Jets v Glory

A-League report by Robert Szomolnoki
Newcatle United Jets v Perth Glory


Its been 18 games and 12 months but Perth Glory have finally won a A-League game and how ! Scoring four fine goals at rain soaked Newcastle to give David Mitchell a first up win., this sent the Jets hopes of going to the top of the table crashing down.

It was the Jets who commenced the quicker in pouring rain with a Elrich cross finding Bridge who from close range fires over the cross bar. Moments later a lovely 1-2 has Griffiths clear and firing a shot just wide of the upright. Then a Laybutt through ball has Tunbridge touching the ball past Velaphi but is centimetres wide.

On 18 mins a Colosimo free kick is blocked by the defence the ball falls to Harnwell who smashs the rebound but Covic saves, Rukavytsya is following up to tap in but Covic is able to get to the ball first . A minute later the Jets respond with Griffiths finding North he finds Tunbridge in front of goal, but he blasts his shot over the cross bar.

Perth go ahead in the 25th min through a mix up between Laybutt and Durante the ball falls to Rukavytsya, he is in on goal and rounds Covic, Durante gets his foot to the ball but sends it into his own goal, 1-0 Perth Glory.

On 33 mins a Elrich free kick finds Durante the ball is in the back of the net, but Durante has fouled the goal keeper.

The Jets passing is looking good but it's the final pass being stopped by the Glory defence that is holding them out. Perth are looking effective particularly with Harnwell in defence for the first time this season.

The first half ends with two great opportunities for Perth - Colosimo robs Kohler he sets up Robinson but he fires wide. Then a Rukavytsya flick has Robinson taping the ball past Covic he has a open goal to aim at but misses, much to the relief of the home crowd, this is the miss of the season so far. Robinson is replaced at half time.

The second half commences (and the rain has stopped) Covic long throw finds Elrich, he finds D'Apuzzo his super pass has Griffiths away on goal, he calmly hits it past the advancing goal keeper its 1-1.

Perth Glory respond with a brilliant Bertos 25 meter run down the left side, he finds Rukavytsya his shoot is blocked by Covic, the ball is deflected to Jordan Simpson who fires home from close range, its now 2-1 Perth Glory.

The Jets continue to try to pull a goal back and the home crowd is getting frustrated, on 56 mins Elrich's cross finds Jardel but his header is wide of the upright, then a Griffiths back heel has Elrich through on goal but his low shot is wide of the far upright.

Perth wrap up the game in the 63rd min when from a corner Bertos finds Jordan Simpson who nods on to Rukavytsya who fires in from close range, its 3-1 Perth Glory, the look of delight on all Glory players.

The Jets try to respond, they have never won a game coming from behind, a Griffiths free kick finds Jardel but he misques his header at the far post. Then a Jets corner is cleared to Laybutt his 25 meter effort is saved by Velaphi.

But its Glory's night. A beautiful set of passes in the 79th min ends with a Jordan Simpson effort touched around the post by Covic.

The night ends with a 50 metre run dribble by Downey he finds Rukavytsya who fires home from the edge of the penalty area, its 4-1 Perth Glory.