Perth Glory celebrated their 10th anniversary of their first home game today, and while the day started brightly it finished as another dark day, thanks in no small part to the performance of referee Ben Williams.
How a so called first rate referee can miss blatant hand ball decisions that basically Stevie Wonder would have seen is beyond belief. But miss them he did and in the process handed the Roar the 3 points.
In saying all that all the blame for the Glory defeat cannot remain at Mr. Williams feet, as the team themselves and keeper Petkovic should shoulder some of the responsibility.
They had got off to a dream start when after just 30 seconds a speculative shot by Despotovski was spilt by Willis in the roar goal, straight to Young who promptly despatched his 5th goal of the season. Considering that none of his goals have been from penalties it is a very good feat for a player who was discarded by both of last seasons Glory coaches.
After that start Glory appeared to make a decision that they would be able to defend for the remaining 89 minutes as they surrended possession to the Roar. Of course it did not take the visitors long to seize on this and in just the 14th minute, Milicic once more proved just why the Glory fans dislike him as he superbly turned Coyne inside out before placing the ball beyond the helpless and hapless Petkovic for the equaliser.
The same player soon had a chance to give Roar the lead but inexplicably missed from 6 yards when to score would have been easier. Again Petkovic was statue like from the corner and after Colosimo cleared off the line the Roar striker fired wide.
Just 2 minutes from half time Colosimo made a great run from his own half, played the ball to Young, who in turn played it to Despotovski, his back heel found Colosimo who continued to run and his shot was parried by Willis, and just before Despotovski could pounce McCloughan hammered it over the bar for a corner.
After having a strong appeal for a penalty turned down after just 90 seconds of the 2nd half, Glory fell behind thanks to a smart Roar goal by Vidosic. Milicic was again involved as he played the ball to Reinaldo, the Brazilian then turned the ball into the area and Vidosic met it with a not too hard shot, that keeper Petkovic failed to hold and the ball slowly made its way into the corner of the net.
After 63 minutes Glory nearly had the equaliser when after Colosimo was taken down, Despotovski hit a great free kick that was brilliantly saved by Willis.
In the 73rd minute came probably the worst decision at the MES this season when Packer clearly controlled the ball with his hand, in full view of Williams it must be said, but the referee waved away the claims.
Simon Lynch had a chance in later to round off the result for Roar but fired wide with only Petkovic to beat.
In the 78th minute a speculative shot by Hyuk-Su Seo from 35 meters left Petkovic once more stranded and rooted to the spot, but luckily for Glory the ball came back off the bar.
So the big Anniversary finished with Roar stealing the points and cementing their place in the top 4 , while Glory who now face 4 games away from home, slip off the pace.
A question that must be asked is why they signed Paul Pezos on a four week contact and then fail to not only play him but not even have him on the substitute bench. Also after this performance the tenure of Petkovic in goals must now be in serious doubt as the young keeper Vrteski keeps knocking on the door.