Melbourne Victory get rare away win in Perth

Melbourne Victory have consolidated their second position on the A-League table with a 2-1 away win against the Perth Glory.

The reigning champions turned around a six-match winless run in Perth to go four points clear of third-placed Gold Coast United, thanks to an inspired performance by striker Archie Thompson.

Perth Glory: 1 (Mile Sterjovski ‘19)
Melbourne Victory: 2 (Chris Coyne (og) ‘7, Carlos Hernandez ‘67)

Venue: Members Equity Stadium
Crowd: 10,035

In the 7th minute, the in-form Carlos Hernandez found himself with the plenty of space at the top of the box before firing off a left-foot shot that took a wicked deflection off Glory defender Chris Coyne to give the Victory the lead.

But the home side got back on level terms when Mile Sterjovski turned Victory skipper Kevin Muscat with a killer first touch before smashing his shot into the back of the net in the 19th minute.

Perth controlled most of the remainder of the first half but could not cash in on their positive play and the score stayed at 1-1 at the break.

With 25 minutes remaining, Archie Thompson broke through the Glory defence before setting up substitute Nathan Elasi but the youngster blasted his shot over the top of the crossbar.

Moments later, however, the Victory again went ahead when Thompson worked hard in midfield to release Elasi who supplied a pinpoint cross to Hernandez who met the ball at full stretch at the back post.
Elasi’s sublime assist made up for his earlier blunder and gave the ascendency to the visitors.

Perth tried in vain to get themselves back on level terms but the Victory held them out and picked up a vital three points away from home.