[monks data]

Australian A-League

Jan 26, 2014 at 8am UK

Western Sydney Western Sydney Wanderers
3-1
Perth Glory Perth Glory

Santalab (28'), Mooy (35'), Bridge (71' pen.)

FT(HT: 2-0)

Smeltz (56')

Match Report

Football

Western Sydney Wanderers win on Australia Day

By Joe Fish, Reporter | 26 January 2014

Western Sydney Warriors celebrate Australia Day with a comfortable 3-1 A-League victory over Perth Glory at the Parramatta Pirtek Stadium.

Western Sydney Wanderers celebrated Australia Day with a comfortable 3-1 A-League victory over Perth Glory at the Parramatta Pirtek Stadium.

Marquee signing William Gallas was in the Glory lineup but the former Arsenal defender could not prevent his new club from falling two-nil behind at the break.

Perth striker Shane Smeltz gave away possession on the halfway line in the buildup to Sydney's opening goal on 28 minutes as a breakaway from Aaron Mooy and Mark Bridge set up Brendon Santalab.

The striker converted a tap in from five yards and three minutes later he played a role in their second as he was fouled for a free kick which Mooy struck, via a deflection, past Danny Vukovic in the Perth net.

Smeltz, the A-League's all-time top goalscorer, pulled one back for the Glory 11 minutes after the interval, as he latched onto a fine pass from Chris Harold before burying a shot into the bottom corner.

However, the visitors could not complete their comeback as Shannon Cole earned Tony Popovic's side a soft penalty and Bridge converted casually from 12 yards to secure Sydney maximum points.