Glory, who finished a disappointing 10th last season with a 4-4-7 home record, started the new campaign in ideal fashion with a good display where they might have won by more.

However, Ferguson told Fox Sports after the game he was delighted with the win which came thanks to Billy Mehmet's 77th-minute header and hoped to build on the result, particularly at home.

“It was nice to get the result first and foremost. The fans were sensational today. Obviously getting the three points it's a nice happy place,” he said.

“We've been preaching throughout the pre-season to try and get your home games, to make sure it's like a fortness, no one comes here and rolls us over.

“It was a great start. We could've scored a lot of goals today, unfortunately they don't go in. But we're creating the chances which is fantastic.”

Glory skipper Jacob Burns added: “We're not getting carried away. We know we've got to make this place a fortress and travel well this season.

“We've got to give something back to the fans after a disappointing last season. It's a fresh vibe among the boys, and if we can continue that there's no reason why we can't be up there.

“It's a fantastic stadium and the supporters here are great. We want to get them back in numbers and we can only do that by getting results.”

New Glory signing Andrezinho impressed on debut and Ferguson said he was delighted with his input.

“He's a dangerous player. He'll put in crosses, he's direct, he's got great balance, great skill, technically very good. He caused them a lot of problems in the first-half,” Ferguson said.

On matchwinner Mehmet, Ferguson said: “I knew Billy would give us something else. He's a different type of player to Smeltzy (Shane Smeltz).

“Smeltzy will feed off him. It was great, Billy getting his first goal for the club as well.”

Reds coach Rini Coolen conceded his side were ordinary in the first-half but came into the game after the break but said Perth were deserved winners.

“During the first-half we lost control of the midfield and they created some chances. We got lucky that it was still 0-0 at half-time,” he said.

“We changed the game plan a little bit and the game changed in the second-half, we were more in control of the game, we didn't create too many chances but we were getting better and better.

“But they deserved the goal and I think it's a deserved win for Perth.

“The second-half was much better but not good enough.”