Perth Glory have extended their lead at the top of the A-League table to six points after cruising to a 4-1 win over Central Coast Mariners this afternoon.
Danny Vukovic came under pressure in the home side's goal early in the match when Nick Fitzgerald looked for the back of the net from range, but Perth soon started to take control.
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Glory broke the deadlock just over half an hour into the tie when Chris Harold tapped in from a Sidnei pass across the face of goal after Andrew Keogh had played the ball forward.
It took the hosts just a couple of minutes to double their lead as Harold was involved again, this time setting up Keogh for a simple finish after Liam Reddy gave the ball away at the back.
The visitors gave themselves a chance in the second half when Matt Simon got a goal back for the Mariners, slotting the ball into the bottom corner.
Any hopes that the visitors had of completing the comeback were soon dealt a blow though, as Danny de Silva blasted the ball in from 25 yards out, hitting it on the turn to volley past Reddy.
Harold completed his brace with just over 10 minutes to play, working with Keogh again before sending a curling finish past the Central Coast keeper.
Fitzgerald had a chance to add a late consolation for the visitors when they were awarded a free kick near the corner flag, but Vukovic came off his line to claim it before anyone could get their head to the delivery.
Jamie MacLaren came within a couple of inches of a fifth for Perth in stoppage time when he struck the post with a driven effort from the edge of the box.
The result keeps Perth at the top of the table, six points clear of Melbourne Victory, while Central Coast remain eighth.
Sian Cowper
