A debut goal from Scottish international Ryan Fraser has given new Wanderers head coach Gary van Egmond his first win in charge of the club, as they defeated Perth Glory 1-0 at CommBank Stadium.
Wanderers goalkeeper Lawrence Thomas was called upon twice in the space of 90 seconds as he first denied Adam Taggart from close range in the 21st minute before then flying to his right to palm away Tom Lawrence’s freekick that was bound for the back of the net.
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Thomas was then forced into action once again, this time on the approach to half time as he stuck out a strong left arm to counter Nicholas Pennington’s volley from inside the box.
With the home side needing some spark, head coach Gary van Egmond introduced new loan signing Ryan Fraser to the home crowd in the 60th minute and his presence immediately lifted the Wanderers.
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Slipped through on goal, substitute Bozhidar Kraev drilled a low shot towards the far post which was well saved by goalkeeper Matt Sutton in the 67th minute to record the home side’s first shot on target in the match,
With momentum beginning to swing the home side’s way Fraser had two shots blocked inside the box in quick succession before the ball fell to Angus Thurgate, however the midfielder launched his effort over the bar.
Fraser was then the width of a post away from capping his debut in style but his deft, flicked effort at the near post crashed back off the woodwork and away to safety for Perth.
The Wanderers had claims for penalty turned down in the 89th minute, with a VAR review confirming the ball hit Glory defender Brian Kaltak in the head and not on the arm.
Now throwing everything at the Glory defence Lual smashed an effort off the crossbar before Fraser forced an incredible save from Sutton but the dam eventually broke at the resulting corner.
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Sutton punched the in-swinging delivery away but only into the path of the unmarked Fraser and the Scot did the rest; lashing a ferocious half-volley through a sea of bodies and into the back of the net to win it for the Wanderers.
The win takes the Wanderers off the bottom of the Isuzu UTE A-League ladder in a timely boost ahead of next weekend’s Sydney Derby.
As for the Glory, Adam Griffith’s side sit just a point ahead of the Wanderers in 10th following their third loss in five matches.
WHAT THEY SAID
Wanderers hero Ryan Fraser spoke to Paramount+ after bagging the winner on his debut.
