Jump to content

  • Santa Snaps Perth Streak

    mack

    By mack

    Goals to Romeo Castelen and Brendon Santalab either side of a penalty from Andy Keogh have given the Wanderers a 2-1 win against Perth.

     

    The win sees the Wanderers kick 3 points clear at the top of the table although the match between Brisbane Roar and Adelaide is certain to see one of those teams close in. A tight first half ensued, with the Wanderers dominant in possession, Glory elected to sit back, defend stoutly and attack on the counter rapidly. The main item of note in the half was the loss for the Wanderers of Dario Vidosic, who came off with what looked like a hamstring problem.

     

    All of the key moments came after the hour mark, as Perth began to tire and the Wanderers asserted their stranglehold on the game. Romeo Castelen opened the scoring in the 62nd minute on the end of a lightning counter-attack. Central defender Alex Grant leapt onto a corner, but his body shape didn't allow him to get much power. Liam Reddy, starting his second game after his derby debut, released a long throw to Mark Bridge. Bridge managed to turn on the ball, finding Mitch Nichols, who quickly laid it on for Castelen. The Dutchman turned inside with his first touch onto his right boot, the second slamming into the base of the far post and into the back of the net.

     

    The lead lasted only a few minutes. Practically from the kick-off, Perth broke down the right hand side through the pacy Chris Harold, who managed to run around the outside of Nikolai Topor-Stanley and was dragged down by the Wanderers captain. Andy Keogh's stutterstep run-up helped to send Reddy the wrong way, but questions will be asked of how referee Strebre Delovski failed to order a retake when players on both sides had encroached into the penalty box before the kick.

     

    Super sub Brendon Santalab entered the fray and scored the winner with a dramatic looping touch. Bridge provided the assist, a lob over the Perth backline found Santalab, and as the ball flew high, Santalab connected with a jumping volley, getting a touch to the ball that teased Ante Covic into a despairing dive and landed just past the goal line.

     

    Perth were run ragged in the final stages, opening themselves up at the back, with Romeo Castelen having the best chance to seal the game with a rocket that crashed into the crossbar. In the end the Wanderers did enough to secure the win, although on another night it could easily have been Perth walking away with the points, as they had more than enough chances to do so.

    Go to articles

    User Feedback

    Recommended Comments



    tardotz

    The crowd was OK considering it was Friday night. Lots of people arrived late as the traffic was bad, I would not be surprised that some gave up and turned around.

    As I have mentioned before we have become very predictable. We have a very slow build up and the opposition know that and have started pressing our defenders. We were lucky a couple of times yesterday almost getting caught.It is very frustrating that most of the times even when we're in a good attacking position you see the ball being passed all the way back.

    You can see the difference when we move it quick....2 goals.

    Link to comment
    SomeGuy1977

    One of the take aways for me from last night was that Perth's rampant, high scoring attack was nullified by our play. Of course they had chances - we need to look at why we allowed their attacking runs to happen, but we held them. The goal they got, a penalty courtesy of Topor's clumsy defending, was a gift. They didn't penetrate our defense and we score two to take the points. We thwarted their momentum and that's pretty darn satisfying.

     

    Job done, we need to keep pushing and building. Lets see if we can stay top of the table this weekend.

     

    I reckon we did a good job of breaking the momentum, theirs and our own. :)

     

    I also think we were a bit fortunate that when they did have there shots, they weren't particularly effective, most (going straight at Reddy (the ones where he had to make a save anyhow). I wouldn't say Reddy was exactly tested. Even their set pieces where way off compared to last week.

    Link to comment
    FCWanderers

    The crowd was OK considering it was Friday night. Lots of people arrived late as the traffic was bad, I would not be surprised that some gave up and turned around.

    As I have mentioned before we have become very predictable. We have a very slow build up and the opposition know that and have started pressing our defenders. We were lucky a couple of times yesterday almost getting caught.It is very frustrating that most of the times even when we're in a good attacking position you see the ball being passed all the way back.

    You can see the difference when we move it quick....2 goals.

    Agree, the build up play especially in the first half was very slow, the speed of passing picked up in the second half. A lot of the team look like they are fatigued are they doing extra training during the week in preparation for the lead in to the finals?

    Link to comment
    Guest redwhiteblack

    Guest redwhiteblack

    Posted

    Highlights anyone?

     

    Good to hear Scotty nev played well.

    Link to comment
    MartinTyler

    A mixed bag for me as it was a VITAL 3 points given the state of play. On the plus side we toughed it out and took advantage when they were tiring late in the game. Perth are a good well-organised outfit and I expect them to displace Sydney or Victory in the top 6. I thought Alberto was one of our best along with Bridge and Castellan. Reddy was solid in goal and instrumental in the quick break which lead to our opening goal. On the negative side  NTS is a real worry as he just looks uncomfortable with the style of play we are trying to achieve. We have stepped up a level this season and he has been left behind.Neville has struggled in the last few games and Sotirio hasn't yet acquired a football brain. Even Andreu didn't have the same influence on the game as he normally does. However, I fully expected Perth to give us problems but we rode the storm and came away with 3 valuable points. Sets us up nicely for the last few games.

    Link to comment
    EmMac

     

    One of the take aways for me from last night was that Perth's rampant, high scoring attack was nullified by our play. Of course they had chances - we need to look at why we allowed their attacking runs to happen, but we held them. The goal they got, a penalty courtesy of Topor's clumsy defending, was a gift. They didn't penetrate our defense and we score two to take the points. We thwarted their momentum and that's pretty darn satisfying.

     

    Job done, we need to keep pushing and building. Lets see if we can stay top of the table this weekend. 

     

    Oh yes they did. It seemed like every high ball was theirs. We really suck at standards defensively. We didn't last week though when Hamill was playing. Funny that. 

     

     

    I guess I am looking at itholistically in that we did stymie their defense else they would have scored more. Maybe a simplistic analysis on my part. I will concede I'm not the best analyst of the game. I just felt we didn't allow them the conditions they've had in their last few games where they were running rampant. Tactically, we did the job 

     

    I don't think it was our best performance, not by a mile. And the first half inability to push forward, find space, was painful. We got the job done but we need to be better than last night to hold the toilet seat aloft. That much I know

     

     

    ......... On the negative side  NTS is a real worry as he just looks uncomfortable with the style of play we are trying to achieve. We have stepped up a level this season and he has been left behind..................

    I think thats a good take on NTS. Not perhaps that he's terrible, but that our defense in general has improved since last season, and Topor hasn't. He really does struggle with his distribution, and choices therein.

    Link to comment
    ptwsw

    Season defining game against a very good in form opponent.

    We found a way to win.

    This 'habit' of bagging the winning goal in the last ten minutes will certainly have an effect on other teams and how they play is in the closing minutes of games. This gives us the confidence that we can get a win in difficult games.

    Not our best game, crowd disappointing but very proud of our boys.

    Link to comment
    StringerBellend

    Just watched the SBS clips online. Lowe going on about the "high foot" as if they had been ripped off by the referee. It's only high foot of dangerous and given that warren was no where near Santa it's not high foot.

     

    What a Bellend Lowe is, if they had a goal diasallowed he would have been all wouldn't happen in my day, soft referee...

     

    Given all the terrible referee decisions this year he blows up on that one, where the referee got it right.

     

    On our playing out from the back, we did it a few times when it wasn't on an out ourselves in trouble. But I still prefer that we play out. Let's face it we have nobody in the front line with size to compete for long balls anyway. No point in hitting it long for bridge when he is surrounded by six foot grocks

    Edited by StringerBellend
    Link to comment
    Zelinsky

    Shannon Cole on NTS: "Captain courageous. If there’s anyone you want beside you in the trenches, it’s him."

     

    Topor is great when it comes to absorbing pressure. Let's not forget that the 2014 GF slipped away once he got injured. But Perth made very visible his limitations as a footballer by pressing him hard. With the type of football we are playing he'll have young Jonathan breathing down his neck next season.

    Link to comment
    theguyyouwishyouwere
     

    Just watched the SBS clips online. Lowe going on about the "high foot" as if they had been ripped off by the referee. It's only high foot of dangerous and given that warren was no where near Santa it's not high foot.

    What a Bellend Lowe is, if they had a goal diasallowed he would have been all wouldn't happen in my day, soft referee...

    Given all the terrible referee decisions this year he blows up on that one, where the referee got it right.

    On our playing out for the

     

    takes one to know one :P

    Link to comment
    Zelinsky
    • Two (hopefully 3) games to go at Wanderland. It’s coming to an end guys......

     

     

    Big sigh. I am starting to feel a bit nostalgic already.

     

    But with a roof over the head the RBB experience will be breath taking. Last week, in Arnie's mansion, I stood towards the back of the active bay. The noise coming up during the first dale was incredible, very much unlike what we experience at home games. If that's what we can look forward to in a few year's time: good riddance, Pirtek, and roll on new stadium. 

    Link to comment
    • Popular Comment
    Davo
    • Popular Comment

    Talking about NTS, what about in the first half when Reddy ran out the side of his area to take a quick free kick. NTS took up a position in the goal to cover Reddy and Reddy played the ball to him, probably assuming that he'd continue to spread it left. Instead NTS plays it straight back to him. Now we have our keeper outside the penalty area with the ball at his feet and out CB standing in the goal.

     

    Felt like back in primary school with a 'travel goalie'.

    Link to comment
    bombagol

    Talking about NTS, what about in the first half when Reddy ran out the side of his area to take a quick free kick. NTS took up a position in the goal to cover Reddy and Reddy played the ball to him, probably assuming that he'd continue to spread it left. Instead NTS plays it straight back to him. Now we have our keeper outside the penalty area with the ball at his feet and out CB standing in the goal.

     

    Felt like back in primary school with a 'travel goalie'.

    And NTS's pass back to Reddy wasn't a good one either. Instead of passing it back on the ground, he gave Reddy a high ball which took ages to be brought under control with a Perth player closing him down ... I nearly had a heart attack!
    Link to comment
    Unlimited

    Very interesting game - Perth pressed from the outset and were really troubling us the first ten minutes or so, and I was sitting there thinking, "oh crap - here we go again". I thought that after our ehhhhhhh display at the derby and Perth's 6-3 walloping, we could be in trouble. And then even more so after Vidosic got taken off after 10.

     

    But somehow... they just didn't click. Neville had a great game, Reddy was immense (I actually thought he was going to save the penalty), and by the end of it all, we could've won by a lot more

     

     

    Funny game football

    Link to comment
    Panda

    I had Piovacarri sit right in front of me for the whole game with his 2 kids. I noticed him following the game closely with little to no emotion. When Castelen scored, he didn't move at all. Then Perth scored their penalty and he just stared forward. But when Santa scored that audacious winner, he jumped up like a little kid with his arms up in the air cheering for a solid 2 seconds, then looked around him with a sheepish smile, and sat straight back down while the rest of the Western grandstand were up on their feet. Just an interesting observation. 

     

    I know it has been all said and done, but it would be nice to see Pio back out there constesting the high balls that Bridge gets outmuscled on every time. I thought Bridge played much better in the 2nd half when he was moved to the left wing once Santa came on. 

    Edited by Panda
    Link to comment
    Horus

    Just watched the SBS clips online. Lowe going on about the "high foot" as if they had been ripped off by the referee. It's only high foot of dangerous and given that warren was no where near Santa it's not high foot.

     

    What a Bellend Lowe is, if they had a goal diasallowed he would have been all wouldn't happen in my day, soft referee...

     

    Given all the terrible referee decisions this year he blows up on that one, where the referee got it right.

     

    On our playing out from the back, we did it a few times when it wasn't on an out ourselves in trouble. But I still prefer that we play out. Let's face it we have nobody in the front line with size to compete for long balls anyway. No point in hitting it long for bridge when he is surrounded by six foot grocks

     

    I thought KL's end of match interview was pretty amusing, interesting he called us the best in the league by a country mile - but yeah the rant about Santa's goal was bs - but to be honest Strebre was so **** last night I wouldn't have been shocked if he blew his whistle for a high foot...he had no problem giving Perth a foul whenever one of them fell over near one of our guys...

    Link to comment
    Unlimited

    I had Piovacarri sit right in front of me for the whole game with his 2 kids. I noticed him following the game closely with little to no emotion. When Castelen scored, he didn't move at all. Then Perth scored their penalty and he just stared forward. But when Santa scored that audacious winner, he jumped up like a little kid with his arms up in the air cheering for a solid 2 seconds, then looked around him with a sheepish smile, and sat straight back down while the rest of the Western grandstand were up on their feet. Just an interesting observation. 

     

    I know it has been all said and done, but it would be nice to see Pio back out there constesting the high balls that Bridge gets outmuscled on every time. I thought Bridge played much better in the 2nd half when he was moved to the left wing once Santa came on. 

     

    maybe santalab and him are like best buddies

     

     

    Interesting, though.

    Link to comment
    StringerBellend

    Talking about NTS, what about in the first half when Reddy ran out the side of his area to take a quick free kick. NTS took up a position in the goal to cover Reddy and Reddy played the ball to him, probably assuming that he'd continue to spread it left. Instead NTS plays it straight back to him. Now we have our keeper outside the penalty area with the ball at his feet and out CB standing in the goal.

     

    Felt like back in primary school with a 'travel goalie'.

    I blamed reddy for that one, you don't play the ball across your own goal like that. Reddy should have hoofed that over half way, I don't think NTS was expecting the ball.

    Link to comment
    WestSyd

     

    Talking about NTS, what about in the first half when Reddy ran out the side of his area to take a quick free kick. NTS took up a position in the goal to cover Reddy and Reddy played the ball to him, probably assuming that he'd continue to spread it left. Instead NTS plays it straight back to him. Now we have our keeper outside the penalty area with the ball at his feet and out CB standing in the goal.

    Felt like back in primary school with a 'travel goalie'.

    I blamed reddy for that one, you don't play the ball across your own goal like that. Reddy should have hoofed that over half way, I don't think NTS was expecting the ball.
    That was one big **** up and Reddy should not have passed it to Topor in such a vulnerable position. I think he did it out of a bit of desperation because Perth was pressing us all night and he had a lot of trouble finding defenders to pass to so we could start the build up from the back.

     

    But Topor has a way of panicking too much in certain situations and makes something look 10 times more troubling and awkward than what it really is.

    Edited by WestSyd
    Link to comment
    Hughesy

    It's that time of the season again where general interest in the aleague starts to fade away until the finals. Only the hardcore members and fans still have the stamina to maintain regular attendance. Summer's coming to an end, work/school is back in full swing and if it's even a bit tricky to make the game then those on the fence just don't bother. There needs to be more incentive for people to sell their seats back for resale too. A couple of thousand points to use on left over stock from previous seasons is not enticing.

     

    There must have been a shitload of people who drove to the game rather than public transport because the number of cars around the ground, especially the mental hospital, didn't seem to match up with the crowd figure.

    Link to comment
    Davo

    I'd imagine more people would drive to the Friday night games as they have less time after work/school to get there. Public transport is fine on a weekend when you have plenty of time and no afternoon peak to contend with.

    Link to comment
    WestSyd

    These post match discussions over the past two weeks have been pretty dead without flare talk ... normally we'd be up to page 10 by now.

    It only goes up to page 10 because of a handful of posters who post the same thing over and over. I think because we won people are also content and happy. If we lost there would probably be a few more pages in this thread and people arguing over player performances.

    Link to comment


    Create an account or sign in to comment

    You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

    Create an account

    Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

    Register a new account

    Sign in

    Already have an account? Sign in here.

    Sign In Now



×
×
  • Create New...