An injury time goal by Josh Mitchell gave Perth Glory a 1-0 win over Wellngton Phoenix at Westpac Stadium today.
Played in atrocious conditions with a howling wind sweeping the heavy rain across the ground, the game was disjoined but, if anything, the visitors adapted better.
Goal scoring chances were few and far between though both teams did manage to hit the crossbar, Daniel for the Phoenix and Shane Smeltz for Glory.
It seemed the points would be shared till Perth were awarded a soft free kick on their right flank.
Floated over, the ball hung up in the win the Mitchell headed just inside the upright past a scrambling Tony Warner.
It wasn-t the way midfielder Tim Brown wanted to mark his 100th appearance for the Phoenix.
“It was hugely disappointing, we just didn-t really show up today,” Brown said.
“To concede like that was really tough. It was hugely difficult in those conditions, but overall I think they were sharper than us.
“We knew that a win potentially would have put us third on the ladder so that was even more disappointing.
“We now need to bounce back against Gold Coast, but they are tough at home.”
Phoenix coach Ricki Herbert was disappointed that his team didn-t adapt as well they could have.
“We were only there in patches,” he said.
Asked if he would ,make changes for the game at the Gold Coast Herbert said he would take his time before deciding.
“I-ve got some options now and we have an informal game against Team Wellington on Wednesday so that will give some lads who haven-t been playing a chance.”
Wellngton Phoenix 0, Perth Glory 1 (J Mitchell).
