Reds edge out Glory

A remarkable goal from Reds’ substitute Matthew Kemp proved the difference as Adelaide United edged out Perth Glory 3-2 this afternoon at Hindmarsh Stadium.

After another entertaining opening saw the contest locked 2-2 at the break, Kemp produced the match-winning play just minutes after replacing Jason Spagnuolo early in the second half.

A blocked Carl Veart shot looked set to harmlessly bounce past the goal line, but combining persistence and skill with good fortune, Kemp beat Glory keeper Aleks Vrteski to the bobbling ball, and somehow managed to lob it in from the tightest of angles.

The amazing goal stunned Perth and there was no coming back for the visitors, who received a further blow when Adelaide-born Paul Pezos was sent off a quarter of an hour later following a behind-the-play altercation with United captain Ross Aloisi.

The Reds’ sixth victory of the season, together with Queensland’s shock loss to A-League minnows New Zealand, has solidified the South Australian club’s top-four position, ahead of a difficult three-game away stretch.

For the Glory, who was without winger Stan Lazaridis and Stewart Young, the unlucky defeat leaves them three points and goal difference behind fourth-placed Sydney, with a clash against runaway leaders Melbourne to come next Thursday night.

Injuries to star imports Shengqing Qu and Bobby Petta forced United coach John Kosmina to recall Brazilian striker Fernando to the starting lineup for the first time since late September. Not surprisingly, he was rusty and his forward partnership with Veart looked anything but menacing early.

Glory veteran Bobby Despotovski had the first meaningful chance of the match, and his strike needed a smart save from Reds’ custodian Robert Bajic.

But there was nothing Bajic could do nine minutes later, as Glory attacker Luka Glavas had the defence backpeddling before releasing former Adelaide boy Mimi Saric on the left. His left foot drive across goal was too good for the keeper and found the back of the net, much to the disappointment of a healthy 11,062 crowd.

However, United wasted no time in levelling proceedings, venturing forward from the restart and earning a penalty through Spagnulo, whose shirt was tugged by defender Jamie Coyne in the box. He may have missed a crucial spot-kick last weekend, but Veart would make no mistake on this occasion, slamming it right past Vrteski.

With Spagnuolo and Travis Dodd dominant on the wings, Adelaide began to control general play and create a number of opportunities which the Glory only barely managed to repel.

It came as no surprise when United eventually did take the lead in the 24th minute, with midfielder Greg Owens the beneficiary of some clever work from Dodd. Using his electric pace, Dodd burst past one Perth defender and centred the ball to Veart, who let it run through to an unmarked Owens just inside the box. His confident right foot strike eluded a despairing Vrteski and gave Adelaide a 2-1 advantage.

Owens nearly headed the Reds further in front, ghosting in at the back post but from six metres out, he missed the target.

Desperate defence from the Glory’s Ante Kovacevic and Jamie Harnwell prevented United from scoring the decisive third goal and in stoppage time, Perth would creep back into the match with a penalty of their own.

Reds’ half-back Richie Alagich’s poorly-disguised push on Glavas was noticed by referee Matthew Breeze and Despotovski calmly restored parity for the Glory with a well-taken spot-kick.

Despite the substitution of Despotovski with a foot injury, Perth’s momentum continued into the second half and they nearly took the lead courtesy of Harnwell. However, his free header was brilliantly saved by a diving Bajic, as the Glory started to pile on the pressure.

But against the run of play, Kemp would conjure up his first United goal in more than two years and when Pezos’ elbow was deemed worthy of a straight red with 15 minutes remaining, Perth was back on the canvas.

From there, Adelaide held firm, denying the Glory time on the ball and shutting down their diminishing options in attack, as they went on to reclaim second spot on the A-League ladder.

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