Djite injury blessing in disguise for Adelaide United

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A groin injury to Bruce Djite has gifted Jeronimo Neumann the perfect stage to showcase his predatory talent, scoring a double in Adelaide United’s 3-2 win over the Glory.

Djite, 25, hobbled off the pitch in the second minute after pulling up short to a Dario Vidosic through-ball. The loss didn’t hurt United however as super-sub Jeronimo caused all sorts of headaches for Perth coach Ian Ferguson.

A defensive lapse from former Red Scott Jamieson gifted United the lead in the 29th minute to the delight of the home crowd. Golec’s long-bomb from the back was brought down well by Vidosic before Jamieson came to intercept. The left-back’s mis-hit clearance fell perfectly for Jeronimo who scored what is likely to be the easiest goal of his career.

The Argentine put away his second of the night in the 37th minute after Dario Vidosic cut the Perth defence open. The playmaker’s pass put Jeronimo in-on goal who made no mistake, a deft shot on his left-foot sliding the ball into the back of the net to leave Vukovic stranded.

The Reds charged out of the blocks in the second half with Iain Ramsay needing less than a minute to pull something special out of the top drawer. Vidosic’s corner was headed to the edge of the box where Ramsay was lurking, hitting a first-time half-volley which flew into the top corner.

Perth pulled two goals back in the dying stages after referee Peter Green awarded a penalty to the visitors before a McGarry strike in injury time put the Glory just a goal down.

The win puts United just one point away from the first-placed Mariners who face the Victory on Saturday night.

Goal(s): Jeronimo 29’ (1-0), Jeronimo 37’ (2-0), Ramsay 47’ (3-0), Smeltz 89′ (3-1), McGarry 90+ (3-2)

Adelaide Starting XI: Galekovic (C) (GK), Fyfe, Cassio, Vidosic, Djite, Golec, Watson, Bowles, Ramsay, Barbiero, Kostopolous.

Subs: Malik, Izzo (GK), Neumann, Mabil.

Perth Starting XI: Vukovic (GK), Van den Brink, Pantelidis, Burns (C), Heffernan, Smeltz, Miller, Nagai, Dodd, McGarry, Jamieson.

Subs: Ward, O’Neill, Makarounas, Italiano (GK).

Crowd: 10,129
Referee: Peter Green

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