Report by Jayden Lihou

Perth Glory are just one win away from securing the NPL WA title after they defeated Armadale 3-1 at Alfred Skeet Reserve on Saturday.

Victory in either of their two remaining matches against Cockburn City and Subiaco will be enough for John Gibson's side to clinch their first NPL championship.

“It wasn’t our most stylish performance but I thought we were resilient and resolute throughout the whole game,” the Glory coach said.

“I think everyone’s been waiting for us to drop off and that’s not happened, so hopefully we can just continue what we’re doing, be consistent and only worry about ourselves.

“You don’t get many opportunities like this as a player and as a coach, so we’re really looking forward to playing Cockburn next weekend at home.”

The opening goal came after just four minutes when an unmarked Michael McDougall received the ball in the box and slotted past home keeper Sam Hutchings.

Armadale to their credit responded well and fashioned a good chance to score in the 30th minute when Chris Jackson got past his defender on the wing.

The forward made his way to the byline before crossing the ball towards Friday Zico at the far post but his volleyed effort was kept out by keeper Jackson Lee.

Armadale had another chance to equalise in the 64th minute when the ball was switched to Ryan Haslett in the box, however the substitute's near-post shot was saved.

Glory doubled their lead five minutes later when the ball was crossed to Bayley Brown-Montgomery at the far post and he headed the ball into the open net.

The result was put beyond doubt in the 85th minute when Michael Domfeh was put through on goal and the captain made no mistake.

NPL WA top scorer Jackson gave the home crowd something to cheer in stoppage time as he found the back of the net after the Glory defence failed to clear but other than boosting his Golden Boot prospects, it was too little, too late.

Despite the loss Armadale coach John O’Reilly said the Belt Up Cup winners performed better than in their 5-0 thrashing by Floreat last week.

“It was definitely an improvement from last week, the boys were a little bit more awake today,” he said.

“Credit to Glory though, I thought they defended well and they punished us even though they created very few chances.

“It just feels like it’s been a long season with the cup run and I think that’s starting to take its toll on us at the moment.

“We have two games left against Sorrento and Cockburn so hopefully we can finish the season on a winning note.”

Armadale 1 (Jackson 90+3min)
Perth Glory 3 (McDougall 4, Brown-Montgomery 69, Domfeh 87)
Saturday, August 11
Alfred Skeet Reserve
Kick-off: 3pm
Referee: Tom Glavovic
Assistant referees: Jatin Lodhia, Troy Malatesta

Armadale: 1. Sam HUTCHINGS (GK), 2. Josh KUSER, 4. Nathan COSTELLO (22. Ryan HASLETT 61), 7. Charlie KENNA (8. Michael LAWSON 73), 9. Billy QUINNCROFT (C), 10. Christopher JACKSON, 12. Dannie RICHMAN, 14. Milan OGNJENOVIC, 15. Ali GHOLAMI, 16. Charlie SIMPSON, 20. Friday ZICO (17. James ATKINS 68), 21. Beau RAHIM
Substitutes not used: 3. Delan DE SILVA, 34. Duncan LENNON-BLACK (RGK)
Yellow cards: Zico 42
Red cards: Nil

Perth Glory: 1. Jackson LEE (GK), 2. Nic MCDONALD, 3. Sam RINK, 4. Daniel WALSH, 5. Ollie ANNIS, 6. Jack LEECH, 7. Trent OSTLER, 8. Callum TIMMINS, 9. Michael DOMFEH (C), 10. Michael MCDOUGALL, 11. Bayley BROWN-MONTGOMERY
Substitutes not used: 12. Aiden EDWARDS, 13. Jordan ABRAHAMS, 14. Callum TIMMINS, 15. Sasa NTLGIC, 20. Nicholas SPECA
Yellow cards: Brown-Montgomery 79
Red cards: Nil