Take a look at the key moments from the Isuzu UTE A-League encounter between Western Sydney Wanderers and Perth Glory.
Two goals from Aydan Hammond propelled Western Sydney into fourth place on the Isuzu UTE A-League ladder as the Wanderers comfortably defeated Perth Glory 4-1 at CommBank Stadium.
The visiting side almost conceded an early goal, but instead, they took the lead in the 5th minute. Striker Adam Taggart expertly directed Lachie Wales’ cross to make it 1-0.
Western Sydney quickly equalised in the 14th minute, with Hammond unleashing a stunning strike from the edge of the box, sending the ball soaring into the top corner of the net.
Hammond then added his second just before half-time, following up on Bozhidar Kraev’s close-range attempt that struck the crossbar and bounced back into play, allowing Hammond to slot it home from close range.
Perth Glory became their own worst enemy early in the second half, as a careless pass from goalkeeper Oli Sail was intercepted by the Wanderers. This allowed Oscar Priestman to score from inside the area. The Wanderers extended their lead shortly after, with Kraev finishing a slick move to make it 4-1.
This result sees Alen Stajcic’s men rise to fourth on the ladder, now only a point behind second-placed Western United.
For Perth, under the management of David Zdrilic, the team remains near the bottom of the table, having suffered their 13th defeat of the season.
Aiming for three consecutive victories, the Wanderers nearly grabbed an early lead within two minutes.
After outpacing his defender on the right, Brandon Borrello sidestepped yet another challenge inside the box before passing to Zac Sapsford, whose lacklustre shot was easily cleared off the line by Josh Risdon.
Despite this early scare, Perth quickly took control, thanks to their clinical centre forward.
Lachie Wales made a perfectly timed run down the left, reaching the byline before chipping the ball back to Taggart, who volleyed it through Thomas’s legs and into the back of the net.
However, the Wanderers responded quickly as Hammond delivered a moment of brilliance to restore parity at CommBank Stadium.
Collecting the ball just outside the Perth box after a corner, Hammond shifted to his right and struck a powerful shot that flew past Glory goalkeeper Oli Sail and into the roof of the net.
Looking to net his first goal in Perth colours, on-loan Sydney FC striker Patrick Wood tested the Wanderers’ goalkeeper, Thomas, with a shot from the edge of the box that required a solid save.
The Wanderers continued to press, eventually taking the lead in the 39th minute.
After being released down the right, Sapsford delivered a superb pass across goal to Kraev, whose effort hit the post and fell perfectly for Hammond to tap in, making it 2-1.
Perth came close to equalising just before half-time, but Risdon’s header from a well-executed corner was denied by a great save from Thomas, leaving the Wanderers ahead 2-1 at the break.
Starting brightly in the second half, Glory’s left-back Yuto Misao struck the woodwork twice in quick succession: first hitting the left post with a powerful shot, then repeating the effort in an identical move.
Though Perth appeared to be gaining momentum, they soon made a critical error. Sail’s risky pass was intercepted by Josh Brillante, who quickly found Priestman. One-on-one with the keeper, Priestman calmly slotted the ball home, extending the lead to 3-1.
Western Sydney nearly made it 4-1 soon after, as Hammond capitalised on the shaky Perth defence, but he couldn’t convert the loose ball, enabling Mrcela to clear it off the line.
The home side would soon find their fourth goal from the impressive Kraev.
Making a strong run down the right, Sapsford looked up and picked out the unmarked Kraev in the box, who did not miss, curling the ball beautifully into the bottom corner to seal the 4-1 victory.
January arrival Alex Gersbach nearly netted his first goal for Western Sydney, but his dipping half-volley struck the crossbar during stoppage time.
Compiled by SportArena.com.au.
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