Glory v Knights

A-League report by Eamon Duffy
Perth Glory v New Zealand Knights


A crowd of 9667 at the MES witnessed an easy victory for Perth Glory against a very poor New Zealand Knights side.

The goals were all of a high standard but in reality the Knights failed to really test Glory, who as a result of the victory will share the lead at the top of the A-League table.

The game started with some scrappy feeling out before Ward had a header just over the bar in the 9th minute.

However just 2 minutes later the home side grabbed the lead with a real counter attacking goal. The knights had won a throw in on the right side near the Glory penalty area. From the throw in the headed clearance was volleyed towards the Glory goal, only to be blocked by the defence. The ball was then carried over the half way line by Celeski who played a smart ball to Colosimo who was backing him up. Without hesitation Colosimo swept the ball into the path of Despotovski who made no mistake from 15 metres, threading the ball through the legs of the Knights keeper Milosevic.

The crowd thought Glory had added to their lead just 7 minutes later when Mori tucked a Despotovski pass into the net, but the flag was up for an obvious off side against Mori.

However the wait for the 2nd was short and in the 24th minute a great run by Celeski was followed with an inch perfect pass to Despotovski, who in turn showed great vision in laying the ball back to the oncoming Sekulovski who made no mistake from the edge of the box.

After this the first half petered out as Glory appeared content to sit on the lead and never really threatened again. Likewise the Knights were totally lacking in attacking ideas or for that matter any real football ideas.

The introduction of Caceres in the early stages of the 2nd half seemed to lift the Glory out of their mediocrity and he was only on the ground for 1 minute when he tested Milosevic with a stinging shot after 59 minutes.

Young midfielder Ward then had a chance just 2 minutes later when his goal bound shot was blocked by the Knights defence.

In the 66th minute it was Caceres again who ran in from the right but fired high over the bar.

The clinching goal came in the 69th minute when Colosimo played a great ball down the right for Mori to chase. He superbly Tambouras and pulled the ball back into the path of Nick Ward who calmly finished it to make the score 3-0.

From there to the end of the match was just a stream of Glory chances and another off side goal. Caceres had a shot in the 73rd minute following a knock on by Despotovski superbly blocked by Milosevic for a corner.

In the 76th minute a free kick by Colosimo was passed to Despotovski, who in turn found Caceres who finished off with a ball to the net, however the flag was up for off side.

A minute later it was Sekulovski who hit the side netting from a very tight angle. In the 84th minute Caceres took the ball from just inside the Knights half, beat 3 defenders with a jinking run, only to push the ball just past the post and wide.

In the last minute of the game Glory had 2 further chances when first Mori played in Caceres with a brilliant through ball, but again Milosevic saved, and then in the 90th minute Colosimo found Mori, who made space in the box but fired just over the bar.

Thankfully for the Knights the referee blew the final whistle before they had to soak up any more pressure.

So after a run of 4 matches without defeat, Glory find themselves, at least for 2 days at the top of the A-League, just behind Sydney on goal difference.