A-League wrap: Wanderers hold on for gritty win

A 10-man Western Sydney Wanderers have held on for a 1-0 win over Perth Glory at nib Stadium on Sunday.

The visitors lost Youssouf Hersi in the 38th minute when referee Kris Griffiths sent him packing after he kicked out at Glory left back Scott Jamieson.

However, despite having a one-man advantage for nearly an hour, Perth were unable to break through the stubborn Western Sydney defence in the second half as they piled numbers behind the ball.

The result ends the Glory’s three-game home winning streak to start the season and moves the Wanderers into fifth on the A-League ladder behind Perth on goal difference.

Western Sydney hit the lead in the 15th minute when Lacopo La Rocca rose above the pack to head home a cross from the right, and it turned out to be the match winner.

Meanwhile, Wellington Phoenix striker Jeremy Brockie has heaped misery on his former club with two goals in his side’s 3-0 win over the Newcastle Jets at Hunter Stadium.

Brockie was let go by the Jets at the end of last season and he made them rue that decision when he scored in the 44th and 81st minutes to put the Phoenix two goals ahead after the Jets had dominated possession and territory but were unable to convert in the final third due to outstanding defending from the visitors.

Paul Ifill sealed the gritty victory with a penalty three minutes before full-time.

To rub salt into the wound the Jets had in-form goalkeeper Mark Birighitti stretchered from the field with a suspected broken cheekbone midway through the second half when he clashed with Brockie while making a smothering save.

The win sees the Phoenix move from the foot of the A-League ladder and into sixth place on eight points.