Late drama as Glory beat Western Utd 2-1

Ryan Williams and Jack Clisby have unleashed mesmerising strikes as Perth Glory christened their temporary new home with a thrilling 2-1 win over Western United.

Williams opened the scoring in the 14th minute of Saturday night’s match in Perth when his stabbed cross from the byline lobbed over goalkeeper Jamie Young and sneaked in for a goal.

More celebrations erupted in the 52nd minute when Clisby unleashed a spellbinding curling strike from the edge of the box with his non-preferred right boot to make it 2-0.

Former Glory midfielder Neil Kilkenny pulled a goal back for Western in the 83rd minute when his long-range free kick went in untouched, with the goal sparking plenty of late drama.

Aleksandar Prijovic almost equalised in the seventh minute of stoppage time, only for his header to rebound off the woodwork and into the body of Glory goalkeeper Liam Reddy.

Western defender Leo Lacroix was then shown a red card moments later for a foul on Glory substitute Matthew Hatch.

A crowd of 3893 packed into Macedonia Park for Glory’s first home game of the season, and Perth ensured they went home happy as their second win of the season lifted them off the bottom of the ladder and within one point of sixth spot.

Western United, with just four points to show from seven games, dropped to last.

The defending champions entered the match without Alessandro Diamanti, Ben Garuccio and Tomoki Imai due to illness, but fit-again striker Prijovic was named for his first start of the season.

Glory created the better chances in the first half, and it was Williams who opened the scoring with an outrageous effort.

Debate will rage as to whether it was meant to be a pass or a shot, but the end result was all that mattered to Glory’s delirious fans.

Western’s best chance in the first half fell to Lachlan Wales, who was left cursing himself after sending a free header wide of the target in the 41st minute.

The visitors’ frustrations were summed up by Connor Pain, who sent liquid flying everywhere when he kicked a drink bottle in frustration after being subbed off in the 62nd minute.

Kilkenny ensured there would be a nervy finish when his free kick caused confusion and went in untouched.

But the woodwork came to Glory’s rescue in the dying moments of the contest.