Perth continued their impressive start to the A-League season with a 1-0 victory over the Central Coast and coach Kenny Lowe says it’s scary how much better they can get.
The Glory, who in nine previous campaigns have never managed a regular-season victory at Central Coast Stadium, finally broke their hoodoo in Gosford on Sunday courtesy of a brilliant free-kick from Nebojsa Marinkovic.
The Serbian forward’s 43rd minute strike gave Glory a rare ride to the top of the table, but compounded the Mariners’ woes.
For the first time in their history Central Coast have lost three out of their first four games and remain in unfamiliar territory in the bottom half of the ladder.
Lowe was full of praise for his team and said in a boon for their fans his team will only get better.
“There’s a hell of a lot of improvement. Which is scary really,” he said.
“After 27 games and when I’ve got the thing in my hand and (owner) Tony (Sage) gives me a big fat bonus, that’s when I go ‘happy Larry’.
“It’s early days for us. We’re a new squad, new coaches.
“But one thing we’ve got at the club is everyone’s hungry. Everyone’s in it for each other.
“So hopefully we can maximise that and have a decent year.”
The Mariners showed signs of promise but Marinkovic’s free kick ensured they conceded three straight goals from set pieces after their 2-0 loss to Sydney last week.
Coach Phil Moss however remained confident his side could turn things around.
“I’m disappointed to give the set piece away but you can’t take anything away from that strike,” he said.
“I don’t think you can set up anything differently to save a free-kick like that. It was a great strike.
“But we’ll be fine. We’ve just got to keep playing the football we want to play.
“If today’s first half is anything to go by, the results will start to come.”
The Mariners had their chance in the 39th minute but Perth keeper Danny Vukovic came to Glory’s rescue with a double save, blocking a long-range strike from Anthony Caceras with striker Mitchell Duke leaping on to the rebound, only to also be denied by the gloveman.
Moments later Mariners skipper John Hutchinson was made to pay for his foul on Mitch Nichols with Marinkovic stepping up to slot his superb free-kick into the top corner and put the visitors 1-0 up just before the break.
The Mariners looked like equalising in the 73rd minute when Glen Trifiro played the ball back to Duke who shot from point-blank range, forcing another quick-fire save from Vukovic.
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