Perth Glory FC Youth team were made to regret missed opportunities after a 0-3 loss against Adelaide United, in round five of the Foxtel National Youth League at Ashfield Reserve on Saturday morning.
The Glory youngsters created a number of chances to win the game, but goals to Antoni Trimboli and a brace from Adelaide skipper Dylan Smith, made them pay for their inefficiency in front of goal.
Glory Coach John Gibson said it’s frustrating, but it’s something they are working hard to rectify.
“We had the opportunities, again, but we have to be more clinical and ruthless when you get them,” he said.
“We spoke about it before the game, when these chances come you have to take them, we didn’t and on the flip side we gave away some pretty ordinary goals again, which cost us dearly.”
“We knew this season would be a challenge, and we’ve blooded a number of players through the side this season, and give them the opportunity to play against the best players in the country. This league, even though it’s very short and restructured, it’s fantastic for these guys to see where they sit, and it drives them to improve.”
Despite the scoreline Glory ‘keeper Jordan Thurtell put in a very good performance. The acting skipper saved a first half penalty and made a number of other fine saves, but despite the loss he said the inexperienced Glory side will get better.
“I had to make a few saves today, but the goals we conceded are easily preventable, and we were punished for mistakes, maybe it is a little bit of inexperience,” he said.
It was Glory who started brighter, and went close to the opener after only three minutes.
Stefan Valentini made space down the left, cut inside his marker, but his low shot was well saved by Daniel Margush.
But on 13 minutes Adelaide had the perfect opportunity to take the lead, when Calvin Whitney brought down Jordan O’Doherty, and referee Zach Piccicacco pointed straight to the spot.
Jordan Pudler stepped up to take the resulting penalty, but Thurtell guessed the right way and saved superbly low to his left.
Glory had another good chance two minutes later. Fresh off his Hyundai A-League debut last week against Melbourne City, Joe Knowles darted past his marker and was one-on-one with Margush, but the Adelaide custodian stood tall to block his shot, while Sam McKearnen’s follow up shot flew over the top.
Thurtell came to his sides rescue again on 24 minutes, saving superbly to deny O’Doherty’s shot, but there was little the Glory custodian could do when Adelaide took the lead 30 minutes into the match, Trimboli converting from close-range.
Glory went close to a leveler on the stroke of half time. Knowles cut in from the left, but his curling shot on the run whistled just past the far post.
The visitors doubled their advantage in the 66th minute. Glory gave away possession on the edge of the penalty area and Smith finished powerfully past Thurtell.
It was 3-0 on 76 minutes, Smith free on goal inside the area, firing his shot on the turn past Thurtell.
Glory are back in action this weekend, when they take on Melbourne Victory at Ashfield Reserve on Sunday December 13.
The match kicks off at 10.30am.
Entry is free for Perth Glory members.
Match Details
Perth Glory 0
Adelaide United 3 (Trimboli 30’, Smith 69’, 76’)
Saturday December 5 2015
Ashfield Reserve
Referee: Zach Piccicacco
Assistants: Joshua Nixon and Josh Mannella
Perth Glory: GK Jordan THURTELL (C), 2 Henry DURR, 3 Dejan SPASESKI, 4 Hayden STEVENS (14 Oliver ANNIS 58’), 5 Ross MILLARD, 6 Calvin WHITNEY, 7 Stefan VALENTINI, 8 Walieldin ISMAIL (12 Daniel STYNES 64’), 9 Joe KNOWLES, 10 Sam MCKEARNEN (13 Alex TANEVSKI 77’), 11 Nikola TALIMDZIOSKI
Subs not Used: GK Joel DRISCOLL
Yellow Cards: Annis 71’, Valentini 82’
Adelaide United: GK Daniel MARGUSH, 2 Nicholas APOSTOLOPOULOS, 3 Clifford MAINA, 4 Jordan PUDLER, 5 Oliver ZAFIRIDIS (14 Riley MCGREE 77’), 6 Guy MILLER, 7 Antoni TRIMBOLI (13 Alec MIOLO 82’), 8 Jordan O’DOHERTY, 10 Dylan SMITH (C) (12 Mark OCHIENG 81’), 17 Thomas LOVE
Subs not Used: RGK Sergio SERRET
Yellow Cards: Love 67’
