Perth Glory has opened its 2017 PS4 NPLWA season on a high, after a come-from-behind 2-1 win against Armadale at Alfred Skeet Reserve on Saturday evening.
Former Glory Youth defender Nathan Costello gave the home side the lead early, but two late first half goals from skipper Daniel Stynes and Kosta Petratos gave John Gibson’s side a perfect start to the season.
“We thought we did pretty well tonight, we controlled the tempo for long periods of the game, however we need to be way more ruthless and capitalize in front of goal. Overall we are pleased with the performance,” Glory Head Coach John Gibson said.
“Armadale are a strong side who are confident and are in form after performing very well in the recent QBE Night Series. Despite going behind against the run of play, we know our qualities and responded well.
“We created some really good chances and should’ve scored a few more goals. Armadale tested us in the later stages of the game but our defence held strong and scrambled well.
“We have regenerated our group and this transition was part of our planning process – the group has integrated well and it’s been pretty seamless and cohesive. A nice way for the group to start the season and happy they were rewarded for a strong performance.”
Glory midfielder Luke Bodnar said it was a great start to the new season.
“It was a well fought team effort from our young side, we were a fitter side and dealt well with their physicality, “he said.
“I thought we dominated most of the game and the result in the end proved this. It’s a fantastic start to the season for us and we look forward to our first home game against Floreat Athena next weekend.”
Glory was on the front foot early, but against the run of play Armadale hit the front on 24 minutes.
English import Jordan Pavett’s free-kick picked out Costello who lost his marker and his faint header beat Jordan Thurtell.
But their joy was short lived and eight minutes later the Glory youngsters hit back to level.
A quick counter attack involving striker Bayley Brown-Montgomery and Stynes, sent the striker in on goal, Armadale keeper Michael Craggs stood tall and got a hand to his shot, and the ball was cleared off the line, but Stynes was alert to fire home the rebound.
Glory was playing some good football and finding holes in Armadale’s defence, and it was only a matter of time before they hit the front, and it came five minutes later.
Brown-Montgomery was held back in the box by Costello and referee Tom Dowle pointed straight to the spot.
Petratos stepped up and made no mistake from the resulting penalty to send Glory to the break with the lead.
After half-time Glory continued to hit on the counter attack and went close to a third. Walter Scott picked out the speedy Brown-Montgomery in space, but his shot crashed off the woodwork and away to safety.
Armadale pressed late and was dangerous from set-pieces, but Glory’s back four worked overtime to hold them at bay.
The home side almost snatched a late point. Pavett’s corner found Dannie Richman at the back post, and he crossed to Costello who headed over the top.
In other results Glory’s U-18s thrashed Armadale 8-1 while the U-20s went down 3-2.
Glory will be back in action for its first home match of the season and host Floreat Athena at Ashfield Reserve with the seniors kicking-off at 4.30pm.
Entry for all Perth Glory members is free.
MATCH DETAILS
Armadale 1 (Costello 24’)
Perth Glory 2 (Stynes 32’, Petratos 37’)
Saturday, February 18, 2017
Alfred Skeet Reserve
Kick-off: 7.00pm
Referee: Tom Dowle
Armadale: GK Michael CRAGGS, 2 Dylan WHITE, 3 Jake SARDELIC, 4 Nathan COSTELLO (C), 8 Jordan PAVETT, 9 Kyle KING, 10 Jackson BEALEY (12 Josh TUMOE 53’), 11 Dannie RICHMAN, 14 Tristan TAYLOR, 16 David ANNALL (6 Faustinho MACHOCHI 68’), 17 James ATKINS (7 Milan OGNJENOVIC 68’)
Subs not used: RGK Alec RADONICH, 5 Sam LOVELESS
Yellow card: Costello 36’, Annall 52’, Bealey 52’, Ognjenovic 77’
Perth Glory: GK Jordan THURTELL, 2 Walter SCOTT, 3 Luca BODNAR, 4 Jack IREDALE, 5 Ollie ANNIS, 6 Sam RIAK, 7 Yacoub MUSTAFA, 8 Jack LEECH (13 Callum TIMMINS 52’), 9 Bayley BROWN-MONTGOMERY (12 Micheal MCDOUGALL 74’), 10 Daniel STYNES (C), 11 Kosta PETRATOS
Sub not used: RGK Stef KING, 14 Callum DOBBS, 15 Jordan POKLER
Yellow cards: Iredale 52’
