A well-taken brace from ECU Joondalup’s Daryl Nicol consigned the PGFC Academy First Team to a 2-0 defeat in Saturday’s NPL WA clash at The Campus.
Glory were looking to make it three games unbeaten in the Round 7 fixture against the high-flying Jacks, but despite creating a string of excellent chances throughout an absorbing contest, were ultimately unable to get the better of Kenny Lowe’s men.
Nicol fired home his and ECU’s first goal in the 26th minute following a quickly-taken free-kick and his second came on the hour-mark when he was set free down the right by Declan Hughes and cut inside before applying a composed finish.
And yet it was the visitors who began the brighter, Adam Zimarino foiled by home ‘keeper Jonny Perkins having been played in by Josh Rawlins and Joshua Anasmo also going close with a glancing header.
Perkins went on to save from Charlie Leech and Joseph Force early in the second half and after ECU’s second goal, only the crossbar prevented Zimarino from forcing Glory back into the game.
The goalmouth action continued right to the final whistle, with ex-Glory defender Riley Woodcock wasting a fine opportunity to mark his ECU debut in style by firing over from six yards out and both Leech and substitute Bryce Bafford going close to grabbing a late consolation for the Academy.
There was better news on the day for the PGFC Academy Under-18s and Under-20s, however, who recorded respective impressive 4-0 and 4-2 victories.
Those results leave the unbeaten Under-20s sitting in top spot and the Under-18s occupying fourth.
All three teams are set to return to action on Saturday (May 8) when Balcatta will provide the opposition at Crazy Domains Stadium at Hartfield Park, with the Under-18s starting at 3pm, followed by the Under-20s at 5pm and the First Team at 7pm.
Match Details
ECU Joondalup 2 (Nicol 26’, 60’) Perth Glory 0
Half-time: 1-0
Referee: Stewart BEATTIE
ECU Joondalup: 1.Johnny PERKINS (GK), 2.Jeremy TSHONGO, 3.Nelson TSHONGO, 4.Declan HUGHES, 7.Danny HODGSON, 8.Tom HOUGH (90’), 9.Daryl NICOL, 10.Andy HIGGINS, 11.Chris HAROLD 12.Jakub PRAJZA, 18.Luke PALMATEER
Substitutes not used: 20.Joe POLLARD, 6.Sonny O’SHEA, 11.Ben RUTTER, 14.Luke DAVIS, 15.Danny DOUGLAS
Yellow Cards: Hodgson 43’, Hough 86’
Red Cards: None
Perth Glory: 20.Cameron COOK (GK), 2.Josh RAWLINS (16.Andrew MARANTA 79’), 3.Mason TATAFU, 4.Jacob MUIR, 5.Riley WARLAND, 6.Callum TIMMINS (18.Chris DONNELL 62’), 7.Joseph FORDE (15.Aidan COYNE 79’), 8.Charlie LEECH, 9.Joshua ANASMO (17.Bryce BAFFORD 62’), 10.Giordano COLLI, 11. Adam ZIMARINO
Substitutes not used: 1.Sam REILLY (GK)
Yellow Cards: Muir 43’, Timmins 56’, Tatafu 65’, Rawlins 73’, Donnell 77’, Zimarino 85’
Red Cards: None
#OneGlory
