Adelaide 2–1 Central Coast Mariners
A George Blackwood stoppage time winner ensured Adelaide United escaped with a win at home against a gallant Central Coast Mariners.
The new-found confidence within the Mariners was evident early as they refused to yield when travelling to Hindmarsh Stadium, shocking the hosts when they were first to score.
Though it would be remiss to mention Kye Rowles’ acrobatic goal line clearance, denying a Craig Goodwin attempt which had beaten goalkeeper Ben Kennedy and flying at chest height, Rowles came to rescue.
This acted as the catalyst to the Mariners’ first wave of attack which led to an effort from Andrew Hoole which struck the cobwebs in the top corner of the net to give the Mariners the lead. Hoole’s goal beaten only by Ola Toivonen’s for the goal of the round.
It was only fitting captain and club legend Isaias would get Adelaide United back into the game after a near unbeatable 60 minutes from Ben Kennedy.
Isaias found composure in a congested penalty area to finesse his side back into the game.
Thankfully for the Mariners, Kennedy put the goal he conceded behind him as he continued to keep the Reds out with a number of important saves.
The Mariners shot stopper made eight in total, including six inside the box.
But as the match drew to a close Adelaide United continued to press until eventually finding a winner deep into stoppage time.
Substitute George Blackwood finishing an impressive bit of work from Scott Galloway to set up the striker for the winner.
Perth Glory 2–0 Newcastle Jets
For anyone thinking this Perth Glory side was vulnerable after being held scoreless for two consecutive weeks, you would be mistaken.
It did not take long for the Glory to end this mini-drought as Neil Kilkenny played Diego Castro with a ball strikers only dream of receiving, before the captain set up Andy Keogh for the simplest of goals.
While the Jets did well to create chances of their own, they were unable to effectively break through Perth’s defence.
The Glory doubled their lead soon after half time with Neil Kilkenny scoring a goal equally impressive to his earlier assist.
Kilkenny found the top right corner from just outside the box to make the task all the more difficult for the visitors, especially in the heat.
The 33-year-old rightly so named man of the match after a clinical performance which sees the Glory extend their lead on top of the table to four points.
The loss for the Jets meanwhile has them sitting eleven points behind the Wellington Phoenix in sixth position.
Newcastle travel to Sydney to face the Western Sydney Wanderers while the Glory host the Wellington Phoenix in next weekend’s match of the round.
