Perth Glory has continued its impressive start to the Foxtel National Youth League after a 2-0 win against Brisbane Roar at Goodwin Park at the weekend.
Chris Harold continued his return from injury, bagging the first on the quarter hour, and three minutes later Glory doubled its lead through an own goal, ensuring the young guns from the west stayed at the top of the table.
“It was another solid performance away from home played in hot conditions on a bumpy surface,” Glory Youth Coach John Gibson said.
“’Once again good character was shown by everyone in the team; they’re a fantastic group of young men” he said.
The home side started brightly, knowing a win would take them over the Glory to the top of the table and they went close to the opener on 14 minutes.
Mitchell Hore’s through ball sent Abrahim Yango down the flank, his cross was met by Hore, but Glory custodian Jordan Thurtell blocked his effort and reacted even better to deny Sam Sibatuara’s follow up shot.
Thurtell’s heroics were reward sixty seconds later as the Glory hit the front. Harold was sent clear by Brandon O’Neill’s through ball, sending him one-on-one with keeper Fraser Chambers. The striker took the ball around the Roar custodian, and fired home despite the tight angle.
It was 2-0 three minutes later. Matt Davies found space down the right, and his low cross was deflected past Chambers by an unfortunate Roar defender.
The Glory, looking for their fifth win of the season, pressed in the second half and went close to a third on the hour.
Borbor Sam showed lightning pace to go one-on-one with Chambers but the Roar custodian saved.
O’Neill almost capped another fine performance late in the game, beating two Roar defenders, before his shot from the edge of the penalty area crashed off the far post.
Gibson was pleased with the three points, but a solid defensive display was also encouraging.
“Another pleasing part of the display today was another clean sheet,” he said.
“We had some very committed, resolute and at times scrambling defending, which as a coach you can’t ask for anymore.”
In the next round of Foxtel National Youth League, Perth Glory entertain Melbourne Victory at the Ashfield Sports Club on Sunday morning.
Kick-off is at 11am
Foxtel National Youth League 2014/15 season Round 6
Brisbane Roar 0
Perth Glory Youth 2 (Harold 15’, own goal 18’)
Sunday, 23 November 2014
Venue: Goodwin Park, Yeronga
Referee: Matthew Male
Assistants: Trent Sleeman and Joseph Lee
Fourth Official: Dylan Lambert
Brisbane Roar: GK Fraser CHALMERS, 2 Patrick THEODORE, 5 Matthew SCHMIDT, 6 Devante CLUT, 7 Luke PAVLOU, 11 Abrahim YANGO, 13 Mitchell HORE, 14 Samuel SIBATUARRA, 15 Lachian JACKSON (c), 19 Austin LUDWIK, 20 Shelford DAIS
Subs: RGK Tomislav BILIC, 10 Stephen O’NEILL, 12 Cameron CRESTANI, 22 Nicholas D’AGOSTINO
Perth Glory: GK Jordan THURTELL, 2 Matthew DAVIES, 3 Nathan COSTELLO, 4 Jack IREDALE, 5 Ali GHOLAMI, 6 Michell OXBORROW, 7 Calvin WHITNEY, 8 Brandon O’NEILL, 9 Joe KNOWLES, 10 Cameron EDWARDS, 11 Chris HAROLD
Subs: RGK Dylan WILSON, 14 Borbor SAM, 15 Todd NORRIS, 16 Slobodan VULIN
