The stakes are high for the PGFC Academy First Team this weekend as a victory over Balcatta at Grindleford Reserve (kick-off at 3pm) would move them to within touching distance of a Semi-Final spot.
The youngsters could, in fact, secure their place in the last four if they pick up three points and Perth SC and Inglewood United both lose.
And Head Coach Richard Garcia believes his squad are fired up and ready to go.
“It’s going to be a tough game,” he said.
“Balcatta are always tough opposition and it’s about us backing up again in terms of our performance and making sure we add the finishing touches as well.
“The boys are really keen to do that.”
Glory head into the Balcatta clash off the back of a 0-0 draw with Bayswater City, a game Garcia felt his side was unfortunate not to win.
“It was a very good performance, we just couldn’t quite finish the job,” he said.
“We have some good chances and probably should have won the game.
“That was reflected in the dressing room afterwards where the boys were very disappointed and that just proves how far they come as far as their mentality is concerned.
“Previously, they would have probably taken a point or just been happy with a good performance, but now they really want to win.”
That draw with Chris Coyne’s side made it four games unbeaten for Glory and their Head Coach has taken great satisfaction from the level of consistency his players have shown during that run.
“The boys have done well,” he said, “and we’ve made the point to them that this is progression.
“Now the challenge is is to keep it going and push on to get the two wins we need to make the Finals Series.”
Glory’s regular-season clash with Balcatta ended with each side claiming a point apiece from a hard-fought 1-1 draw, but Saturday’s opponents have lost two of their three games since the competition split and must beat Glory to keep their very faint hopes of making the Semi-Finals alive.
The Grindleford Reserve action gets underway at 11am when the Under-18s are in action, followed by the Under-20s at 1pm.
Both the Under-20s and First Team games will be live streamed on Football West’s Facebook page.
(picture courtesy of Tom McCarthy)
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