Following two defeats on the road and a horror run with injuries that saw the team drop from League leaders to third on the table, Perth Glory turned it all around in just 5 minutes at Marconi Stadium tonight.
It was the famous dynamic duo of Mori and Despotovski that were responsible for the turn around. They were the 2 that scored the goals although the introduction of Shroj for Mrdja after 61 minutes appeared to be the catalyst. That change allowed Despotovski to revert to his more accustomed role of striker and within 7 minutes of the change the Glory had scored and set up the at that stage unlikely victory.
After an even opening 25 minutes it was Marconi who took over control of the match and who pushed forward at every opportunity. In fact until Mori scored in the 68th minute, Glory did not have 1 attack in the second half. However this goes to show just how lethal a team they can be when on the counter attack, especially with Mori and Despotovski up front.
The game was played in perfect conditions on a great surface and Perth started off with Despotovski in midfield replacing the injured Pondeljak who was unable to travel. Partnering Mori up front was Mrdja for his first start since the opening match of the season. The big striker however never really got into the match although in all honesty the service from midfield was virtually non existent, and it was no surprise when he was replaced by Shroj, thus allowing Despotovski to move forward. Almost immediately service was improved and the Glory forward line clicked.
The opening chance of the match came after 12 minutes when Carle received a good ball from Maloney before playing Anabalon in but he was thwarted by the alert Petkovic.
Just 3 minutes later it was Glory's turn as Bingley made space in midfield before hitting a shot from 20 meters that squirmed away from Turnbill but wide for a corner.
The best chance of the first half came after 18 minutes when Despotovski split the Marconi defence with a through ball for Mori, however the normally cool striker appeared to rush and instead of attempting a one on one with the keeper fired just wide.
From that point on in the first half and indeed for the first 20 minutes of the second half Marconi took over possession wise and created a number of half chances.
In the 23rd minute Byrnes lost possession and Carle took advantage before finding Anabalon whose good shot was blocked by Petkovic before being cleared for a corner by the original villain Byrnes.
Just 2 minutes later Carle again wormed his way into the penalty area and his pass to Maloney just missed the mark.
The 2nd half started with the same pattern as the first ended and it was obvious Marconi were getting more frustrated as the game progressed. They failed to find the final penetrating ball and were to pay dearly for the wasted possession.
In the 68th minute an up until then quite Faria found the perfect diagonal ball to unlock an attempted off side trap by Marconi. Hassell got on the end of the ball before pulling it back to give Mori the simple task of scoring from 6 meters and to give Glory the lead.
From that moment on the Marconi heads dropped and were buried just 5 minutes later following superb work by North.
He first intercepted a pass just outside his own penalty area, before setting off on a run that included a one two with Mori as he found himself on the bye-line cutting back a great ball for Despotovski to finish clinically.
So in the space of those 5 minutes Perth killed off the brave challenge of Marconi.
This win leaves Glory just 1 point off the top of the table and a bye week upcoming. After that they play the struggling Melbourne knight before the long awaited opening of the Members Equity Stadium.