Perth Glory beat wasteful Wellington
ABC
Perth Glory have compounded the Phoenix’s scoring woes, making the most of their limited chances in battling to a 1-0 A-League win in Wellington.
Chris Harold’s first-half header has been enough to extend the Glory’s unbeaten streak to four games and keep them within reach of the play-offs while Wellington have gone nine games without a win.
Wellington worked hard on Sunday, but their finishing continued to be woeful.
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They have managed only six goals in their past nine matches and remain mired in eighth place, six points astray of seventh-placed Perth.
Neither side could manage any early dominance, although the Phoenix came close in one brief foray as the 15-minute mark neared.
Manny Muscat, shifted up into a defensive midfield role, released Joel Stevens down the right and the 20-year-old striker’s well-struck shot forced an excellent reflex save from Glory keeper Ante Covic.
Barely five minutes later, Perth hit the front, Nebojsa Marinkovic’s tantalising free-kick setting up an unmarked Harold’s powerful header home for his fourth goal in as many games.
Perth nearly manufactured a replica strike from a free-kick after 33 minutes but, this time, Gyorgy Sandor’s header home was flagged offside.
The Phoenix ended the first spell strongly and looked particularly dangerous when they shifted the ball wide, Stevens and Michael McGlinchey both stretching Perth’s scrambling defence.
But it was the Glory who created the most chances after the restart, Marinkovic proving particularly problematic for Phoenix keeper Glen Moss with some drifting, curling shots on goal.
Former Hungarian international Kristian Vadocz also proved a handful in his first start for Perth, while returning striker Andy Keogh was unlucky not to double the lead close to the hour mark.
Moss did well to block a one-on-one chance with the Irishman, and Keogh’s second strike hammered back off the upright.
Perth coach Kenny Lowe upped his firepower after 75 minutes, bringing on Spanish marquee Diego Castro, while Wellington introduced Matt Ridenton and Kwabena Appiah to bolster their front line.
Perth’s back four were kept busy as Wellington continued to create chances but, with the finishing touches conspicuously absent, the Glory held on for an invaluable away win.