Stand-in Head Coach Richard Garcia praised the PGFC Academy First Team’s resolve after they secured a hard-earned 1-1 draw with Armadale at Alfred Skeet Reserve.
Both goals came after the break, Joe Knowles firing home his eighth of the season from close-range to give the visitors the lead, only for Chris Jackson to head the hosts back on to level terms six minutes later.
Jake Brimmer then saw his penalty saved as Glory pressed for a late winner that Garcia felt would have been a just reward for a gutsy physical and mental display from his young charges.
“I felt that we deserved all three points,” he said.
“Armadale had one thing in mind and that was to stop us. They were cunning in terms of the mind games they played with both our players and the officials. But we still had enough chances to have won the game, including Jake’s penalty and I’m very proud of how the lads stood up to the challenge.
“Last year, they might have been happy enough with a draw from a game like this, so the fact that they were all really disappointed at the final whistle shows how far they’ve come. They are progressing in leaps and bounds as a group and it’s very encouraging to see.”
The result saw Glory climb from fourth spot on the NPL WA ladder up to third ahead of what is shaping up to be a crunch clash with second-placed Cockburn City on Saturday.
Kick off at Dalmatinac Park is at 3pm.
Match Details
NPL WA 2018 Season Round 11
Armadale 1 (Jackson 62′) Perth Glory 1 (Knowles 56′)
Alfred Skeet Reserve
Referee: Matthew Southern
Assistant Referees: Arvin Shanmuganathan, Harry Bolan
Armadale: 1. Sam HUTCHINGS (GK), 2. Joshua KUSER, 3. Delan DE SILVA, 4. Nathan COSTELLO (c ), 7. Charlie KENNA, 9. Billy QUINNCROFT, 10. Chris JACKSON, 11. Michael RIZIDIS (17. James ATKINS 73), 12. Dannie RICHMAN, 15. Ali GHOLAMI (5. David ANNALL 77), 21. Beau RAHIM
Substitutes not used: 34. Duncan LENNON-BLACK, 14.Jonathon BOGONI, 16. Charlie SIMPSON
Yellow cards: De Silva 75, Kenna 80, Quinncroft 86
Red cards: Nil
Perth Glory: 1. Jackson LEE (GK), 2. Luca BODNAR, 3. Walter SCOTT, 4. Sam RIAK, 5. Ollie ANNIS, 6. Callum TIMMINS, 7. Yacoub MUSTAFA, 8. Henry HORE (15.Jacob ITALIANO 64), 9. Joseph KNOWLES, 10. Jake BRIMMER, 11. Chok DAU (12. Daniel STYNES 54)
Substitutes not used: 13. Zayd FARAH, 14. Jack LEECH, 20. Nicholas SPECA
Yellow cards: Knowles 41, Timmins 80
Red cards: Nil
#CREATEDESTINY
Photo courtesy of Fotoenzo
With thanks to Tristan Wheeler and Football West
