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Fowler hat-trick sinks Victory

14th November, 2010
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Robbie Fowler completed a superb hat-trick as Perth Glory snapped their 10-game winless run with a 3-1 A-League triumph over Melbourne Victory at nib Stadium on Sunday.

Fowler, benched in recent weeks and under pressure to perform after a lean run of form this season, scored in the 13th, 54th and 61st minutes to inspire Perth to their first win since September 5, lifting the club equal on points with seventh-placed Wellington (15 points).

It was also coach Ian Ferguson’s first win in charge of the club since taking over from Dave Mitchell seven games ago.

Victory scored a consolation through substitute Mate Dugandzic in the 79th minute, but the damage had been well and truly done by then.

Sixth-placed Melbourne’s third loss from their past four games left them three points adrift of cross-town rivals Heart, with a tough match against Central Coast to come on Thursday.

Perth had taken just a single point from a possible 30 in their 10 previous games.

And while the drought-breaking win over Melbourne was important enough in itself, the manner in which it was achieved was the most heartening aspect.

Perth’s players were full of energy from the outset, creating a glut of chances in their most productive performance of the season.

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Only a brilliant palm away from Victory goalkeeper Michael Petkovic denied Fowler in the second minute.

At the other end, Melbourne striker Archie Thompson – handed his first start since injuring his knee in last season’s grand final – showed he had lost none of his blistering pace, scooting past two defenders before forcing Glory custodian Tando Velaphi into a good save in the fifth minute.

Perth had gone five games without scoring but Fowler was given the chance to end that drought when he was brought down by a slight nudge in the box by Victory defender Rodrigo Vargas.

A diving Petkovic saved Fowler’s weak penalty, but the Glory striker easily poked home the rebound to the relief of the 6217 fans.

Chances were few and far between for Melbourne in the first half.

But Velaphi was sensational on the rare occasions he was called into action, diving full length to fingertip away Marvin Angulo’s goalward-bound effort in the 34th minute.

Petkovic was just as sturdy, foiling Neville’s effort with his legs after the Glory defender raced into the box.

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But Fowler struck again shortly after half-time, drilling past a diving Petkovic after Neville’s smart square-up.

And the dream hat-trick was complete in the 61st minute when Fowler, one-on-one with the ‘keeper after latching on to Adriano Pellegrino’s beautifully-weighted loft, calmly slotted home.

“It’s nice scoring goals (but) ultimately the most important thing is the three points,” Fowler said.

“Today we’ve come out and took it to Melbourne and we deserved the win.

“From the ‘keeper to Michael Baird up front everyone played their part.

“It’s a great win, but it’s one win in 10 so let’s not get carried away.”

Melbourne coach Ernie Merrick was baffled by his team’s sub-standard performance.

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“It was a pretty poor performance all around,” Merrick said.

“We just couldn’t get in the game. It was one of the few games where all around we just didn’t play well, whether it be defence, midfield or attack.”

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