Joshua Anasmo headed the only goal of the game as the PGFC Academy First Team secured the Regional Cup with a deserved 1-0 win over Sorrento FC at Geraldton’s Wonthella Oval on Saturday.
Glory created the best of the chances throughout a hard-fought contest played out in windy conditions on a tricky surface, with only the frame of the goal preventing Anasmo from adding a second goal moments after his first and Ciaran Bramwell, Giordano Colli and Charlie Leech also going close.
The all-important goal arrived midway through the second half when the Sorrento defence failed to deal with a long throw launched into the box by Joseph Forde and Anasmo showed great athleticism to outjump his marker and nod home.
The result lifts the youngsters to within a point of the fourth-placed Gulls on the NPL WA ladder and Chris Coyne, who took charge of the team due to Ruben Zadkovich’s commitments with the A-League side, was understandably delighted with the outcome.
“The lads’ resilience and mentality were excellent,” he said, “as was their game management and the way they dealt with the conditions.
“They answered all the questions that the opposition’s direct style asked of them and I thought we were worthy winners based on chances created.”
The game was hosted in Geraldton as part of Football West’s Regional Festival of Football, with the Glory squad attending junior games on Sunday morning to engage with the local football community.
There were no games over the weekend for the Under-18s or Under-20s, but all three sides will return to NPL WA action on Saturday with a trip to seventh-placed Inglewood United.
The Under-18s will get things underway at 11am, followed by the Under-20s at 1pm and the First Team at 3pm.
Match Details
Perth Glory 1 (Anasmo 67′) Sorrento FC 0
Half-time: 0-0
Referee: David Bruce
Perth Glory: 30.CameronCOOK (GK), 3.Jacob MUIR, 4.Mason TATAFU, 5.Joseph FORDE, 6.Nick SULLIVAN, 7.Ciaran BRAMWELL, 8.Chris DONNELL, 9.Charlie LEECH, 10.Giordano COLLI (c), 11.Adam ZIMARINO, 13.Aidan COYNE
Substitutes: 1.Sam REILLY (GK), 2.Jack ANDREWS, 12.Joshua ANASMO, 15.Andrew MARANTA, 17.Bryce BAFFORD
Sorrento FC: 1.Connor CAMPBELL (GK), 4.Shaun KILKELLY (C), 7.Alexander MORGAN, 8.Scott WITSCHGE, 10.Oli ANNIS, 11.Tim HILL, 14.Jordan POKLER, 16.Ryan MCLAUGHLIN, 18.Jordan BROWN, 20.Jordan ROBERTS, 23.Neil GILLIES
Substitutes: 9.Billy QUINNCROFT, 12.Joe TWEATS, 15.Tristan STEVENS, 60.Matthew GIUDICATTI
(picture courtesy of Gavin Box)
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