Glory holds Melbourne to 2-2 draw - Sports News - Fanatics - the world's biggest events

Glory holds Melbourne to 2-2 draw

By Chris Pike 07/01/2007 10:42:50 PM Comments (0)

Perth Glory put a controversial week behind it and won back some credibility with a 2-2 draw against A-League leaders Melbourne Victory at Members Equity Stadium in Perth.

The Glory had appeared on track for an upset after leading 2-0 at half time but two second-half goals from Kristian Sarkies ensured the Victory salvaged a point from the match.

It was a night to forget for Melbourne defender Mark Byrnes.

He was directly responsible for Perth's second goal and also left his side down to 10 men after a tackle on Jamie Harnwell earned him his second yellow card midway through the second half.

The Victory rested captain Kevin Muscat, Fred, Daniel Allsopp, keeper Michael Theoklitos and were without suspended striker Archie Thompson, but were still highly fancied against the Glory.

But the home side started the strongest, brushing aside the controversy surrounding the post-match brawl between captain Jamie Harnwell and Adrian Webster 10 days ago.

Defender Mark Lee crossed the ball in for both of Perth's opening half goals, although only one met a teammate.

Jamie Harnwell headed home the first goal after 29 minutes jumping over Byrnes and guiding it past Eugene Galekovic.

Their second came after Lee again crossed into the box in search of Harnwell before Byrnes, attempting to clear the ball, mishit a strike past Galekovic for an own goal.

Harnwell and Webster showed no signs of problems that marred the club after last Thursday night's loss to Adelaide with Webster one of the first to go up to hug his captain upon scoring.

Melbourne opened their account 15 minutes into the second half.

Grant Brebner hit the post with a powerful strike and Kristian Sarkies was there to slot it home on the rebound.

Just a minute after Byrnes was sent off, Melbourne received a free-kick in their half and Sarkies sent home his second, with a blistering strike from well out.

Sarkies almost made it a hat-trick just before full time but his free-kick sailed just over the crossbar.

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