Mark Bridge has a keen sense of history. The man who helped us to a title in 2010 and scored to give the Jets the toilet seat two years prior struck again to give the Wanderers their maiden victory and first ever goal. The man has written himself into the history books time and again in career of highlights punctuated by so much dross. 

It was a good weekend for former Sydney players, none more so than young Joey Gibbs. Brought in to replace the cumbersome Kresinger, the 2010 Grand Final winner (not many people remember that) showed the skill, style and speed that the Wanderers have been missing up front.

Why do I care? Because I like seeing former Sydney players do well, and have no bad feelings towards the Wanderers just yet. They may well hate us, but haven’t done enough to earn our ire to date. Unlike the Evil Empire down south, who have done plenty and there is no better feeling than seeing them prop up the table, even if only in Round 4.

On to players present, and it was from the cauldron of Parramatta Stadium last weekend to Australia’s biggest mortuary. An event goer’s paradise, ANZ Stadium is way too big for most of Sydney’s sporting contests. If anything could make it work it was always going to be the Cove, loud and in fine voice throughout the match. And to be fair the joint’s acoustics aren’t bad, the Cove cacophony reverberating around the stadium the full 93 minutes of the game in front of 22,128 in attendance.

Football reflects life and the better team doesn’t always triumph. Dominated most of the first half, Sydney struggled for rhythm while Perth showed class and a passing quality that many put beyond the coaching ability of Ian Ferguson. Which is garbage of course – given Tony Sage’s faith and resources, not to mention Ferguson’s pedigree, the man has taken the team to a Grand Final, and not by fluke. Miller was sublime, and the Glory passed around us with style and ease most of the first stanza. That Ivan didn’t have a great deal to do throughout the match is testimony to centre halves McLenahan and Ryall who won everything and gave Perth little more than a sniff of goal. It was only one moment of Travis Dodd magic (and some static Sydney defending on that one occasion) that gave Glory a 0-1 lead, a goal that had been coming some fifteen minutes.

Deservedly trailing at halftime, the boys came out of the dressing rooms with renewed vigour and showed some good passing sequences, taking the game to Glory early on. Under the pump, Perth had few answers, pinned deep in their own half and chasing shadows. Finally a classy through ball by Ali Abbas, a tug on Brett Emerton, and a red card to Pantelidis followed by yet another heart-stopper of a Del Piero penalty.

Sensing blood the Sky Blues lifted further against Glory’s 10 men as the crowd finally found its voice. Chipping Vukovic for Sydney’s second, Emerton capped a fine evening in front of a watching Holger Osieck. Our best player on the night, Emo made quite a statement to the national coach and could find himself in the frame for the Korea friendly next month. Perth still played some good football but we held on for another three points, rising to fifth on the ladder.

Just like in the clash in Perth 12 months ago we were lucky to escape with a win. The attack looked mostly disjointed once again, shades of the Wellington game, and the game was won on the back of an outstanding defensive effort and Paul Reid, who has added so much to the side. Creativity mainly came from Abbas, and Kruno was finally the all-action striker displaying tremendous workrate of which I didn’t think he was capable, also doing plenty with the ball at his feet. Surprisingly Crooky kept the Terrys McFlynn and Antonis on the sidelines, the boys putting in a mighty 30 minute warm up routine to no avail. Yaira Yau was the sole substitute and he might just have played himself into the starting line up next weekend after an impressive 35 minute cameo.

Del Piero was a bit below par, giving the ball away and being somewhat on the periphery of the game, at least by his standards. But it must’ve been inspiring for his teammates to see their gifted colleague roll up his sleeves and do his share of the defensive duties. He and the rest of the side may not have been on the same wavelength, but he is a team man and did his best for the cause throughout the match.

Two sides that produced ordinary performances this weekend but walked away with three points apiece will meet in Gosford next Saturday night. Unlike Perth against whom we continue an enviable record, our recent results against the Mariners haven’t been flash. Separated by a point on the table, this game is sure to be a tough one, and always an away fan’s must-attend on the calendar.

We’ll certainly deck Bluetongue out in Sky Blue, as usual outsinging the locals but this time with an even bigger Sydney presence.  It’ll be a great occasion and I look forward to singing the song about Corica’s goal that sent the Mariners out of the final in 2006.