By Michael Ramsey
A David Williams stoppage-time header has helped Perth Glory steal a 2-2 draw with Sydney FC in a clash interrupted by a second-half power outage.
The lights went out in the 65th minute of Saturday night’s game at Macedonia Park in suburban Perth, halting play for just over 10 minutes as both teams briefly left the ground.
David Williams of the Glory celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal.Credit:Getty
But after being 2-0 down at halftime, Perth turned the tables and secured an unlikely equaliser when substitute Williams got on the end of Jacob Dowse’s cross and headed home.
Sydney will be left to lament one that got away after dominating much of the contest.
Star English import Joe Lolley set the tone with a sixth-minute brace in his return from a two-game suspension.
Lolley was gifted far too much space outside the box by a flat-footed Glory defence and drilled a left-footed shot off the inside of the post and into the back of the net.
Adam Zimarino of the Glory controls the ball under pressure from Paulo Retre of Sydney FC.Credit:Getty
The defensive lapses kept coming for the hosts, who missed a chance to equalise against the run of play in the 16th minute when Andrew Redmayne pulled off a sharp save to deny John Koutroumbis’s diving header.
Sydney went 2-0 up in the 26th minute after a clearing header off Diego Caballo’s curling cross landed at the feet of Rhyan Grant on the back post for a simple finish.
They should have added a third minutes later when Max Burgess hit the crossbar from close range.
Playing their fourth game in just 12 days, Perth were initially outclassed by a Sky Blues outfit who created ample chances through playmakers Caballo and Robert Mak.
The match was held at Macedonia Park in Balcatta.Credit:Getty
Glory needed a spark and found one in the form of Zach Duncan, one of three halftime substitutes.
The young gun needed less than a minute to find the back of the net with a well-timed glancing header off a Jack Clisby cross.
Perth hunted for an equaliser before the ground was temporarily plunged into darkness, prompting fans to wave illuminated mobile phones.
The clock wasn’t stopped during the break in play, prompting the announcement of 14 minutes of stoppage time.
Lolley was denied a second goal by a diving Cameron Cook when play resumed before Glory turned the tables through Williams in the 12th minute of extra time.
“I’ve been in the A-League since the first season so I’ve seen everything, both good and bad,” Glory coach Ruben Zadkovich quipped.
“I think that was on show again tonight … a Sydney FC team with some real quality in their attack and a really spirited Perth team that stuck to a process and played some really good football in the second half under fatigue.”
The draw is another disappointment for eighth-placed Sydney who continue to perform below expectations.
“We played really well in the first half, we got the two goals and we really could have scored another one or two,” coach Steve Corica said.
“We just switched off at vital times and conceded, which is disappointing.”
Ninth-placed Glory are playing most of their home games this season at the 4000-capacity Macedonia Park while renovations are completed at HBF Park.
They will return to host Melbourne Victory next Saturday and have another three games scheduled at the ground next month.
