Perth Glory opens its 2015 PS4 National Premier League WA season with an away trip to Alfred Skeet Oval to take on Armadale.
It will be a home coming for Glory defender Nathan Costello, who came up through the ranks of the eastern suburbs club.
The 20-year-old, who was outstanding in Glory’s defence during the Foxtel National Youth League this season, said it will be strange playing against the Reds.
“It won’t feel like an away game for me, as I’ve been at the club for the last nine years, and only live ten minutes away from the ground. So I’m looking forward to the game against a club I still have a lot of passion for,” Costello explained.
“I still have a lot of good mates at the club, so it will be interesting being on the other side, but of course we will be looking to get three points on the board in the first game of the season.”
Costello said his time at Alfred Skeet Oval has been important in his football development.
He started his football at Kelmscott, but moved to the Armadale Academy and played through the juniors, to eventually play Under 18’s, reserves and then first team.
“I loved my time at Armadale, and got two and half years of games under my belt in the state league and NPL, so for that I’m grateful,” he said.
“But on Saturday once I cross that white line I’ll be doing all I can to get the points and get our season started with a win.”
Glory head Coach John Gibson has a good squad going into the season, and Costello said the mix looks right.
“The squad is looking good, and there are quite a few changes from the NPL last year, so I think other clubs will have to be more cautious with us,” he said.
“We’re hungry to get back into it and win games after the way the NYL finished for us, and the last time the lads played at Armadale they won, so we will be looking for a repeat.”
It’s been a hectic week at Armadale, with Coach Lee Bamber leaving the club.
The former Perth Glory goalkeeping coach gave Costello his first team debut, and the defender said it was a surprise seeing him leave.
“It’s a shame that he left, but football is ever changing and I’m sure he will still remain in the game,” he said.
“Lee gave me my debut for the club in the senior side and he was loyal to me in the three seasons, so I’m grateful to him.”
The under 18’s kick off at 11am, Under 20’s at 1pm, while the first team kicks off at 3pm.
The Armadale Soccer Club ground is located at Forrest Road, Forrestdale.
Admission is $10, but $6 for pensioners and concession card holders, while children under 15 can enter for free.
Perth Glory FC NPL squad: GK Ryan Barker, Ali Gholami, Calvin Whitney, Gian Albano, Henry Durr, Jacob Collard, Jordan Franken, Joseph Knowles, Matthew Ntoumenopoulos , Nathan Costello, Waliedin Ismail , Sean Troup, Slobodan Vulin, Todd Norris, Tom King, Jesse Lazzaro, Nic Talindzioski, Stefan Valentini.
