Mark Bridge’s first goal of the season handed a courageous Sydney FC a 1-0 win over Perth in Perth to help the Sky Blues move to second place on the Hyundai A-League ladder.
Mark Bridge-s first goal of the season handed a courageous Sydney FC a 1-0 win over Perth in Perth to help the Sky Blues move to second place on the Hyundai A-League ladder.
Bridge-s strike in the shadows of half time was the difference between the two teams on the scoreboard but it was the performance of Liam Reddy and resolute Sydney FC defence that inspired the victory.
Sydney FC came to Perth knowing they would face a barrage of high balls from a much-improved Perth outfit and Reddy made four magnificent second half saves to make sure that the Sky Blues hung onto its first lead of the season and three valuable points.
The win lifts Sydney FC to second on the Hyundai A-League ladder and has the Sky Blues in a buoyant mood leading into Saturday night-s clash with the Central Coast Mariners at the Sydney Football Stadium.
Sydney FC made two changes to the team that started against the Gold Coast last weekend with Terry Antonis and Rhyan Grant drafted in for Brett Emerton and Hirofumi Moriyasu with Lavicka resisting the temptation to start with Bruno Cazarine.
The game started with both sides showing signs of tension with second place up for grabs and despite a very tight and tough midfield battle neither side was able to create any clear chances early on.
That changed in the 44th minute when Bridge opened his account for the 2011/12 season. Bridge-s goal came after some slick midfield interplay, which released Carle down the left and his low cross was inch perfect for Bridge to poke home from close range.
Perth threw everything at the visitors in the second half and Reddy-s heroics even included one save from Perth goalkeeper Danny Vukovic, who ventured forward for a corner in the dying stages and hit the target with a header.
Sydney FC now switches its attention to the Sydney Football Stadium where a bumper crowd is expected to see the Sky Blues take on the Central Coast Mariners on Saturday night. Kick of is 7.45pm.
Sydney FC 1 (Mark Bridge 44) d Perth Glory 0
nib Stadium
Crowd: 9046
Referee: Gerard Parsons
Sydney FC: 1. Liam Reddy, 3. Jamie Coyne, 4. Pascal Bosschaart, 5. Michael Beauchamp, 8. Karol Kisel (12. Shannon Cole ‘77), 10 Nick Carle, 15. Terry McFlynn (c), 17. Terry Antonis (9 Bruno Cazarine ‘67), 19. Mark Bridge, 21. Scott Jamieson, 23. Rhyan Grant (2. Sebastian Ryall ‘82).
Sub not used: 20. Ivan Necevski.
Yellow cards: Scott Jamieson 77.
Red cards: Nil
Perth Glory: 1. Danny Vukovic, 2. Josh Mitchell, 3. Bas van den Brink, 4. Billy Mehmet, 6. Chris Coyne, 7. Jacob Burns, 8. Adam Hughes, 9. Shane Smeltz, 10. Liam Miller, 19. Josh Risdon (13. Travis Dodd -55 (17. Todd Howarth ‘85), 27 Andrezinho(21. Mile Sterjovski ‘55).
Sub not used: 30. Lewis Italiano (gk)
Yellow cards: Nil
Red cards: Nil
