Perth Glory have fended off a late Newcastle Jets charge to run out 3-2 victors at NIB Stadium in Perth.
Two pieces of brilliance from Diego Castro ensured Perth had the buffer to see out the match, but a late flurry from Newcastle made for an interesting final 20 minutes in what was a fiercely contested match.
It was a high intensity first half and the Jets were the team to display the early enthusiasm.
Andrew Nabbout and Andrew Hoole both had early chances to put the visitors ahead and were critical in setting the tempo and attacking mindset for the Jets.
The Glory were equal to the challenge and nearly took the lead through Adam Taggart in the 11th minute.
Andy Keogh found the ex-Fulham waiting at the far post but the Glory number 22 could only smash his outstretched attempt across goal.
Perth didn’t have to wait long for another opening and took the lead through a Diego Castro penalty one minute later after a clumsy Nigel Boogaard tackle brought down the Spaniard in the box.
Newcastle continued to threaten and responded in the 37th minute. Andrew Nabbout’s trickery earned him a yard of space to play in a cross and Andrew Hoole obligingly connected for an old-fashioned centre forward’s header.
The scores were locked at 1-1 after 37 minutes.
Perth were good enough to respond before half time and it was Castro again to put his team ahead, bagging his second of the match.
The ex-Getafe man collected the ball alongside the left touchline, cut inside two defenders and smashed home at Jack Duncan’s near post to make it 2-1.
It would be the final piece of action for the half as Perth entered the locker-room with the advantage.
Perth continued their good form in the early stages of the second stanza and it was exiled-star and substitute Rhys Williams who provided the first attacking moment.
His long-range effort however didn’t trouble Duncan in the 56th minute.
Jets ‘keeper Duncan was picking the ball out of his net three minutes later, after Adam Taggart connected with a curling Josh Risdon cross to make it 3-1.
The Jets didn’t lie down, continuing to apply pressure and take the game to Perth.
Jason Hoffman took advantage of some slack Glory defending in the 70th minute, smashing home a long-range volley through the left hand of Perth ‘keeper Feely.
Hoffman had a chance to restore parity in the dying moments, dragging wide a clear-cut back post shot in the 88th minute.
It would prove to be the final guilt-edge opportunity for the Jets to salvage a result, and the Glory held on for a tight 3-2 victory.
Perth Glory 3 (Castro 13’, 42’, Taggart 59’)
Newcastle Jets 2 (Hoole 37’, Hoffman 72′)
Stadium: NIB Stadium
Referee: Jonathan Barreiro
Assistant Referees: Josh Mannella, Matthew Southern
Fourth Official: Ben Abraham
Perth Glory: 13. FEELY Liam (GK), 4. LOWRY Shane (5. WILLIAMS Rhys 37’), 6. DJULBIC Dino, 8. GRIFFITHS Rostyn, 9. KEOGH Andy, 14. HAROLD Chris (10. MARINKOVIC Nebojsa 72′), 15. WILSON Brandon, 16. MILLS Joseph, 17. CASTRO Diego, 19. RISDON Joshua, 22. TAGGART Adam (24. SMILJANIC Milan 89′)
Substitutes: 30. THURTELL Jordan (GK), 7. CHIANESE Joel
Newcastle Jets: 20. DUNCAN Jack, 2. MULLEN Daniel, 3. HOFFMAN Jason, 4. BOOGAARD Nigel, 7. HOOLE Andrew, 8. POLJAK Mateo, 15. NABBOUT Andrew, 18. LEI LEI Ma (10. BROWN Wayne 58’), 19. NOORDSTRAND Morten (12. SAWYER Harrison 70′), 22. JACKSON Lachlan, 28. KOUTROUMBIS John (23. CLUT Devante 83′)
Substitutes: 50. ARCABA Tomislav (GK), 16. COWBURN Nicholas
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