After last weeks Œmishap¹ against Parramatta Power, the Glory had a few things to prove to their fans back home.
Since this was to be the only match at home this side of Christmas, a good display by the team against a creditable South Melbourne line-up was expected.
A reshuffle at the back saw Matt Bingley get a start at the expense of Srhoj. The only striking option on the bench was Caceras.
South Melbourne¹s game seemed to revolve around getting free-kicks for Boutsie from 40, and they had their first opportunity after only 3 minutes, however whilst Boutsie¹s shot was on target it was also straight into the safe hands of the guy with the cleanest sheets in Australia. Petkovic again made sure there were no stains when at the 20th minute mark Michael Panopoulos took the defense by surprise by letting lose from about 45 meters with a cracking shot that only an expert dive could divert.
Couple of minutes later Mori has his best chance of the match when Shaun Murphy manages to launch a defensive header from just past the half way line straight into his path, but the resultant strike was comical at best.
A corner for South Melbourne in the 45th minute saw Steve Laurie rise above the pack in the box and again a quick reflex dive to the left by Petkovic kept the Glory on track.
The Glory needed to pick up the pace a bit if they wanted to beat the rescue helicopter during the half-time break for entertainment value, and they did just that. Well, they gradually built up to it, anywayŠ
Around the 58th minute Bobby pulled a little forward chip which was nicely held-up by Hassell who placed it back at Bobby¹s feet as he ran at goal, the strike just tipped away by the outstretched foot of an inform Galekovic.
Never mind though, 2 minutes later , with Pondeljak about to put away a well deserved goal, Stergiopoulos handles the ball in the box and sets up a penalty for Glory. Bobby steps up, and sends the keeper the wrong way. Glory up 1-0, 62nd minute.
From here on in, Glory appeared to get a spring in their step and the football became much more entertaining. Glory were now dominating but South had by no means given up.
Their attacks had been restricted to counters by now though, with a couple of great breaks down the left by Max Lowy, but falling short in the finishing department.
Glory were the more threatening in the latter stages but also failed to capitalize.
Brad Hassell pulled one wide across goal from a Bobby pass at ¹75 and then Caceras faltered in front of goal after receiving a cross from Bobby in the 86th. The ball actually rebound from the keeper into the path of Pondeljak but alas, he blasts it over the bar.
So that was that, on a hot Sunday arvo on a fly-infested footy oval in Joondalup, but for the Glory Fans, it was good to see the team again and it was good to see the team win.
Glory had won at home and some confidence was restored in the backline.
And last but not least, Congratulations to Jason Petkovic on a record 105 clean sheets!