Soccer: Perth destroy Parramatta

A hat-trick by Bobby Despotovski sparked Perth Glory's 6-1 home victory over Parramatta Power and a five-point lead in the Australian NSL top-six playoffs.

A win over Adelaide City Force this week will almost certainly guarantee Perth home advantage for the June 1 grand final, which is likely to be a replay of last season's final where Olympic Sharks stunned the huge Perth crowd with their 1-0 win.

Perth's win reversed their earlier playoff loss to Parramatta and took their winning streak to five matches.

Brad Maloney celebrated his 300th NSL game by giving the visitors the lead in the 23rd minute. Damian Mori got Perth back to 1-1 before halftime.

Then Despotovski struck, with three in quick succession. Mori added his second and Nick Mrdja completed the rout.

Joel Porter played the key role in the Olympic Sharks' 3-0 away win over Northern Spirit. After missing three clear chances, Porter scored in the 54th and 59th minutes to complete the victory after Ante Milicic had scored a cracking 38th-minute opener.

In the other game Adelaide City Force kept their slim hopes alive with a 1-0 away victory over winless Newcastle United.

The only goal was a Goran Lozanovski penalty after Scott Baillie had brought down Aurelio Vidmar in the 76th minute.