Perth Glory has retained top position on the National Youth League ladder with a last-gasp 1-0 victory over Adelaide United at Hindmarsh Stadium on Sunday.
Perth Glory has retained top position on the National Youth League ladder with a last-gasp 1-0 victory over Adelaide United at Hindmarsh Stadium on Sunday.
Glory substitute Anthony Skorich was the hero when he broke the dead lock with a close-range goal, after he found a small gap through Adelaide’s defence, with custodian Mark Birighitti caught out of position.
The Reds had a late chance to equalise a minute later but Inseob Shin couldn’t sufficiently connect on a shot that sailed well high.
Both sides’ defences stoutly held firm in a scoreless first half most noteworthy for a knee injury to Kristian Sarkies.
Glory skipper Steven Hesketh’s hard challenge in the sixth minute left Sarkies nursing what appeared to be a serious knee injury, the impact forcing the over-age midfielder to be stretchered off and taken away for scans.
United had its best chance when Evan Kostopolous – coming off a two-goal haul against Newcastle a week earlier – sprayed a close range attempt in the 14th minute.
Perth did more of the attacking after the main interval, its best chance coming in the 51st minute when Branko Jelic back-heeled deftly to Tommy Amphlett, whose hit was knocked away by Birighitti.
Then on the resultant corner, Jelic had a red-hot chance with Birighitti well out of position but Jelic’s on-target hit was blocked by Shin on the last line.
The Glory continued to go forward with Ryan Pearson denied on 68 minutes by a diving Birighitti before Glen Trifiro’s follow-up was deflected away by Adelaide’s desperate backline.
Jelic then fired high and wide before Skorich made it Perth’s day while sinking Adelaide’s hopes moments later.
Adelaide United 0
Perth Glory 1 (Skorich 90)
@ Hindmarsh Stadium, 21/02/2010
