Shane Smeltz scored a double to rocket the Perth Glory to equal top spot on the ladder with a 2-1 victory over the Melbourne Heart. The Heart looked dangerous at times in the first half but in the second half had no real chances. The home fans were silenced and didn't have much to cheer about. Perth Glory controlled the tempo of the match, having the majority of the possession, especially in the second half.
The match winner came in the 67th minute after a shocking back pass from Matt Thompson allowed Shane Smeltz to run into the penalty box, beating the young Centre Back Curtis Good and spearing a right foot shot to the top right corner of the goal.
The Glory's first goal in the 34th minute occurred after a lovely pass from Liam Miller on the right hand side found Shane Smeltz at the far post with pinpoint accuracy beating his marker Matt Thompson. Rookie Goalkeeper Nikola Roganovic was unable to cover the necessary ground.
After the goal was scored, Heart captain Fred came off the field and went straight down the tunnel with a trainer. Coach van't Schip reports that he we will have to see if Fred will be ready for next week's Derby with the Victory.
Straight from the resumption of play, the Heart went on the attack with Mate Dugandzic finding space down the right. He put the ball into the mix and beat Chris Coyne. Alex Terra than decided to put on a Cirque de Soleil performance but the shot went wide.
David Williams equalised in the 45th minute from the penalty spot to level the scores going into halftime. Williams shot was low and to the right, Vukovic was unlucky not to make the save, missing the ball by centimetres. The penalty came about after Chris Coyne was found to have held Maycon's jersey in the penalty box while contesting for the ball.
Just before halftime, the Heart had a genuine chance to take the lead through Alex Terra but the shot went wide.
The Heart now has a task ahead of them with the local derby next week with cross-town rival Melbourne Victory. They will take in a very young and inexperienced side facing a seasoned Victory side hungry for goals after two disappointing performances in the first two rounds.