Melbourne Heart's impressive A-League recovery continued on Sunday with a 2-1 win over Perth Glory in Albury.
A week after his brilliant individual effort sealed all three points late on at home to Sydney FC, David Williams was the match-winner again for Heart.
The 25-year-old forward came off the bench to net the decisive goal and make it an improbable three wins from four attempts for the previously hapless team in red and white, who are now unbeaten since losing away to the Glory on Jan. 10.
Williams' 12th strike for the club also saw him become the joint leading scorer in Heart's brief A-League history, along with Eli Babalj.
Defender Patrick Kisnorbo had given Heart the lead five minutes into the second half. Steven McGarry equalised for the Glory with 17 minutes to go, before Williams intervened to see John van 't Schip's resurgent side close to within eight points of a finals berth.
Wellington Phoenix occupy sixth spot following their 3-2 victory at the Newcastle Jets on Sunday -- and it is the New Zealand side who are up next for Heart at Westpac Stadium in round 19.
An early Carlos Hernandez goal was cancelled out by Craig Goodwin after 25 minutes at Hunter Stadium before Stein Huysegems gave the visitors a 2-1 half-time lead.
Goodwin's second goal early in the second half levelled the scores before substitute Jason Hicks grabbed the winner with a well-taken strike in the 71st minute.
The win saw the Phoenix move into the top six while the Jets remained second-bottom and in danger of falling out of finals contention.
Soccer Hot News
Fletcher nearing Sunderland return
Sunderland’s Steven Fletcher could make his return from an Achilles injury in time for Saturday’s trip to Arsenal, Gus Poyet has revealed.
The Scot has not featured for the Stadium of Light outfit since coming off the bench in his side’s 1-0 victory over Stoke City on January 29.
But, with the striker set to return to training on Wednesday, coach Poyet is hopeful he could be in contention for this weekend’s visit to the Emirates Stadium.
“He will start tomorrow with us,” the Uruguayan told the Sunderland Echo. “Then, depending on how he feels, we can either accelerate him for Arsenal or make sure he is right for the final (Sunderland face Manchester City in the League Cup final on March 2).
“He’s had a programme with the expectation that he will be able to play at Arsenal.
“I don’t know Achilles injuries, but for people I have known, they are always worried about feeling something, so we’ll have to see how he is.
“Perfection would be for him to play against Arsenal. I would like to have him for then, even if it’s on the bench.
“That would be a great situation for him to feel part of the group again and playing.
“If not, I would like to think he will be alright for the final.”
Fletcher has scored just three goals in 22 appearances in all competitions for Sunderland this season.
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