A rejuvenated Perth Glory have continued their improved form by ending the Western Sydney Wanderers’ seven-game A-League winning run in an exciting 2-2 draw at nib Stadium on Saturday night.
Glory appeared set for a third victory in a week when Mitch Oxborrow delivered his first A-League goal in style in the 60th minute.
However, the Wanderers secured the draw thanks to an 81st minute strike by Mitch Nichols to remain unbeaten in the last eight games and five points clear on top of the table.
Perth made the perfect start, with Diego Castro converting a penalty inside the first two minutes.
However, the Wanderers were threatening and drew level in the 20th minute thanks to a clinically precise corner set piece play.
The corner was taken by Dario Vidosic who went short to Nichols and then Scott Jamieson drove it into the box where Brendon Santalab was waiting to put home his second goal of the season.
It was the Wanderers who continued to press for another goal either side of halftime until Oxborrow joined the party.
The left-footer took a free-kick almost 30 metres from home and scorched the shot around the wall.
A diving Redmayne had no chance of stopping it finding the right corner.
Another well worked piece by Western Sydney where Romeo Castelen and Andreu set up Nichols, saw the game end with the 2-2 draw.
The Wanderers have a short turnaround before hosting the Newcastle Jets on Christmas Eve, while Glory take on a hungry Victory in Melbourne next Sunday.
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Paul
Guest
how much cynical tackling can a team do and not get issued a red. Perth parked their bus after getting a 50/50 call in their favour for the penalty. Popavic decided to rotate the squad with Pepper a poor replacement for Dimas. Maybe disappointed he hasn't been selected lately. Hopefully Piovaccari will be in the starting squad and inner raging bull will come out against the Jets next week. would like to see Josh McDonald or Lachlan Scott from the youth squad get a grip next week. Andreu getting his 5th yellow is a Godsend so will be available against the big teams coming up after Christmas.Dimas will have to take over from Andreu.
Brick Tamland of the pants party
Guest
Good result and to can't complain about getting 7 points from 9 especially playing the champions and the current leaders in a week. Both teams contributed to a great game, when we were up and running and positive in the first half it was some of the nicest football i've seen the Glory play. Both times we took the lead though the team sat deep and were looking to hit on the counter, understandably given our position in the league the side would want to protect the lead but maybe if the boys backed themselves a little more there were some more goals to be had. All in all in a defining week for the clubs ambitions this season Kenny and the players can hold their heads high, obviously any chances of bothering the leaders for the Premiers plate are gone but they are still a good shot to shake up the 6 which i didn't think was a possibility last week. Our imports are starting to fire and some young exciting local players are coming to the fore, throw the imminent return of Keogh in the mix and you have a dangerous team indeed.