The game began very high-paced, and a fantastic through ball from Harry Kewell put through Archie Thompson on the wing, though the youngster's pull back resulted in some pinballing in the box.
A sold out crowd then saw another beautiful run from Thompson ended by a flying challenge from the Heart keeper to set up a penalty for Carlos Hernandez to hit tamely at the keeper, and the atmosphere became noticeably louder.
Then came a moment of pure beauty, Archie Thompson, who before today had never scored in a Melbourne derby, scored with a clever flick, before looping the ball over the keeper. In fact, I'm gonna link you to it here. In fact, have a highlights video, on the house.
He then proceeded to mount the corner flag in celebration. Awesome. I think i might put these videos in from now on for the one 2 watch...
The attacking intent continued with a resurgent Victory side making light of their recent dip in form and showing no signs of dwelling on their penalty miss. Though Heart did create a chance that the keeper knew nothing about. (Looked like it hurt some aswell)
Heart then got their breakthrough. A lapse in concentration allowed...Matt Thompson...to get through and slot past the Victory keeper in a pulsating game with a lot of attacking from both sides. Honestly, this game is a joy to watch and th...2-1! What a goal! Heart just scored again, Thompson again! Chipped the keeper from the outside of the area after a great through ball. Suddenly the Heart are/were back in front.
Both teams began the second half brightly. Also, I'm only doing this long report because it's my One 2 Watch, don't expect it for every game ;).
Hearts' Clint Bolton made an insane save at point blank rage from...Sernak? Cernak? Whatever his name is, ah he just got subbed off, it's Cernak. Victory kept pressing, desparate for an equaliser.
Victory then had a bit of a scare, with a goalline clearance...also Heart just scored again, 3-1. Pretty good build up, slightly acrobatic finish aswell. What a game this is, if you're reading this report because you didn't catch the match, you missed out. Bicycle kick, good goal.
More attacks from Victory, but you can tell they're starting to get desparate. Being reduced to long range efforts, and none of them are coming anywere close. Harry Kewell continued his dry streak by blazing over from close range when he really should have buried it. Hernandez did score a fantastic free kick, but it was to no avail as Heart took all 3 points to take them second in the league. What a fantastic match.
Perth Glory 1-3 Central Coast Mariners
As soon as Josh Mitchell was sent off in the 26th minute, you could already tell it wasn't going to be Perth's night. The score remained 0-0 for the rest of the first half, but a 15 minute period in the second half saw th ree fairly decent goals from Ibini, Bojic and Simon. Ibini's goal was actually quite good, although if you read the play-by-play report on the A-League website..."Bernie Ibini-Isei Central Coast Mariners FC scores goal general middle left left foot inside 6m general attack". Poetic.
A shellshocked glory side could only muster a weak response, and their consolation effort came in the 83rd minute, but by then the points had been sealed. Central Coast are now sitting pretty 5-points clear at the top of the table, with their next match against Gold Coast being seen as an easy opportunity to extend this lead. For Glory, a trip to current off-form team Brisbane Roar awaits.
Wellington Pheonix 5-2 Newcastle Jets
Dani Sanchez was by far the best player in this game, bagging two goals in the first half as Wellington stormed to a well-deserved victory that leaves them 5th in the table, but within touching distance of 2nd. A finish from Greenacre and two more from Sanchez's replacement, Pavlovic, set Wellington on the way to continue their impressive form of late. For Newcastle it was a total reversal of their recent matches - they played terribly in the first half and picked up in the second. They're now sliding towards the bottom of the table, and if Gold Coast can carry on their little run, they could soon find themselves in trouble.
Gold Coast United 1-0 Brisbane Roar
Wow...but...they...how...who..eh? What? How on earth...36 matches unbeaten seems a long time ago now. Straight off the back of that, Brisbane have now lost 4 games on the trot. In all fairness, it was an 88th minute penalty that sealed the win for Gold Coast, and this win lifts them off the bottom of the table, and puts them in 9th place, and things for them are finally looking up. Ricky Visconte fouled Ben Halloran sillyly in the area with only 2 minutes left of normal time. Silly, silly. They are now unbeaten in three matches, and have gone 270 minutes of football without conceding, which is a club record.
Brisbane, meanwhile are in free fall. They are dropping points left, right and center, and are quite literally shipping goals from left, right and center. Yes, they are waiting on some important players to come back from injury, but this is no excuse. You'd think a side as strong as they were would have the depth to cope with an injury crisis - it would appear not - and they now face a stern test with Glory. It is not a good time to be a Roar fan.
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