into the path of Brown and from just outside the area, the All Whites international crashed an unstoppable pile-driver past the helpless Tando Velaphi into the roof of the net.

The home side could have been forgiven for being stunned by such an early setback, but to their credit, they immediately set about forcing their way back into the contest and came agonisingly close to restoring parity within three minutes. Howard Fondyke split the Phoenix defence with a perfectly-weighted through ball that allowed Michael Baird to race clear on goal, but Paston was equally sharp off his line and made a fine sprawling block as the former Queensland Roar striker tried to dink the ball over him.

The goalmouth drama then proceeded to dry up slightly as both sides settled into the game, but there was still plenty to for the fans to enjoy as Tommy Amphlett and Manny Muscat engaged in an intriguing duel down Glory’s right flank and Jacob Burns and Fondyke went to toe to toe with central midfield counterparts Simon Elliott and Brown.

Phoenix danger-man Paul Ifill, meanwhile, was kept pretty quiet during the opening exchanges, although he did waste a fine chance to double his side’s advantage on 20 minutes, taking his shot too early after latching onto an under-hit back pass from Brent Griffiths and failing to trouble Velaphi.

Moments later Glory were dealt a blow as Scott Neville was forced to limp from the fray. The in-form defender came off second best after a thundering challenge on Vince Lia, picking up a yellow card for his troubles before being replaced by Jamie Harnwell. The club’s record appearance holder slotted in alongside Andy Todd at the heart of the defence, with Brent Griffiths moving to left back and Jamie Coyne moving to the right and almost made an immediate impact at the other end, rising high to meet an inswinging Burns free-kick only to be foiled by Paston’s punch.

Glory went on to finish the half strongly, Baird heading wide after again being picked out by the lively Fondyke with a deep cross, but Ricki Herbert’s men just managed to hold on and take their precious lead into the sheds.

The home side were grateful to Velaphi with the second-half barely two minutes old, as he pulled off a fine reflex save to deny Ifill, before Glory responded in kind at the other end, Sterjovski firing over from just inside the box and Baird seeing a goal-bound effort blocked by Ben Sigmund.

With the Shed upping the volume levels, Ian Ferguson’s men began to dominate in terms of both possession and territory and created another golden chance on 68 minutes. A neat exchange of passes between Sterjovski, substitute Robbie Fowler and Burns culminated in the latter playing the overlapping Coyne in on goal, but Paston was again out smartly to make a brave block at the defender’s feet.

Burns’ tenacity was a driving force behind Glory’s increasingly desperate search for an equalizer, but unfortunately for the club skipper, his enthusiasm got the better of him with ten minutes left as he received his marching orders following a tangle with Phoenix substitute Daniel.

The home side made light of their numerical disadvantage to keep pressing right to the death, but with Andrew Durante and Sigmund immovable objects at the heart of their defence, the visitors held firm, ran the clock down and ensured that the points would be winging their way back across the Tasman.

Hyundai A-League Round 13

Perth Glory: 0

Wellington Phoenix: 1 (BROWN 1’)

Sunday, 7 November nib Stadium, Perth

Referee: Kris Griffiths-Jones

Attendance: 6,676

Perth Glory line up: 1. Tando VELAPHI (gk), 3. Jamie COYNE, 4. Andy TODD, 7.Jacob BURNS, 10. Michael BAIRD (9.Robbie FOWLER 61’), 12.Scott NEVILLE (5. Jamie HARNWELL 33’), 13. Tommy AMPHLETT (16. Adriano PELLEGRINO 75’), 15. Howard FONDYKE, 17. Todd HOWARTH, 18. Brent GRIFFITHS, 21. Mile STERJOVSKI

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

Yellow cards: Neville 30’, Burns 32’, Griffiths 64’, Todd 92’

Red cards: Burns 80’

Wellington Phoenix line up:: 1. Mark PASTON (gk), 2. Manny MUSCAT, 6. Tim BROWN, 7. Leo BERTOS (21. Marco ROJAS 92’), 8. Paul IFILL (23. Dylan MACALLISTER 72’), 9. Chris GREENACRE (11. DANIEL 69’), 15. Jade NORTH, 17. Vince LIA, 18. Ben SIGMUND, 22. Andrew DURANTE (c), 26. Simon ELLIOTT

Substitutes not used: 19. Danny VUKOVIC (gk),

Yellow cards: Lia 34’, Brown 44’, Elliott 68’, Muscat 70’

Red cards: Nil

The Glory, who has not won in their last four games, opened well and were ahead through a Ryan Pearson long-range strike in the 19th minute, and it was 2-0 on 37 minutes when young Socceroo Cameron Edwards slotted the ball home.

In an entertaining and end-to-end second half, Adelaide pulled one back through Matt Mullen’s 71st-minute penalty, but the Reds couldn’t find an equaliser.

Despite the Glory fielding five regular senior players in Jelic, Steve McGarry, Naum Sekulovski, Anthony Skorich and Ryan Pearson, it was the visitors that started the stronger.

Reds midfielder Joe Costa was causing all sorts of problems down the right, on 10 minutes his run and teasing cross shot went only inches wide.

The Glory lifted and led by Scottish midfielder McGarry, who was everywhere in the opening stages, they began to take control of the game, and their pressure paid off on 19 minutes with the lead.

A poor clearance out of the defence only found Ryan Pearson, and the former Armadale SC youngster’s 30-yard drive flew into the net giving Reds keeper Luke Ostbye no chance.

Eight minutes from the break, Perth doubled the advantage through a well-worked goal. A throw-in on the right found Skorich, who cleverly flicked the ball over two Adelaide defenders and squared the ball to Edwards who fired home from six-yards, to make it 2-0 at the break.

Adelaide responded after the break however, and on the hour Kym Harris’ long-range shot flashed inches over the bar and nine minutes later Glory goalkeeper Alex Pearson was alert to block Francesco Monterosso’s shot, as the Reds looked to get back into the game.

They were two minutes later, when Ryan Pearson turned from hero to villain as his clumsy challenge in the box saw referee Josh Mihevc point straight to the spot. Reds skipper Mullen kept his nerve to score and give the Reds a lifeline.

But that was the cue for Perth to lift their game, as Ryan Pearson, desperate to atone for his mistake, burst through the middle of the park, before laying the ball off for Sahr Musa, whose cross was headed inches over by Billy Quinncroft.

Twelve minutes from time a goal-bound Storm Roux shot appeared to hit the arm of an Adelaide defender on the line, but referee Mihevc waved away the Glory protests. South African born Roux, was on fire and two minutes later he created a great chance for Quinncroft but, but the former Sorrento striker was thwarted by Reds goalkeeper Ostbye.

Another Roux cross in the 84th minute presented Jelic with the chance to seal the points, but the Serbian striker fired inches wide, while a lob from Quinncroft in stoppage-time time was cleared off the line by desperate Adelaide defender Alan Welsh.

After two goalless draws in succession, the win sees Perth Glory leapfrog Gold Coast into top position in the National Youth League standings as Adelaide remain seventh on a congested table, still just four points adrift of top spot.

National Youth league week 8

Saturday, 6 November 2010
6PR Stadium, Inglewood
Attendance – 200 (Approx)

Perth Glory 2 (Pearson 19’, Edwards 37’)
Adelaide United 1 (Mullen 71’pen)

Perth Glory squad: Alex PEARSON, Tim DOYLE, Cameron EDWARDS, Dean EVANS, Luke JOHNSTON, Sahr MUSA, Harry O’BRIEN, Brandon O’NEILL, Alex PEARSON, Billy QUINNCROFT, Joshua RISDON, Storm ROUX, Stephen WALMSLEY, Branko JELIC, Ryan PEARSON, Steven MCGARRY, Anthony SKORICH, Naum SEKULOVSKI

Adelaide United squad: Joe COSTA, Jordan ELSEY, Jackson GROVES, Matthew HALLIDAY, Kym HARRIS, Evan KOSTOPOULOS, Perry MITRIS, Francesco MONTEROSSO, Matthew MULLEN, Nick MUNRO (gk), Mitch NICHOLSON, Bradley NORTON, Luke OSTBYE (gk), Brett RAYNER, Jordan SPADEVECCHIA, Alan WELSH

Glory managed to snap a losing streak of seven matches with a scoreless draw against Melbourne Heart on Wednesday whilst Wellington Phoenix suffered their first defeat at home in 24 matches, which was their fourth match on the trot without a victory.

Ian Ferguson has promised to stick with his trio of ‘young kids’ for Sunday’s game. Tommy Amphlett, Howard Fondyke and defender Brent Griffiths all played key roles in Wednesday’s 0-0 draw with Melbourne Heart.

Ferguson was thrilled with the energy provided by the young trio and indicated they would again start against Phoenix, which sits one place higher than Perth on the table on goal difference.

“Look, I thought the boys did well,” Ferguson said.

“It was a massive difference to the way we’d been playing and the young kids came in and gave us that lift we were looking for and I’d say there won’t be too many changes.

“We’ll keep the young kids in there.

“They gave us that energy and I thought they were fantastic and gave us that lift we were looking for and hopefully it’s a step in the right direction for the way we’ve been.”

Although Wellington is a renowned struggler on the road, Ferguson has warned his charges to be on full alert after Phoenix suffered a humiliating 4-1 defeat at home to Brisbane Roar on Wednesday.

“I know what it’s like coming off a heavy defeat (after we lost 5-0 to Central Coast Mariners last week),” Ferguson said.

“They’ll be hurting … they’re a very good team. I watched them against Brisbane and even though the scoreline was 4-1 they still created some really good chances.”

Ferguson also brings in the experienced Jamie Harnwell, Naum Sekulovski and Steven McGarry to the squad, after they were omitted against The Heart.

Wellington striker Paul Ifill hoped the heavy loss to Brisbane, which broke Phoenix’s 24-game unbeaten streak at Westpac Stadium, would prove to be a blessing in disguise.

“We’ve been relying on our home form for far too long and it’s about time that we became a regular football team, winning and losing games home and away just as everybody else does,” Ifill said.

“We can’t get beaten like that again, especially in our own backyard. We’re better than that.

“But seasons have turning points.

“Sometimes it’s a win, sometimes it’s a loss.

“Sometimes you need a kick up the backside and that might have been it on Wednesday night.

“If we go to Perth this weekend and win then people will forget about that loss at home and we’ll be right back in it.

“It’s nothing that one win on the road won’t cure.”

The Phoenix has dropped WA born Nick Ward for the game, but has promoted Marco Rojas to the squad for the long trip

Perth Glory squad: 1 Tando VELAPHI (gk), 2 Josh MITCHELL 3 Jamie COYNE, 4 Andy TODD, 5 Jamie HARNWELL, 7 Jacob BURNS, 9 Robbie FOWLER, 10 Michael BAIRD, 11 Branko JELIC, 12 Scott NEVILLE, 13 Tommy AMPHLETT, 14 Steven McGARRY, 15 Howard FONDYKE, 16 Adriano PELLEGRINO, 17 Todd HOWARTH, 18 Brent GRIFFTHS 19 Naum SEKULOVSKI, 20 Aleks VRTESKI (gk), 21 Mile STERJOVSKI, 22 Anthony SKORICH, 25 Ryan PEARSON *five to be omitted* In: Jamie HARNWELL (promoted), Branko JELIC (promoted), Steven McGARRY (promoted), Naum SEKULOVSKI (promoted), Anthony SKORICH (promoted), Ryan PEARSON (promoted) Out: Nil

Wellington Phoenix squad: 1 Mark PASTON (gk), 2 Manny MUSCAT, 6 Tim BROWN, 7 Leo BERTOS, 8 Paul IFILL, 9 Chris GREENACRE, 11 DANIEL, 15 Jade NORTH, 17 Vince LIA, 18 Ben SIGMUND, 19 Danny VUKOVIC (gk), 21 Marco ROJAS, 22 Andrew DURANTE (c), 23 Dylan MACALLISTER, 26 Simon ELLIOTT In: Marco ROJAS (promoted) Out: Nick WARD (not selected