Defenders spark Glory's win over Wanderers

Gregory Wuthrich's 18th-minute header set them on their way before fellow defender Alex Grant secured the three points with a clinical finish in the second half.

It was the Wanderers who threatened inside two minutes when a neat through ball found Kwame Yeboah. Liam Reddy did well to block his effort with the rebound falling kindly to Mitchell Duke whose curling shot struck the angle of post and crossbar.

Glory responded quickly and Wanderers goalkeeper Nicholas Suman was forced to save from Chris Ikonomidis and Diego Castro.

The deadlock was broken when Neil Kilkenny's corner was flicked on by Tomislav Mrcela to Bruno Fornaroli. The Uruguayan's overhead kick found the head of Ikonomidis and when his effort struck the woodwork, Wuthrich was on hand to nod home the rebound for his first goal for the club.

Despite enjoying more possession, Western Sydney registered just one shot on target in the opening 45 minutes.

At the other end, some neat build up play involving Castro and Ivan Franjic gave Farnaroli a sight of goal, but his shot was straight at Suman.

Wanderers introduced bustling striker Alexander Meier at halftime in a bid to end a run of five consecutive defeats and again they took the contest to the home side without threatening the goal.

The hosts went close to doubling their lead on the hour as Ikonimidis flashed a header across goal and wide from James Meredith's cross. Moments later, Meredith cut inside on his right foot, but his tame shot was comfortably saved.

Glory's second arrived from a Jake Brimmer free kick on 67 minutes, with his delivery taking a nick off a Wanderers defender before falling to Grant who took one touch and fired low past Suman.

Wanderers tried to reduce their arrears with Meier denied by Reddy while Keanu Baccus and substitute Daniel Wilmering both shot over.

Glory saw out the rest of the game in front of 6177 supporters to make it back-to-back wins for the first time this season.

Australian Associated Press