The PGFC Academy First Team remain in top spot and firmly on track to claim the club’s first ever NPL title after Saturday’s 3-1 win over State League Cup-winners Armadale.
Michael McDougall gave the youngsters the lead early at Alfred Skeet Reserve, before Bayley Brown-Montgomery doubled their advantage on the hour.
The points were wrapped up three minutes from time when former Armadale striker Michael Domfeh added a third, with Chris Jackson then scoring a consolation goal for Armadale deep into stoppage time.
Glory Head Coach John Gibson was understandably delighted with his side which was much-changed due to six regulars [Luke Bodnar, Chok Dau, Yagoub Mustafa, Henry Hore, Walter Scott and Zayd Farah] currently being away with the senior team in Malaysia.
“Today we produced a tough, mature and consistent performance,” he said. “Both on and off the ball we were strong and were ruthless with the limited chances we had.
“Armadale are a good side and it’s a tough place to go. They made it very difficult for us, but we were resilient, resolute and scrambled well. It was a tough, physical game and we coped pretty well.”
Although a win at home against Cockburn City next weekend will be enough for Glory to claim the title, Gibson insisted that it will be business as usual in terms of the youngsters’preparations for the game.
“Our approach and mentality, doesn’t change,” he said “We will be aggressive, purposeful and consistent with our processes. Our focus, as always, will be about us.”
The Armadale clash was a special occasion indeed for 16-year-old Trent Ostler who was handed his starting debut for the First Team and he made an immediate impact by providing the assist for Glory’s opener after just four minutes.
The midfielder picked out an unmarked McDougall who finished clinically and calmly past advancing Armadale custodian, Sam Hutchings.
John O’Reilly’s men, who had been thumped at home by Floreat Athena in their previous outing, looked for a quick response and almost found it via Friday Zico, but his volley was well saved by Jackson Lee.
Armadale went close again early in the second half, Lee making another save, this time from Ryan Haslett after the substitute had lost his his marker in the box.
But nine minutes later Glory doubled their advantage when Sam Riak crossed to the unmarked Brown-Montgomery at the far post and he headed home.
They almost added a third moments later as Domfeh was sent through on goal only to fire over the top.
That miss was forgotten on 85 minutes, however, when Domfeh made amends by bagging the third. Ostler was again the supplier, threading the ball through to the big striker who finished with aplomb.
Armadale did manage to have the final word, yet Jackson’s effort came too late to have any bearing on the outcome and Domfeh was left to reflect that his side had dug deep to take another big step closer to the title.
“It was a tough game against an Armadale side who always bring a firm physical contest to every game,” he said.
“The win was more impressive as we had a few players away with the HAL team too, so it was pleasing to grind it out and, of course, I was happy to get on the score sheet. But more importantly in terms of the title race, the win was invaluable.
“Looking ahead to next week, Cockburn are third for a reason and I’m sure it will be another tough encounter, but in saying that we want to make history.”
In the day’s other games, meanwhile, Glory’s Under-20s ran out convincing 3-0 winners, while the Under-18s were held to 3-3 draw.
Match Details
Perth Glory 3 (McDougall 4’, Brown-Montgomery 69’, Domfeh 87’)
Armadale 1 (Jackson 90+3’)
Half time: 1-0
Referee: Tom Glavovic
Assistant Referees: Jatin Lodhia, Troy Malatesta
Perth Glory: GK Jackson LEE, 2. Nic MCDONALD, 3. Sam RIAK, 4. Daniel WALSH, 5. Ollie ANNIS, 6. Jack LEECH, 7. Trent OSTLER, 8. Callum TIMMINS, 9. Michael DOMFEH (C), 10. Michael MCDOUGALL, 11. Bayley BROWN-MONTGOMERY
Substitutes not used: RGK Nicholas SPECA, 12. Aiden EDWARDS, 13. Jordan ABRAHAMS, 15. Sasa NTLGIC
Yellow cards: Brown-Montgomery 79′
Armadale: GK Sam HUTCHINGS, 2. Josh KUSER, 4. Nathan COSTELLO (22. Ryan HASLETT 61’), 7. Charlie KENNA (8. Michael LAWSON 73’), 9. Billy QUINNCROFT (C), 10. Chris JACKSON, 12. Dannie RICHMAN, 14. Milan OGNJENOVIC, 15. Ali GHOLAMI, 16. Charlie SIMPSON, 20. Friday ZICO (17. James ATKINS 68’), 21 Beau RAHIM
Substitutes not used: RGK Duncan LENNON-BLACK, 3. Delan DE SILVA
Yellow cards: Zico 42′
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