PS4 National Premier League WA powerhouse Bayswater City, has edged out Perth Glory 2-1 in an entertaining game at Finance 365 Stadium at the weekend.
Big defender David Stokoe gave the home side the lead early, before a stunning strike from Kosta Petratos levelled things up at half time.
But a goal from Jason Mirco early in the second half gave the home side the points, despite a huge game from Glory custodian Jordan Thurtell, who made a number of fine saves.
Glory Coach John Gibson said he couldn’t fault his players’ effort.
“Very happy with our performance today, two lapses defensively and fluency in the front third were the main points from today’s game.” he said.
“We thought we dominated for large periods, and to do that against a strong Bayswater side is a huge effort – we are constantly evolving and growing as a group which is pleasing.
Gibson kept the same side that drew at Inglewood United last weekend, and both sides had early half chances.
Luka Bodnar put in a strong block to deny Jack Allen, before Glory striker Joe Knowles run and cross picked out skipper Daniel Stynes, but he couldn’t get his shot away.
Moments later Knowles tried his luck from long-range, but Bayswater keeper Devon Spence tipped it around the post.
On the quarter hour Petratos’ corner caused problems in the penalty area, but after a couple of blocked shots the ball was eventually cleared.
But two minutes later the home side opened the scoring.
Declan Hargreaves corner picked out Stokoe, who rose above his marker and headed past Thurtell.
The Glory youngsters looked to hit back immediately and Jack Iredale’s run was halted on the edge of the penalty, and Stynes’ resulting free kick was saved by Spence.
The home side was on top but some stout Glory defending kept them at bay.
Their best chance came from Colombian striker Gustavo Giron-Marulanda, whose header flashed inches over the top.
Knowles, Petratos and Jamel Reiners were a constant threat and on 38 minutes, Glory levelled with a stunner.
Petratos found a pocket of space on the edge of the penalty area and his shot on the turn flew into the net giving Spence no chance.
Glory almost took the lead into the break, but Spence was alert to save from Knowles and Petratos.
Baywater pressed from the start of the second stanza and the pressure was rewarded on 55 minutes.
A ball over the top sent Mirco clear and the speedy winger finished clinically past Thurtell.
But Glory hit back at the home side- Stynes’ snap-shot whistled over the top, before Knowles raced clear one-on-one with Spence, but was adjudged offside.
Thurtell then produced a stunning save to deny substitute Todd Howarth’s free kick on the hour.
With the Glory pressing for the equaliser the youngsters were almost caught out again on 68 minutes, Mirco’s cross shot was well saved by Thurtell.
Knowles continued to be menace up top and his shot flashed wide on 76 minutes, before Iredale was sent clear by Knowles, but the defender was unable to find the target.
At the final whistle it was Bayswater celebrating the three points in what was an honourable effort by the Glory youngsters.
In the other games Callum Salmon’s under 18’s played out a ten goal thriller against Bayswater – a stunning 5-5 draw, while Richard Garcia’s under 20’s won 1-0.
Glory travel to Rosalie Park on Saturday to take on Subiaco.
Kick-off is at 3pm.
#GloryIsOurs
Match Details
Bayswater City 2 (Stokoe 17’, Mirco 55’)
Perth Glory 1 (Petratos 38’)
Saturday, April 22, 2017
Finance 365 Arena
Referee: Stuart Muldoon
Bayswater City: GK Devon SPENCE, 2 Declan HARGREAVES, 3 Jack ALLEN (6 Todd HOWARTH 28’), 9 Gustavo GIRON MARULANDA, 10 Jason MICRO, 11 Devon GIBSON, 12 David STOKOE (23 Andrija JUKIC 50’), 13 Trent KAY (C), 17 BorBor SAM, 19 Luka NINKOVIC (16 Giordano COLLI 88’), 20 Sam MITCHINSON
Subs not used: RGK Michael COHEN, 15 Ayden DRAGUN,
Yellow Cards: Ninkovic, Sam
Perth Glory: GK Jordan THURTELL, 2 Riley WARLAND, 3 Luca BODNAR, 4 Jack IREDALE, 5 Cam MURRAY, 6 Jack LEECH, 7 Jamal REINERS (12 Michael MCDOUGALL 61’), 8 Sam RIAK (13 Bayley MONTGOMERY-BROWN 77’), 9 Joe KNOWLES, 10 Daniel STYNES (C) (14 Callum TIMMINS 58’), 11 Kosta PETRATOS
Subs not used: RGK Stef KING, 15 Gomo DUKULY
Yellow Cards: nil
