Glory edge out Jets
08/21/2010 08:19:01 AM
Perth Glory have moved back to the top of the A-League ladder with a 1-0 win over the Newcastle Jets at nib Stadium on Saturday afternoon thanks to a Branko Jelic strike on the stroke of half time.
Jelic had only been on the field seven minutes after a first-half injury to Mile Sterjovski saw the Serbian striker introduced.
But he showed off a true poacher's instincts just before the break when he completed the Glory's best move of a lacklustre opening, as Adriano Pellegrino's cross from the right was hammered in towards goal by a Todd Howarth volley.
Jets stopper Ben Kennedy did well to punch Howarth's effort away but the ball ricocheted straight into Jelic's chest and back into goal.
The Glory produced a hatful of chances to go further ahead in the second half but could not convert any, allowing the Jets to produce a couple of late raids, with Jeremy Brockie shooting wide with the goal at his mercy.
The result was league leader Perth's second win of the season as they continue their best start to a Hyundai A-League season, while the unfortunate Jets still haven't managed a victory so far.
Newcastle had a good chance in the 41st minute when a Marko Jesic free kick from just outside the box struck the crossbar, but it was their only real chance of note until Brockie's struck his 88th-minute effort wide.
Perth Glory 1 (Jelic 45)
Newcastle Jets 0
Crowd: 12,031 at nib Stadium, Perth