Perth Glory youth suffered its first defeat in the QBE Night Series after losing 1-0 to defending champions Floreat Athena at Dalmatinac Park on the weekend.
The Glory youngsters were undone eight minutes from time when Jon Stynes fired low past Jordan Thurtell.
Stynes is the older brother of Glory midfielder Daniel, who said it was disappointing to walk away not getting something from the game. “
We stuck to the game plan really well and held them to very few chances, but we have to create more chances and be more clinical in front of goal,” he said.
“It’s always good playing against him (Jon) we’ve been playing against each other in the backyard since we were kids, and hopefully next time we play I can get the points.”
Glory Coach John Gibson said his players gave it their all, but he was left a little disappointed to have conceded a late goal.
“Another sort-of pleasing performance from the group, against a strong Floreat Athena side, but I was not happy to concede a soft goal late in game,” Gibson said.
“We saw tonight as a missed opportunity – however we will continue to improve individually and as a group.”
Floreat, who won the Night Series last season, looked lively earlier but it was the Glory with the first real chance on 20 minutes.
Sam McKearnan was brought down on the edge of the penalty area and Collard’s curling free kick flashed inches over the top.
There were chances at both ends as the game livened up but keepers Thurtell for the Glory and Jason Saldaris kept the score line level at the break.
Floreat opened the second half well, and Jon Stynes was sent clear, and was one-on-one with Thurtell, but the Glory custodian stood tall and he fired wide of the target..
Thurtell was in the action again on the hour, he saved superbly to deny Jarrad McNally’s header, and the follow up shot from Govan flashed wide of the target.
Glory was hitting on the counter attack and Daniel Stynes tested Saldaris on 80 minutes, but the keeper saved low.
But two minutes later Floreat scored the winner.
Glory lost possession and a long ball over the top by Govan sent Nathan Scully clear, he looked up and cut the ball back to Jon Stynes, who made no mistake from close-range to win it.
Glory skipper Jacob Collard said they were in the game for the 90 minutes and its shows how far they have come in the three years of the programme.
“We performed outstanding tonight, and I believe we will be a real threat this year,” he said.
“We are stronger, more mature and have unbelievable ability to do something outstanding this year” he said.
Glory are next in action on Friday night when they meet Subiaco AFC at Macedonia Park.
Kick-off is at 6.30pm
Floreat Athena – GK Jason Saldaris, Spiro Dimitriou, Andrew Scaldaferro, Blair Govan, Bobby Wilson, Clayton Arnez, Declan Hargreaves, Dennis Galen, Jarrod McNally, Jon Stynes, Kris Gate, Matthew Franken, Nathan Scully, Pasquale Gioffre, Phil Arnold, Zane Casella
Perth Glory – GK Jordan Thurtell, Joel Driscoll, Henry Durr, Jacob Collard (c), Hayden Stevens, Jackson Morgan, Sam McKearnen, Sean Troup, Alex Tanevski, Hagi Gligor, Calvin Whitney, Nikola Talimdzioski, Daniel Stynes, Thomas Pope, Waliedin Ismail, Taban Makoli
