It was a good start to the year for Perth Glory following a home win on Thursday night at Perth Oval, bringing the club’s six-game winless run to an end.

The 2-1 victory against Wellington Phoenix was sweet, given the team hadn’t won a game since its November 18 meet with Adelaide United.

Things weren’t looking too good for Glory in the first half, when Wellington’s Rory Krishna came through at the 11th minute with a goal, opening up its opponent’s defence. But it wasn’t too long before captain Rostyn Griffiths stepped up to equalise at halftime.

Andy Keogh delivered a cross to Adam Taggart who scored, before things took a turn, with Wellington being reduced to a 10-man squad after Krishna was dealt a controversial red card.

But the home team wasn’t complaining, with the win elevating them just three points behind Melbourne City.

In day two of Round 14, fourth-placed Melbourne City came head to head with Western Sydney Wanderers at AAMI Park tonight, as the home team tried to overcome the loss of coach John van ‘t Schip with short-term replacement Michael Valkanis.

On Saturday the Newcastle Jets will head north to take on Brisbane Roar, while Adelaide United and Melbourne Victory will continue their rivalry with a home game in the Red’s heartland.

While Victory will no doubt be confident given their second spot on the ladder against 10th-placed United, midfielder Oliver Bozanic says the club will still be prepared and on guard. “Even though they have struggled so far during the season it doesn’t mean it won’t be a tough game and we believe it will be a tough game and we’re ready for a fight,” Bozanic said.

Then on Sunday, New South Wales will come alive as ladder leader Sydney FC takes on the Central Coast. But the team are unlikely to be put off by the Mariner’s supportive fan base at home, as they enter Round 14 on the back of their highest-recorded win against Canberra United 6-1.