It was a busy game early as Wellington Phoenix defeated Perth Glory 2-1 to claim their first win of the 2015-16 A-League season.
Gyorgy Sandor scored Perth’s first and only goal in the seventh minute, before the Phoenix repsonded with a goal through Roy Krishna just two minutes later.
However, Wellington’s Vince Lia scored a second goal for the side in the 89th minute, giving them the win.
Final Score:
Perth Glory 1
Wellington Phoenix 2
We head to Perth for the final game in the second week of the 2015-16 A-League season and with both sides will be looking to earn their first points of the season after losing during the opening weekend. Join The Roar from 7.00pm (AEDT) for live scores, updates and debate in our live blog.
Last week Glory were outplayed by this season’s wooden spoon favourites, the Mariners, and Wellington were beaten by a 10-man Jets outfit at the Cake Tin.
With the shadow of last year’s salary cap breach still hanging over the Glory, Kenny Lowe’s men will be looking to give the home fans something to cheer about in their first outing at NIB Stadium.
Lowe has had to rebuild his squad and newcomers Diego Castro, Gyorgy Sandor and Guyon Fernandez showed glimpses they may just fill the void of departed stars Andy Keogh and Jamie McLaren.
With the support of Castro, Sandor and Fernandez, Perth will be looking to capture the same form that has seen them score in 16 of their last 17 matches played at home in the A-League and they’ll have plenty of support from young speedster, Chris Harold.
Harold conceded during the week he needs to repay the Perth faithful, telling reporters, “It’s probably about time I stepped up and cemented myself in the starting eleven every week. I want to be creating and scoring more goals… I think I have the capability to do that.”
Goals weren’t a concern for Nix coach Ernie Merrick last season but he’ll need his front men to step up following the departure of Socceroo Nathan Burns during the off-season.
Roy Krishna looked the man most likely last week but he failed to convert from the spot and Blake Powell looked a step off the pace in his A-League return. However, Merrick will likely give the duo another week to find their feet following news during the week he’s signed young Australian defender Dylan Fox.
History suggests there will be goals in this one with neither side maintaining a clean sheet in their last seven league encounters.
The punters have backed the Glory in as favourites for this one and I can’t see the visitors upsetting Lowe’s men this week as they search for their first three points of the season.
It may only be the second round, but both sides will be eager to break their points duck and earn bragging rights in the first leg of the Long Distance Derby when they meet in Perth to close out the second week of the A-League.
Join The Roar from 7.00pm (AEDT) for live scores, updates and debate in our live blog.
hog
Guest
YEAH BABY, GO Nix
Matthew Boulden
Roar Guru
Definitely got to play better than that if we want to progress in the FFA Cup midweek and achieve something in the league. Wasn't pretty all all.
billyelliott
Roar Guru
And the fat lady is singing in the rain in Perth. The Nix deserved winners at NIB Stadium as Perth were left chasing shadows most of the afternoon. For the Glory, they finish with 10 men after Garcia cops his second yellow card trying to recover an ill-weighted pass from Golec. Wellington, well too often Bonevacia and McGlinchey were given too much space and time to dictate play and that was the difference at the end of the day. Final score Perth 1 Wellington 2
billyelliott
Roar Guru
90+3' Appiah drives forward but he doesn't get his head up and a chance to seal it goes begging. Glory 1 2 Nix
billyelliott
Roar Guru
90+1' into the first of four added minutes. Castro earns himself a yellow for kicking the ball away. Not what the Glory need at all. Glory 1 2 Nix
billyelliott
Roar Guru
Don't think Golec will be a popular player at training this week.
billyelliott
Roar Guru
No less than what Wellington deserve and now they look certain to record the first three points of the season 11 campaign. Glory 1 2 Nix
billyelliott
Roar Guru
88' Golec with another mistake, giving it away in yet another dangerous position which results in a Wellington corner. He's been a bit behind all afternoon the former Wanderer. McGlinchey delivers the corner and Vince Lia is on the end of it to steer it past Ante Covic. Glory 1 2 Nix
billyelliott
Roar Guru
87' Drama as Risdon goes down in the box, but the referee is non-plussed and points to the corner for Perth. Glory 1 1 Nix
billyelliott
Roar Guru
85' Nix with a free kick it's off the post and Sigmund taps home but the Nix captain is offside. Glory with a good line in that instance. Final change for Wellington. Appiah comes on. Glory 1 1 Nix
billyelliott
Roar Guru
84' Golec with a terrible pass which results in a horrendous challenge by Garcia and the Glory captain gets his second yellow and is sent off. Six minutes with 10 men. Can the men in Purple hold on? They've been the second best team all night. Glory 1 1 Nix
billyelliott
Roar Guru
82' Glory looking to make another change. Gligor being briefed by Lowe as Thwaite gets some blood cleared up. Harold is the man to make way for the former Sydney FC player Hagi Gligor. Glory 1 1 Nix
billyelliott
Roar Guru
81' Harold tries his luck but his shot is hit high and does not trouble Moss in the Nix goal. Glory 1 1 Nix
billyelliott
Roar Guru
80' For all the action in the first 20 minutes, this game has certainly died a slow death. Glory 1 1 Nix
billyelliott
Roar Guru
76' Moss with a great save that included cleaning up Lia in the process. Second change for the Nix. Krishna replaced by Rodriguez. Glory 1 1 Nix
billyelliott
Roar Guru
71' The difference between these two sides today has been the midfield. Glory are playing without one and the Phoenix are being steered around the park by McGlinchey and Bonevacia with Lia doing a stellar job anchoring the diamond. Glory 1 1 Nix
billyelliott
Roar Guru
70' Free kick for the Glory. Oxborrow delivers ... Moss the only one attacking the ball and the Nix are away. Glory 1 1 Nix
billyelliott
Roar Guru
67' Djulibic with a crucial tackle to stop Krishna in his tracks. Glory 1 1 Nix
billyelliott
Roar Guru
65' Time for Lowe to go to his bench. Sciola offers much more than Fernandez. Indeed, it is Fernandez replaced by Sciola. Glory 1 1 Nix
billyelliott
Roar Guru
63' Corner for the Nix. Bonevacia delivers deep and Golec can see that over the byline and the Glory can restart with a goal kick. Glory 1 1 Nix