Glory v Knights

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


In front of 7,309 fans at Member Equity Stadium last night a 37th minute strike by in form Glory striker Stuart Young was the difference between the sides.

The NZ Knights performed admirably after the longest trip in domestic football and in fact put a lot of pressure on their more fancied rivals in the 2nd half.

The first chance of the match came in the 2nd minute when Despotovski fired a superb strike from 30 meters that was brilliantly tipped around the post by Turnbull for a corner.

Within another 2 minutes it was Buari from the Knights who had a chance after a fine set up by Gemmill but his shot was high and over the bar.

After 25 minutes an attempted chip by Colosimo to find Despotovski in the box was flicked by Bazeley with his head, the ball looped over Turnbull and hit the post, much to the relief of the Knights keeper.

In the 35th minute Despotovski missed a gilt edged chance when a free from the right by Bertos made its way to the striker at the far post, but he scooped the ball over the bar from 5 meters range.

Within the minute though Glory were ahead and it was Young who showed how to finish. However just before the goal Despotovski clearly fouled Van Eijs to win the ball, Bertos took it on, passed it back to Despotovski who shaped to cross with his right foot but pulled the ball back and with his left hit a pin point cross for Young, who superbly headed in off the right hand post to give Turnbull no chance.

In the 43rd minute it should have been 2 as Sekulovski went on a run into the Knights box, he played a one two with Saric, but had his shot saved by Turnbull at the expense of a corner.

Just on the stroke of half time Coyne sent in a great cross that was poorly punched clear by Turnbull, the ball fell to Sekulovski on the edge of the area, he pulled his shot across the goals and Despotovski fired it into the net. The joy was short lived though as Assistant Referee Cheeseman got it right by raising his flag for off side against the Glory striker.

The 2nd half was just a 2 minutes old when Glory and their fans thought they had a penalty. Stuart Young played a great ball through to Despotovski who raced into the area and was clearly brought down by Simon Kovacevic. How the referee missed it remains a mystery.

After that scare the Knights raised their game and took it to Glory.

In the 50th minute Devine had a chance following good interchange on the edge of the Glory area but he shot wide.

Three minutes later after Colosimo got booked needlessly for back chatting the referee the Knight nearly had the equaliser as a free kick from 25 meters by Johnson was brilliantly tipped around the post by Petkovic.

In the 89th minute a corner for the Knights, played into the Glory area, rebounded off Glory defender Harnwell, but thankfully for the home side Colosimo was able to clear off the line.

In the first minute of added time Colosimo burst onto a through ball, out stripped the defence, before firing in a shot that was parried by Turnbull, into the path of Despotovski, but he fired over the bar.

So Glory held on against the visitors and picked up back to back wins to keep right in touch with the top 4.

Next week the Knights travel again, this time to face the Jets in Newcastle, while Glory will celebrate the 10th Anniversary of their 1st competitive match with a home game against the Queensland Roar.

After tonight's game the Knights can feel that their next win is not too far away, while Glory will surely have to improve to test the Roar.