No Glory on Final Matchday

Today was the conclusion of the 2022-23 Isuzu Ute A-League (What a mouthful!) for Perth Glory and also Western United as both teams failed to mount any serious threat for finals football. While Perth have been dreadful over the past few seasons since the departure of Tony Popovic, the continuation of Tony Sage's antics and simply the continual dreadful performances, it was somewhat of a surprise that Perth even were in this position. As for Western United, the defending champions were struggling and have been highly controversial on and off the field since their creation. Which in itself is highly controversial as they still do not have a home and the name just really rubs me up the wrong way with such a bland, generic and soulless name that does not essentially represent West Melbourne. However, I am not here to talk about Western United and to poke holes at their existence and even Perth Glory's woes on and off the field since 2020. I am here to talk about the here and now, so let us do just that my dear readers.

While Perth's slim finals chances had all but been extinguished with their last few matches being poor and not collecting the full points, with the exception of the Adelaide match where they should have held onto the three points especially due to their hard work in the second half; it would have been nice to have the home side sign off the season on a positive note and chalk up a positive result for the supporters, what is left of them.

However, this was not to be the case and Perth Glory were not able to find their feet and to mount any serious threat to the green and black men of the...west of... Melbourne, who were simply in control for the match and would not let Perth pose a serious threat, besides the odd foray into their goals but only to be comfortably dealt with by their solid defence. They opened the scoring in the 25th minute and really took the wind out of Perth's flagging sails. It was going to be a struggle from that point.

Though Perth managed to snatch one goal just prior to half time and breathed some life back into the contest and put some fire into the home side's chests. It was there and brewing that something could resonate with that moment. Though this would not be the case and the visitors had other plans to send their Italian stalwart Alessandro Diamanti into retirement on a high note with a win. Western United score their second, the match winner in the 53rd minute and the match ended, finally drawing the curtains on a rather below average Perth season, 1-2 to Western United.

Any sane or normal person would have learned from his mistakes and not repeat them. However, as this is a blog about food and beverages at football matches mainly, I have to perform my civic duty and buy something to eat and drink and report back to you all about it. I have said it once, and I will just simply have to say it yet again and again; the food quality at HBF park is dreadful. It is bland, tasteless, overpriced and poor proportionally. The meat lovers pizza, was bland and tasted like something that you would buy from Coles or Woolworths. Now that is not a problem if you were buying one of those pizzas from the supermarket. The problem is that you pay 14 dollars for something that is firstly overpriced, secondly is disappointing portion wise and thirdly tasteless. My taxes go into this VenuesWest outfit and this is what is dished out. Dreadful. 

To finish the season and to wash down the terrible pizza, a Captain Morgan mid-strength rum was required and was 12.50. If only it was full-strength and that would be a win. I didn't decide to go for a bottle of cool drink this time as I was over it all by this stage and that would have been 6 dollars anyway. That wraps up another season at Perth Glory and like a bad marriage for almost 30 years, it has been one event after the other and just blend and blurs. Though it is always a pleasure to spend time with good friends and talk over many things. Of course I will be returning for season 2023-24. I am a sucker for punishment.

Adelaide get into a Glorious Goal Fest

Perth Glory hosted Adelaide United in a rather rare HBF Park appearance for this A-League season due to the FIFA Womens World Cup being held later this year. This was caused due to renovations done to the stadium in preparations for the event. However, I struggled to see anything that had changed at HBF Park as I was curious to see where the 25 million dollars went from the Western Australian Labor government which caused such a mess about with Perth Glory and having to play virtually all their home games at Macedonia Park. A shame that I was unable to attend any of these matches due to work, family and even 'sell outs' preventing me from enjoying the games at a very cosy and loved venue. However, I have digressed and will get back on topic here ha-ha.

This is the second last home game of the season for Perth Glory and I am thankful that I have been able to see some football at least for this season as we all know the last few years have been nothing but a complete unnecessary muck around with all things sport and outside of that. With that said, it was a lovely warm Perth Autumn's afternoon with the sun bathing the eastern grandstand and the pitch. An ideal setting for some football and the drama that would unfold.

Perth were not off to a great start, with Adelaide looking threatening each time they had the ball and ventured forward into their attacking half. However, football is essentially a simple game and you just need to score goals. Perth stitched together about 5 minutes of good football and it all connected. They took the lead and it was a rather hard fought goal that indicated to the fans that despite the disruptions of the season and the weak squad and coaching abilities lacking, there was some fight in Perth and perhaps through determination, the 3 points could be locked in for the home side against third placed Adelaide.

However, this is Perth Glory we are talking about and I have been around watching this team for 25 years to know that even with a lead, they are moments away from spectacular disappointment. Within 2 minutes Adelaide levelled the score and was 1 a piece. Back to square one and it really took the wind out of Perth sails. Adelaide were in control and didn't look like giving up anything to Perth as their defence were faltering, their midfield wasn't connecting and their attacking power just wasn't firing. Then Adelaide hit lead from a Craig Goodwin strike in the 51st minute. Adelaide 2, Perth 1.

Perth were shocked and definitely were knocked about and were struggling to find their feet. Though they were building their confidence and starting to press the Adelaide defensive lines, Perth were beginning to look threatening. An Adam Taggart goal in the 60th minute had breathed new life into the contest and into Perth, firing up the small crowd and levelled at 2 all.

Perth grew in confidence and were able to move the ball around and press up and mount numerous challenges. Unfortunately they just were not able to convert threats into goals and that would prove costly as Adelaide stung them in the 78th minute from a Ryan Kitto goal. Adelaide were now 2-3 in the lead. This was a crucial blow and had rattled Perth for a few minutes where they struggled to get back on their feet. Though Perth were not going to throw in the towel and found the fire in the belly to keep pressing on to level the score.

Adam Zimarino fired in Perth's third goal and I have not seen such passion in this side in such a very long time. This levelled the scores at 3 a piece and looked like that this match would be wrapped up with a 6 goal slug-fest where it really shouldn't have even come close to this. Though what was going to unfold within the next 7 minutes would make you laugh in disbelief and stunned over the drama that would play out.

Adam Taggart found the back of the net in the 96th minute and thumped it home and the small Perth Oval crowd were over the top and sent them into delirium, Perth had finally hit the lead for only the second time of the match with only a few minutes to go, the crowd and myself included thought that this was enough to wrap up the 3 points. However, this is the A-League and Perth Glory; drama was only a moment away.

A moment of unfortunate mistakes with Perth's defensive lines faltering at the most inconvenient time gave Adelaide just a glimmer. Just that little sniff of opportunity gave them what they needed and they scored. Stunning Perth and the crowd, but stunning themselves and wrapping the scores up at 4 all in the 97th minute. What an exhaustive match and an action filled last 10 minutes of the match that had to push it into injury time. Of course now I will have to talk about the food and beverages.

I had a crispy chicken burger, now that sounds great on paper but when I got it, I was very, very disappointed. It was basically all bread, two skinny, pathetic chicken strips and the most smallest piece of tomato that melted into the bread you had no idea it was there. You would only know that it was there if you saw it. The sauce wasn't too bad and the chicken was tasty but it was just so underwhelming and sad. A total waste of 12.50, though having single fin mid strength beer to wash that down for 10.40 was nice, though full strength would have been better. Later in the match I had a vanilla coke that was 6.20. again, over 5 dollars is ridiculous but that is the silly world we live in currently with inflation.

The burger was terrible, mid strength beers are always a let down for me and an over-priced cola aside, it is always an interesting day out watching Perth. Gosh, growing up with this side is like being part of a family. You go through the highs and lows and see all their faults, warts and all. You get frustrated but then you feel proud at their hard work when it pays off. Yet again another game watching Perth and I am sure that there will be more drama in the next match. Never a dull moment.