After 2 Consecutive losses on the road, Perth Glory have broken the drought with a great away win against the Marconi Stallions.
http://www.thewest.com.au/20031211/sport/soccer/tw-sport-soccer-home-sto116913.html
Old firm gets Glory home
SYDNEY
NATIONAL Soccer League champion Perth Glory arrested a worrying sequence of results last night with a 2-0 win over a luckless Marconi Stallions at Marconi Stadium.
After losses to Wollongong Wolves and Newcastle United in its two previous matches, the Glory got the win it needed but only after Marconi had failed to make use of a greater share of possession.
Second-half goals from the familiar figures of Damian Mori and Bobby Despotovski lifted the Glory to be just a point adrift of the top of the table.
South Melbourne took over the lead with a 4-2 win over Sydney Olympic at Bob Jane Stadium, but only goal difference separates it from second-placed Parramatta Power, which had a bye last night.
Glory coach Mich d'Avray admitted his side had been slow to come to terms with Marconi but was rewarded for its perseverance and determination.
"We took a long time to get going but once we upped the tempo we got a bit better," he said. "I'm delighted with the win. The boys stuck to the task, dug in and were rewarded for it.
"Sometimes you win by playing well and playing attractive football, and other times you win by digging in. Tonight was a credit to the players."
After a poor first half, the old firm of Mori and Despotovski made the game's most telling contributions with the goals that sunk the Stallions. A Gary Faria cross from the left set the scene for the Glory's opener after 69 minutes, striker Mori on the spot after a touch from Brad Hassell.
Defender Jade North earned the kudos for the clincher six minutes later. He swept down the right and fired in a pinpoint cross to Despotovski, who headed in from close range.
Marconi had by far the better of the first half, troubling the WA side with long balls and a willing, if undermanned, attack.
But without the suspended duo of Jeromy Harris and Joe Spiteri, Marconi lacked the firepower to make better use of the ball.
Nick Carle had a handful of half chances but was unable to convert.
The Glory's only real opportunity of the half came in the 18th minute when Despotovski and Mori combined - almost to perfection.
A long ball from Despotovski found his one-time strike partner but Mori's weak shot went wide, with keeper Michael Turnbull off his line.
The chances dried up for the home side in the second period and the Glory's quality prevailed.
Perth's defeats against Newcastle and Wollongong were partly blamed on injuries and a gruelling schedule of away games.
Of its 11 matches, the Glory has played nine away from home and the effects of flying east every week has been a heavy burden.
But last night's win has restored the team's confidence heading into a long sequence of games at a refurbished Members Equity Stadium, formerly Perth Oval.
The Glory has a bye this weekend.
December 11, 2003
http://www.thewest.com.au/20031211/sport/soccer/tw-sport-soccer-home-sto116913.html
Old firm gets Glory home
SYDNEY
NATIONAL Soccer League champion Perth Glory arrested a worrying sequence of results last night with a 2-0 win over a luckless Marconi Stallions at Marconi Stadium.
After losses to Wollongong Wolves and Newcastle United in its two previous matches, the Glory got the win it needed but only after Marconi had failed to make use of a greater share of possession.
Second-half goals from the familiar figures of Damian Mori and Bobby Despotovski lifted the Glory to be just a point adrift of the top of the table.
South Melbourne took over the lead with a 4-2 win over Sydney Olympic at Bob Jane Stadium, but only goal difference separates it from second-placed Parramatta Power, which had a bye last night.
Glory coach Mich d'Avray admitted his side had been slow to come to terms with Marconi but was rewarded for its perseverance and determination.
"We took a long time to get going but once we upped the tempo we got a bit better," he said. "I'm delighted with the win. The boys stuck to the task, dug in and were rewarded for it.
"Sometimes you win by playing well and playing attractive football, and other times you win by digging in. Tonight was a credit to the players."
After a poor first half, the old firm of Mori and Despotovski made the game's most telling contributions with the goals that sunk the Stallions. A Gary Faria cross from the left set the scene for the Glory's opener after 69 minutes, striker Mori on the spot after a touch from Brad Hassell.
Defender Jade North earned the kudos for the clincher six minutes later. He swept down the right and fired in a pinpoint cross to Despotovski, who headed in from close range.
Marconi had by far the better of the first half, troubling the WA side with long balls and a willing, if undermanned, attack.
But without the suspended duo of Jeromy Harris and Joe Spiteri, Marconi lacked the firepower to make better use of the ball.
Nick Carle had a handful of half chances but was unable to convert.
The Glory's only real opportunity of the half came in the 18th minute when Despotovski and Mori combined - almost to perfection.
A long ball from Despotovski found his one-time strike partner but Mori's weak shot went wide, with keeper Michael Turnbull off his line.
The chances dried up for the home side in the second period and the Glory's quality prevailed.
Perth's defeats against Newcastle and Wollongong were partly blamed on injuries and a gruelling schedule of away games.
Of its 11 matches, the Glory has played nine away from home and the effects of flying east every week has been a heavy burden.
But last night's win has restored the team's confidence heading into a long sequence of games at a refurbished Members Equity Stadium, formerly Perth Oval.
The Glory has a bye this weekend.
December 11, 2003
