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Glory grab points as Sydney falter

22 November 2009 | 22:10 - AAP

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Sydney's mid-season stumble continued as unheralded Perth striker Scott Bulloch and Serbian sniper Branko Jelic inspired Glory to a 2-0 A-League triumph at ME Bank Stadium on Sunday.


 

Bulloch, making his first start of the season, broke the deadlock in the 57th minute before Jelic sealed the result two minutes from time to consign Sydney to their second straight loss.

Perth's first win in five matches keeps the Glory in fifth spot and still within two points of the fourth-placed Mariners, while Sydney slip two points adrift of ladder-leaders Melbourne.

Chances were few and far between in a lacklustre and at times physical first-half as both sides struggled for fluency going forward.

Sydney's defence remained calm and composed in the opening half hour as Perth fired in several dangerous crosses and it was actually the visitors who finished the first half full of steam, with Mark Bridge and Alex Brosque both going close with long range efforts.

Brosque and Perth defender Chris Coyne almost came to blows in the 39th minute following a fierce aerial challenge but referee Strebre Delovski was quickly on hand to defuse the situation.

Bulloch had earlier been left bloodied and momentarily dazed after a head clash with Sydney defender Sung-Hwan Byun.

Mile Sterjovski started on the bench after being grounded for most of the week with a stomach bug but his introduction after the half-time break proved critical as Perth finally shot into action.

While Sterjovski was causing Sydney's defence problems, it was 25-year-old Bulloch who snuck under the radar, heading home Jamie Coyne's deflected cross from the right.

Sydney introduced John Aloisi in a bid to peg one back but the former Socceroos striker couldn't do the job, although a glancing header in the 81st minute and a volley three minutes later put Perth's defence on edge.

Sydney goalkeeper Clint Bolton denied Jamie Coyne with a great diving save in the 85th minute but he had no hope of denying Jelic, who slotted home from point-blank range after a searing run and centre from Sterjovski.

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