Huge crowd watch on in Albany as Adam Taggart converts brace to lift Glory to strong pre-season win over Jets

Perth Glory have ended their pre-season regional trip on a high courtesy of a 2-0 victory over Newcastle Jets after a physical and fiery match in front of a huge crowd in Albany. The intensity of the two A-League club’s second and final friendly match rivalled the vigour and passion of a regular season fixture as both side’s grappled with the troubling blustery conditions. Socceroo and club captain Adam Taggart proved he still has his golden boot touch and was pivotal in the stellar victory, netting a match-defining brace much to the delight of the 2,022-strong crowd who crammed into Retravision Stadium. Glory coach David Zdrilic made two changes from their 3-2 loss to the Jets match in Bunbury just two days ago with centre back Andriano Lebib and winger Abdelelah Faisal replacing Kaelan Majekodunmi and Jarrod Carluccio in the starting 11. Colombian winger Cristian Caceido was again subbed after half an hour with limited impact and Faisal was a live-wire down the left-hand side with menacing runs into the box creating headaches for the Jets back four. Lebib was solid in defence before making way at half time for Columbian Luis Canga, who built on his debut in Bunbury and Taggart was withdrawn in the second half after finding the net twice. Glory’s newfound high press paid immediate dividends when Taggart pounced on a turnover on the edge of the 18-yard box to open the scoring within the first five minutes. Taggart, spinning as he shot, belted the ball into a Jets defender deflecting it fortuitously over Jets goalkeeper Ryan Scott into the far corner. Moments later, the fragility of the Glory’s high line reared its head when Jets star Brazilian import Wellissol got out the back with a barnstorming run down the left wing before pulling the trigger from a tight angle, only to be met by a strong hand from keeper Oliver Sail. Glory then made it 2-0 in the 12th minute when the Glory’s marksman converted a penalty, courtesy of a vicious cross from Faisal which struck the hand of a Jets defender forcing the referee to point to the spot. Josh Risdon was lucky to only be shown a yellow card midway through the first half for his dangerous sliding tackle on Jets midfielder and Glory youth product Callum Timmins, who lasted just 10 more minutes following the collision before being substituted. Glory fans were starved of action in the second half, with the Jets generating most of the dangerous chances and back-up keeper Cameron Cook was thrown into the thick of the action almost instantly. Cook was required twice in a minute when he tipped a wayward cross that threatened to sneak inside the far post over the bar before comfortably trapping a low-driven shot. He then provided perhaps the highlight of the second half with a stunning one-handed reflex save from a powerful head from Justin Vidic as the Jets continued to press. The Jets continued to push late, but the Glory defence held on for a clean sheet, giving the Albany fans plenty to cheer about.