Report by Peter Simcox

Photos: Peter Simcox

Cockburn City moved up to fourth on the PS4 National Premier League WA table after a hard fought 2-0 win against Perth Glory at the Inglewood Stadium.

The Glory youngsters took the game to their visitors and dominated the first half, but Cockburn hit back after the break as late goals to youngster Jonathan Corness, his first ever NPLWA goal, and substitute Liam Murray got them home.

Corness, who signed from Division One side Ashfield this season, said it’s nice to get on the scoresheet, but the points were more important.

“The first half the Glory side outplayed us, but we had a chat at the break and totally dominated in the second,” he said.

“The ball came to me on the bounce and I just put my foot through it and luckily it went in, it’s great to score my first goal for the club.”

“We’re gelling together nicely now and it’s important to keep improving, so it’s nice to score, but to keep the side moving forward is more important.”

Cockburn Coach Marc Anthony said he was really surprised how the Glory youngsters performed, but said a tactical change at the break turned the tide in the second half and praised striker Rory Patterson on his second half perfromance.

“I’ve not seen the Glory play this season and they really surprised me the way they played,” he said.

“I told the players to go out and try and intimidate them, but the opposite happened and I thought they were fantastic.

“They were fighting and winning all the second balls, but I had a go at our lads at the break and I thought our lads were excellent in the second.

“Rory (Patterson) was great in the second half and his hold up play brought players into the game. He was unlucky hitting the bar and their keeper made a stunning save, but he put in a good shift.”

The visitors had the first opportunity on four minutes as Jordan Franken saved Patterson’s low shot on the turn.

Glory, who was looking to end a 10 game run without a win, hit back and Michael McDougal tested Cockburn keeper Curtis Aspden with a low shot on 20 minutes.

Moments later Daniel Stynes skipped past his marker on the left and rifled a low shot, which was well saved by Aspden at his near post.

Both sides had chances late in the half. Corness’ cross from the right was met by Julian Teles, but Franken made a good reflex save to deny him.

Then a free kick from Glory skipper Jacob Collard was palmed away by Aspden, but at the break it was scoreless.

Aspden was in the action again three minutes into the second half, saving low from Slobodan Vulin’s long-range shot.

Patterson was a real handful for the Glory defence, and moments later he held off his marker, but his curling shot drifted inches wide of the post.

It was Patterson again on the hour mark. The former Northern Ireland international striker, snap shot crashed off the crossbar and away to safety.

Cockburn were now on top and former Glory midfielder Harry O’Brien saw his shot saved low by Franken, before the Glory custodian produced one of the saves of the season.

Devon Gibson made space down the right, crossing into the area, for Patterson, who caught it sweetly on the volley, but a superb reaction save from Franken denied him.

But the visitors’ pressure was rewarded with the lead on 79 minutes.

Patterson cut across the edge of the area and fed Corness on the right, who’s first time shot took a slight deflection off a Glory defender and hit the back of the net via the post.

The result was put to bed three minutes later, when Cockburn added a second.

A long clearance sent second half substitute Murray racing in on goal; he got to the ball just in front of Franken and finished into an empty net.

The Glory still pressed and Aspden had to be alert to save from former Cockburn youngster Gian Albano, but Cockburn held out to make it five games unbeaten in the league.

Perth Glory 0
Cockburn City 2 (Corness 79 mins, Murray 82’)
Saturday 13 June 2015
Inglewood Stadium, Inglewood
Referee: Tom Glavovic
Assistants: Shane Skinner and Scott Cairns

Perth Glory: GK Jordan FRANKEN, 2 Gian ALBANO, 3 Jacob COLLARD (c), 4 Nathan COSTELLO, 5 Ali GHOLAMI, 6 Calvin WHITNEY (12 Matthew NTOUMENOPOULOS 83’), 7 Michael MCDOUGAL (14 Alex TANESKI 80’), 8 Dejan SPASESKI (13 Waliedin ISMAIL 83’), 9 Nic TALIMDZIOSKI, 10 Slobodan VULIN, 11 Daniel STYNES
Subs not used: RGK Jordan YOUNG, 15 Ciaran SALINGER
Yellow Cards: Nil

Cockburn City: GK Curtis ASPDEN, 3 Jonathan CORNESS, 5 Alan CARROLL, 8 David ARAYA (12 Feisal ZAW 60’), 10 Rory PATTERSON, 11 Devon GIBSON, 13 Blake ADAMS, 14 Conor KAVANAGH, 15 Harry O'BRIEN, 16 Julian TELES (19 Liam MURRAY 77’), 17 Eamon McNELIS
Subs not used: RGK Jack ADAMS, 2 Josh KUSER, 7 Daniel BRYANT
Yellow Cards: Nil