The coach is new at the helm but little has changed since Dave Mitchell moved upstairs.

After going undefeated in the first five games of the season, Glory have suffered seven straight losses.

If Ferguson wasn’t worried by his team’s lacklustre performance in the 3-0 loss at home to bottom-placed Sydney FC, he will be now.

Travelling to Sydney Football Stadium, Perth copped five at the hands of Central Coast Mariners.

Behind the scenes at Perth Glory would make a fantastic reality television show right about now.

It’s hard to imagine the disruption the players have gone through with changes to the backroom staff but regardless of the reasons, the timing was poor.

It wasn’t panic stations then, but it should well be now and the turnout on Wednesday night, welcoming Melbourne Heart, may well tell the story.

If there’s ever a time for Glory to make a stand, it’s midweek.

There were few surprises elsewhere in week 12 as the Melbourne Victory continued their dominance over Adelaide United.

Sydney FC got a solid point at home to the Brisbane Roar while Heart finally won on the road against the Jets.

Gold Coast United wrapped up the round with three points against Fury.


Melbourne Victory 2 (Robbie Kruse 21’, Carlos Hernandez 68’)
Adelaide United 1 (Iain Fyfe 1’)
Crowd: 16,269 @ Etihad Stadium

Adelaide broke another Australian national league record, most consecutive losses to the same opponent with a 2-1 loss to Melbourne Victory.

Despite making the perfect start through an Iain Fyfe header, the loss of Mathew Leckie led to United conceding twice.

Striker Robbie Kruse struck for the fifth time this season before Carlos Hernandez slotted into an open net to give Victory another win against the Reds.

Adelaide coach Rini Coolen was less than pleased with Surat Sukha’s tackle that ended Leckie’s evening, with scans on Monday to confirm the full extent of the damage.

Fans talked about United ending their losing streak against Victory to enhance their title credentials, but it wasn’t to be...for the 10th time in a row.

Melbourne Victory: 1. Michael PETKOVIC (gk), 2. Kevin MUSCAT (c), 5. Surat SUKHA (6. Leigh BROXHAM 69’), 8. Grant BREBNER, 9. RICARDINHO (3. Mate DUGANDZIC 46’), 12. Rodrigo VARGAS, 14. Billy CELESKI, 15. Tom PONDELJAK, 16. Carlos HERNANDEZ, 21. Robbie KRUSE (11. Marvin ANGULO 84’), 23. Adrian LEIJER
Unused sub: 20. Sebastian MATTEI (gk)
Yellow cards: Muscat 33’, Broxham 85’
Red cards: None

Adelaide United: 1. Eugene GALEKOVIC (gk), 2. Robert CORNTHWAITE, 4. Iain FYFE, 6. CASSIO, 7. Lucas PANTELIS (c), 8. Adam HUGHES, 9. Sergio VAN DIJK, 10. Marcos FLORES, 12. Paul REID, 19. Mathew LECKIE (18. Fabian BARBIERO 23’ (17. Iain RAMSAY 55’)), 24. Cameron WATSON (16. Inseob SHIN 79’)
Unused sub: 20. Mark BIRIGHITTI (gk)
Yellow cards: Barbiero 36’, Reid 76, Hughes 90+1’, Pantelis 90+2’
Red cards: None

Melbourne Victory
1. Michael PETKOVIC – 7
2. Kevin MUSCAT – 6
5. Surat SUKHA – 7
8. Grant BREBNER – 6
9. RICARDINHO – 6
12. Rodrigo VARGAS – 7
14. Billy CELESKI – 8
15. Tom PONDELJAK – 8
16. Carlos HERNANDEZ – 7
21. Robbie KRUSE – 8
23. Adrian LEIJER – 8
3. Mate DUGANDZIC – 7
6. Leigh BROXHAM – 7
11. Marvin ANGULO – 6		 Adelaide United
1. Eugene GALEKOVIC – 6
2. Robert CORNTHWAITE – 6
4. Iain FYFE – 6
6. CASSIO – 7
7. Lucas PANTELIS – 6
8. Adam HUGHES – 6
9. Sergio VAN DIJK – 6
10. Marcos FLORES – 6
12. Paul REID – 7
19. Mathew LECKIE – 7
24. Cameron WATSON – 5
18. Fabian BARBIERO – 6
17. Iain RAMSAY – 6
16. Inseob SHIN – 7

Man of the Match – Robbie Kruse just edges fellow Melbourne Victory player Tom Pondeljak. His equaliser turned the momentum in Melbourne's favour.

Weakest Player – The form of Kruse meant an unwelcome return for Adelaide United right-fullback Cameron Watson as he was given the run around on several occasions. Ratings by Matt Dorman
 

Sydney FC 1 (Alex Brosque 34’)
Brisbane Roar 1 (Luke DeVere 7’)
Crowd: 10,746 @ Sydney Football Stadium



Sydney FC took another step towards clearing off the bottom of the table with a draw against the Brisbane Roar.

Luke DeVere was the surprise opening scorer before his error allowed Sky Blues striker Alex Brosque to score goal number 36 in the league and move level third with Danny Allsopp on the all-time scoring list.

It was a good point less than a week after Sydney took their first win in Perth.

Again, Roar lacked a decisive blow in the final third with a number of players squandering chances.

The best of those fell to captain Matt McKay, who scooped a shot from close range over the bar late in the game.

Sydney FC: 20. Ivan NECEVSKI (gk), 3. Stephan KELLER, 5. Hayden FOXE, 6. Hirofumi MORIYASU, 9. Bruno CAZARINE, 12. Shannon COLE, 14. Alex BROSQUE, 15. Terry MCFLYNN (c) (2. Sebastian RYALL 90’), 19. Mark BRIDGE (8. Stuart MUSIALIK 85’), 21. Scott JAMIESON, 23. Rhyan GRANT (11. Kofi DANNING 77’)
Unused sub: 1. Liam REDDY (gk)
Yellow cards: Grant 32’, McFlynn 45+1’, Foxe 49’
Red cards: None

Brisbane Roar: 1. Michael THEOKLITOS (gk), 2. Matthew SMITH, 3. Luke DEVERE, 5. Ivan FRANJIC, 6. Erik PAARTALU, 8. Massimo MURDOCCA, 11. REINALDO (9. Jean Carlos SOLORZANO 69’), 12. Matt MUNDY, 15. Matt MCKAY (c), 17. Mitch NICHOLS (7. Kosta BARBAROUSES 46’), 22. Thomas BROICH
Unused subs: 20. Andrew REDMAYNE (gk), 23. Milan SUSAK
Yellow card: Mundy 23’
Red cards: None

Sydney FC
20. Ivan NECEVSKI – 7
3. Stephan KELLER – 6
5. Hayden FOXE – 7
6. Hirofumi MORIYASU – 6
9. Bruno CAZARINE – 6
12. Shannon COLE – 6
14. Alex BROSQUE – 7
15. Terry MCFLYNN – 7
19. Mark BRIDGE – 6
21. Scott JAMIESON – 6
23. Rhyan GRANT – 6
11. Kofi DANNING – 6
8. Stuart MUSIALIK – 6
2. Sebastian RYALL – 6		 Brisbane Roar
1. Michael THEOKLITOS – 6
2. Matthew SMITH – 7
3. Luke DEVERE – 6
5. Ivan FRANJIC – 6
6. Erik PAARTALU – 7
8. Massimo MURDOCCA – 6
11. REINALDO – 5
12. Matt MUNDY – 6
15. Matt MCKAY – 6
17. Mitch NICHOLS – 6
22. Thomas BROICH – 7
7. Kosta BARBAROUSES – 7
9. Jean Carlos SOLORZANO – 6
 

Man of the Match – A fairly lacklustre encounter make this hard to pick but Sydney FC's Hayden Foxe and Brisbane Roar's Matt Smith both put did admirable jobs in the centre of their respective defences.

Weakest Player – Brisbane Roar's Reinaldo had one of his more disappointing games as he failed to work into any real rhythm. - MD


Central Coast Mariners 5 (Rostyn Griffiths 36’, Matt Simon 59’, Adam Kwasnik 77’, Matthew Lewis 86’, Naum Sekulovski (og) 90’)
Perth Glory 0
Crowd: 10,746 @ Sydney Football Stadium


The horror run for Perth Glory extended to seven-straight losses with arguably their worst defeat, a 5-0 thumping at the hands of Central Coast Mariners.

Despite being in the game for the first half, Glory capitulated in the final half hour.

There were goals from everywhere, including one from youngster Matthew Lewis but the night was summed up by the fifth.

A cut back from the left led to Naum Sekulovski finding his own net in a shocking clanger with keeper Tando Velaphi left wondering why it was his turn, and not that of backup keeper Alex Vrteski, to be in goal.

Coach Ian Ferguson said changes were on the cards, but one has to wonder why they weren’t for the trip to Sydney after last week’s loss to the Sky Blues.

Central Coast Mariners: 20. Mathew RYAN (gk), 2. Daniel MCBREEN, 3. Joshua ROSE, 4. Pedj BOJIC (17. Chris DOIG 66’), 6. Patrick ZWAANSWIJK, 8. Rostyn GRIFFITHS (12. Matthew LEWIS 82’), 11. Oliver BOZANIC, 14. Michael MCGLINCHEY, 18. Alex WILKINSON (c), 19. Matt SIMON, 22. Mustafa AMINI (23. Adam KWASNIK 77’)
Unused sub: 30. Paul HENDERSON (gk)
Yellow card: McGlinchey 33’
Red cards: None

Perth Glory: 1. Tando VELAPHI (gk), 3. Jamie COYNE, 4. Andy TODD, 9. Robbie FOWLER, 11. Branko JELIC (10. Michael BAIRD 67’), 12. Scott NEVILLE (16. Adriano PELLEGRINO 46’), 14. Steven MCGARRY, 17. Todd HOWARTH, 19. Naum SEKULOVSKI, 21. Mile STERJOVSKI (22. Anthony SKORICH 77’), 25. Ryan PEARSON
Unused sub: 20. Alex VRTESKI (gk)
Yellow cards: None
Red cards: None

Central Coast Mariners
20. Mathew RYAN – 7
2. Daniel MCBREEN – 9
3. Joshua ROSE – 8
4. Pedj BOJIC – 9
6. Patrick ZWAANSWIJK – 8
8. Rostyn GRIFFITHS – 8
11. Oliver BOZANIC – 8
14. Michael MCGLINCHEY – 9
18. Alex WILKINSON – 8
19. Matt SIMON – 8
22. Mustafa AMINI – 9
17. Chris DOIG – 7
23. Adam KWASNIK – 8
12. Matthew LEWIS – 7		 Perth Glory
1. Tando VELAPHI – 5
3. Jamie COYNE – 4
4. Andy TODD – 5
9. Robbie FOWLER – 5
11. Branko JELIC – 5
12. Scott NEVILLE – 6
14. Steven MCGARRY – 6
17. Todd HOWARTH – 5
19. Naum SEKULOVSKI – 4
21. Mile STERJOVSKI – 5
25. Ryan PEARSON – 6
16. Adriano PELLEGRINO – 5
10. Michael BAIRD – 6
22. Anthony SKORICH – 5

Man of the match – The whole Mariners team was wonderful but Michael McGlinchey was particularly outstanding. He hardly put a foot wrong all night and was integral in the Mariners build up play. A special mention should also go to youngster Mustafa Amini who had a fantastic game on his A-League starting debut.

Weakest player – Perth Glory’s Jamie Coyne and Naum Sekulovski both had a fairly disastrous night at the office. However, one has to question the management at Glory. The club has now had seven straight losses and there has been little to indicate a reversal in this trend. Ratings by Arabella Vaughan

Newcastle Jets 0
Melbourne Heart 2 (Nick Kalmar 53’, Gerald Sibon 90+4’(pen))
Crowd: 3114 @ Port Macquarie Regional Sports Stadium



Melbourne Heart scored their first ever away win with a gritty 2-0 victory at Port Macquarie against Newcastle.

It took a brilliant strike from Nick Kalmar to set Heart on their way before striker Gerald Sibon beat the impressive Ben Kennedy from the spot in the fourth minute of stoppage time.

The Jets created a couple of chances but their lack of firepower upfront was evident.

Kalmar scored his third of the season with an acrobatic effort before Sibon nailed his second penalty of the season.

Despite their sturdy defence, Newcastle will need to show more in the attacking third to have any chance of moving towards the top six.

Newcastle Jets: 1. Ben KENNEDY (gk), 3. Adam D’APUZZO, 4. Nikolai TOPOR-STANLEY, 5. Ljubo MILICEVIC (c), 6. Ben KANTAROVSKI (13. Sasho PETROVSKI 76’), 7. Kasey WEHRMAN, 10. Ruben ZADKOVICH, 11. Tarek ELRICH, 14. Labinot HALITI (17. Marcello FIORENTINI 89’), 18. Marko JESIC (22. Kaz PATAFTA 67’), 19. Ali ABBAS
Unused subs: 40. Matthew NASH (gk)
Yellow card: Milicevic 88’
Red cards: None

Melbourne Heart: 1. Clint BOLTON (gk), 2. Michael MARRONE, 5. Michael BEAUCHAMP, 6. Matt THOMPSON (c) (4. Simon COLOSIMO 79’), 7. Rutger WORM (17. Jason HOFFMAN 87’), 9. Gerald SIBON, 10. Wayne SRHOJ, 20. Josip SKOKO, 22. Nick KALMAR (19. Eli BABALJ 71’), 24. Aziz BEHICH, 25. Adrian ZAHRA
Unused subs: 12. Peter ZOIS (gk)
Yellow card: Srhoj 76’
Red cards: None

Newcastle Jets
1. Ben KENNEDY – 7
3. Adam D’APUZZO – 7
4. Nikolai TOPOR-STANLEY – 6
5. Ljubo MILICEVIC – 6
6. Ben KANTAROVSKI – 8
7. Kasey WEHRMAN – 7
10. Ruben ZADKOVICH – 6
11. Tarek ELRICH – 6
14. Labinot HALITI – 6
18. Marko JESIC – 6
19. Ali ABBAS – 6
22. Kaz PATAFTA – 6
13. Sasho PETROVSKI – 6
17. Marcello FIORENTINI – 6		 Melbourne Heart
1. Clint BOLTON – 7
2. Michael MARRONE – 7
5. Michael BEAUCHAMP – 7
6. Matt THOMPSON – 8
7. Rutger WORM – 8
9. Gerald SIBON – 6
10. Wayne SRHOJ – 7
20. Josip SKOKO – 7
22. Nick KALMAR – 8
24. Aziz BEHICH – 7
25. Adrian ZAHRA – 7
19. Eli BABALJ – 6
4. Simon COLOSIMO – 6
17. Jason HOFFMAN – 6

Man of the match – It was a dead heat between Newcastle Jets’ Ben Kantarovski and Melbourne Heart’s Nick Kalmar. The two midfielders were both excellent today; Kantarovski’s game in particular will have attracted the attention of the national team managers.

Weakest player – Newcastle Jets’ attackers will have some questions to answer. Chance after chance was created by the midfield but no one seemed willing to step up and back himself to score. AV


North Queensland Fury 1 (Mark Hughes 45’)
Gold Coast United 2 (Adama Traore 11’, Dino Djulbic 85’)
Crowd: 7195 @ Dairy Farmers Stadium

Gold Coast United made it eight games without defeat thanks to a late Dino Djulbic header securing a 2-1 win over North Queensland Fury.

A fine team move ended with Adama Traore slotting into a virtually open net before Fury’s Mark Hughes pulled one back just before the break.

But Djulbic would prove to be the hero with his 85th minute winner.

Fury Football Operations Manager Robbie Middleby was forced to take the reins from the sidelines with the club’s suspended coaches stuck in the stand for the game.

As the league focuses on Adelaide United and Brisbane Roar, Miron Bleiberg’s team has settled into the top six and looks a genuine threat.

North Queensland Fury: 1. Justin PASFIELD (gk), 2. Jack HINGERT (9. Eugene SSEPPUYA 71’), 3. Brad MCDONALD, 4. Eric AKOTO (14. Chris GROSSMAN 19’), 5. Mark HUGHES, 6. Ufuk TALAY (c), 7. Gareth EDDS, 11. David WILLIAMS, 13. Andre KILIAN (10. Dyron DAAL 59’), 15. Chris PAYNE, 16. Simon STOREY
Unused sub: 28. Sebastian USAI (gk)
Yellow card: Hughes 13’
Red cards: None

Gold Coast United: 1. Glen MOSS (gk), 3. Michael THWAITE, 6. Dino DJULBIC, 7. Zenon CARAVELLA, 8. ANDERSON, 10. Jason CULINA (c), 14. Joel PORTER (5. ROBSON 82’), 16. Kristian REES, 18. James BROWN, 22. Adama TRAORE (2. Steve PANTELIDIS 76’), 23. Steve FITZSIMMONS (15. Tahj MINNIECON 65’)
Unused sub: 30. Jerrad TYSON (gk)
Yellow card: Djulbic 88’
Red cards: None

North Queensland Fury
1. Justin PASFIELD – 6
2. Jack HINGERT – 6
3. Brad MCDONALD – 6
4. Eric AKOTO – 6
5. Mark HUGHES – 7
6. Ufuk TALAY – 6
7. Gareth EDDS – 6
11. David WILLIAMS – 7
13. Andre KILIAN – 5
15. Chris PAYNE – 5
16. Simon STOREY – 6
14. Chris GROSSMAN – 7
10. Dyron DAAL – 6
9. Eugene SSEPPUYA – 6		 Gold Coast United
1. Glen MOSS – 7
3. Michael THWAITE – 7
6. Dino DJULBIC – 8
7. Zenon CARAVELLA – 8
8. ANDERSON – 7
10. Jason CULINA – 7
14. Joel PORTER – 8
16. Kristian REES – 7
18. James BROWN – 8
22. Adama TRAORE – 7
23. Steve FITZSIMMONS – 6
15. Tahj MINNIECON – 6
2. Steve PANTELIDIS – 6
5. ROBSON – 7

Man of the Match – Gold Coast United midfielder Zenon Caravella was in top form throughout the match; creating opportunities for his side and snuffing out opposition moves.

Weakest Player – North Queensland Fury's Chris Payne was simply a shadow of the player that we have seen so far this season. MD

Weekend Break: Wellington Phoenix
Mid-week: Perth Glory v Melbourne Heart @ nib Stadium and Wellington Phoenix v Brisbane Roar @ Westpac Stadium

Hyundai A-League 2010/11 League Table

Team   P W D L F A GD Pts
1 Adelaide United 12 7 4 1 21 11 10 25
2 Brisbane Roar 12 6 5 1 15 8 7 23
3 Central Coast Mariners 10 5 3 2 14 8 6 18
4 Gold Coast United 11 4 6 1 11 7 4 18
5 Melbourne Victory 13 4 5 4 16 14 2 17
6 Melbourne Heart 12 4 4 4 14 16 -2 16
7 Wellington Phoenix 11 3 3 5 14 18 -4 12
8 Perth Glory 12 3 2 7 12 23 -11 11
9 North Queensland Fury 11 2 4 5 16 19 -3 10
10 Newcastle Jets 10 1 5 4 5 8 -3 8
11 Sydney FC 12 1 5 6 14 20 -6 8

Hyundai A-League 2010/11 - Leading Goal-Scorers

5 – Robbie KRUSE, Sergio VAN DIJK

4 – Alex BROSQUE, Bruno CAZARINE, Chris GREENACRE, Paul IFILL, Mathew LECKIE, David WILLIAMS

3 – John ALOISI, Leo BERTOS, Bruce DJITE, Marcos FLORES, Nick KALMAR, Chris PAYNE, Iain RAMSAY, REINALDO, Matt SIMON, Mile STERJOVSKI

2 – Kosta BARBAROUSES, Thomas BROICH, Shannon COLE, Jason CULINA, Robbie FOWLER, Iain FYFE, Rostyn GRIFFITHS, Chris GROSSMAN, Carlos HERNANDEZ, Mark HUGHES, Branko JELIC, Daniel MCBREEN, Kevin MUSCAT, Scott NEVILLE, Mitch NICHOLS, Patricio PEREZ, Gerald SIBON, Shane SMELTZ, Alex TERRA

1 – Eli BABALJ, Michael BAIRD, Grant BREBNER, Michael BRIDGES, Jeremy BROCKIE, James BROWN, Tim BROWN, Leigh BROXHAM, Billy CELESKI, Isaka CERNAK, John CURTIS, Dyron DAAL, Luke DEVERE, Dino DJULBIC, Travis DODD, Mate DUGANDZIC, Ivan FRANJIC, Rhyan GRANT, Labinot HALITI, Jamie HARNWELL, Scott JAMIESON, Stephan KELLER, Adam KWASNIK, Matthew LEWIS, Terry MCFLYNN, Matt MCKAY, Daniel MULLEN, Erik PAARTALU, Tom PONDELJAK, RICARDINHO, Sean ROONEY, Ben SIGMUND, Jean Carlos SOLORZANO, Eugene SSEPPUYA, Simon STOREY, Matt THOMPSON, Adama TRAORE, Rodrigo VARGAS, Nick WARD, Alex WILKINSON, Rutger WORM, Patrick ZWAANSWIJK