A late headed goal from Dean Evans has given Perth Glory a dramatic 3-2 National Youth League victory over Sydney FC at ME Bank Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
A late headed goal from Dean Evans has given Perth Glory a dramatic 3-2 National Youth League victory over Sydney FC at ME Bank Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Veteran striker Eugene Dadi put the Glory two goals ahead after half an hour but Sydney FC worked its way back into the contest via two goals from Chris Payne either side of the break.
The home side however took all the points on offer with Evans powering home his first ever goal in the National Youth League 10 minutes from full time.
“We knew it was going to be a very hard game with Sydney being the reigning champions. We prepared well and the spirit was good before the game and we went into it with a lot of confidence,” Evans said.
“Today I thought we battled well and got stuck into them. When times got tough we didn-t retreat, we played our game and kept the pressure up and it was nice to get the result.
“It-s been a while coming so I was happy to put away my first goal in the Youth League. I-m hoping to sneak a few more in this year but the most important thing is the team keeps winning and I-m happy to have contributed on the score sheet today,” said Evans.
Having been on the wrong end of a 3-0 result last weekend, Glory came out determined to rectify that performance with a win over last season-s NYL Champions.
The home side started brightly but failed to capitalise on a few early openings however they were in front on 20 minutes as Dadi nodded home from close-range following a pin-point Steve Hesketh cross.
Sydney-s Iain Ramsey looked most likely to draw the visitor-s level and threatened the Perth goal on a couple of occasions, forcing goalkeeper Alex Pearson to tip over in the bar in the 28th minute.
It was however the Glory that found the back of the net as Josh Risdon delivered a long ball from the right flank that released Trifiro, his cutback from the by-line allowing Dadi to slot his second.
Against the run of play Sydney pulled one back when the impressive Ramsey crossed from the left and allowed Payne to fire home.
Dadi was substituted at the break and his replacement, Mario Marcinko, almost extend the advantage but hit the side netting with his shot on the run.
That let-off ensured Sydney remained in the match and they were soon on level pegging as Payne took advantage of some poor communication in defence to find himself one-on-one with the ‘keeper. Still with some work to do the youngster skilfully flicked the ball over Pearson and walked it into the back of the net.
With 18 minutes remaining Payne had the chance to give Sydney the lead and score his hat-trick when he latched onto to clear a long ball forward. Payne raced into goal, but Pearson did brilliantly to narrow the angle, forcing a wild shot.
The near miss saw the Glory step up a gear in the final stages. The home side controlled possession through the brilliant skills of Andrija Jukic and Ludovic Boi and deservedly re-took the lead when Evans ferociously attacked a corner and smashed the ball into the goal.
National Youth League 2009: Rd11
Perth Glory 3 (Eugene DADI 20-/29-, Dean EVANS 80-)
Sydney FC 2 (Chris PAYNE 38-/64-)
Sunday, 22 November 2009 at ME Bank Stadium, Perth
Referee: David Costello
Assistant referees: Josh Mihevc and Trent Fleskins
Fourth official: Tim Mihevc
Perth Glory: Ludovic BOI, Dean EVANS, Steve HESKETH (c), Sam MITCHINSON (Joshua RISDON 75-), Alex PEARSON (gk), Ryan PEARSON, Joshua RISDON (Clayton ARNEZ 59-), Adam TAGGART, Glen TRIFIRO, Andrija JUKIC, Eugene DADI (Mario MARCINKO 46-)
Substitutes not used: Jason SALOARIS (gk)
Yellow cards: Ludovic BOI 56-
Red cards: Nil
Sydney FC: Joel CHIANESE, Antony GOLEC (c), Tim MCGOWAN (Mitchell SPEER 46-), Ray MILLER, Sam MUNRO, Chris PAYNE, Iain RAMSAY, Nenad VEKIC (gk), Sam GALLAGHER, Dimitri PETRATOS, Matthew JURMAN
Substitutes not used: Nil
Yellow cards: Ray MILLER 35-, Matthew JURMAN 42-, Nenad VEKIC 45-, Mitchell SPEER 90-+2
Red cards: Nil
