The PGFC Academy First Team were unable to halt runaway NPL WA leaders Perth SC on Saturday, going down to a 5-0 defeat at Dorrien Gardens.
Richard Garcia’s men made the worst possible start as the luckless Nick Walsh put through his own net with just three minutes on the clock and their task was made all the tougher when Walsh was then shown a straight red card just before the break.
The hosts duly capitalised upon their numerical advantage to pull away in the second half, former Glory striker Michael Domfeh grabbing two goals, substitute Frank Furfaro also finding the net and Luke Bodnar scoring his side’s second own-goal of the day.
Garcia was left to rue Walsh’s red card which he felt was a pivotal moment in the contest.
“It was a disappointing result today, but the sending off definitely changed the game,” he said.
“We conceded an unfortunate own-goal early and then I thought we were on top in the game.
“When Nick (Walsh) was sent off we had our backs to the wall, although we should have levelled just before half time.
“Another own-goal after half time summed up the day for us, but these games will test the resolve of the group and I’m confident we will bounce back next weekend at Sorrento.”
After Walsh inadvertently turned a cross past Jackson Lee to hand the hosts the lead, Glory proceeded to dominate, with Gomo Dukuly and Jack Leech both going close to restoring parity.
When Walsh saw red after tangling with Kristian Santich on the edge of the box, however, the visitors’ afternoon started to go downhill.
Bodnar deflected Gustavo Catarcione’s effort into the net to make it 2-0 and six minutes later it was 3-0 when Domfeh fired home his tenth goal of the season.
Furfaro then converted Matt Milenkovic’s cross for the fourth before Domfeh completed the scoring right at the death by applying the final touch to an intricate passive move.
In the day’s other games, meanwhile, Glory’s Under-18s ran out 2-0 winners to move within three points of top spot, but the Under-20s lost for the first time this season as they were edged out 5-4.
All three teams return to action next Saturday (13th July) when they will face Sorrento at Percy Doyle Reserve.
Match Details
Perth SC 5 (N Walsh o.g. 3′, Bodnar o.g. 55′, Domfeh 61′,88′, Furfaro 84′)
Perth Glory 0
Half-time: 1-0
Referee: Steven Gregory
Assistant referees: Niall Gillmor, Simon Hicks
Perth SC: GK: Francis SOALE, 2. Alex SILLA, 3. Andreas THEODOSIADES (7. Aleks JOVIC 67’) 4. Tom SOUTHGATE, 9. Gustavo CATARCIONE (17. Frank FURFARO 73′), 11. Matt MILENKOVIC, 14. Kristian SANTICH, 16. Kieran COLWELL, 18. Michael DOMFEH, 19. Bojan RADINOVIC, 20. Paul ZIMARINO (6. Harley ORR 61′)
Substitutes not used: RGK: Dejan ALEKSIC, 15. Nicholas MESSINA
Yellow Cards: Zimarino 35′, Santich 59′
Red Cards: None
Perth Glory: GK: Jackson LEE, 2. Zayd FARAH, 3. Joshua RAWLINS, 4. Luca BODNAR, 5. Nick WALSH, 6. Josh SAMSON, 7. Cameron Murray, 8. Jack LEECH (14. Ethan BROOKS 55′), 9. Luke SALMON, 10. Liam MURRAY (21. Trent OSTLER 37′), 17. Gomo DUKULY (15. Daniel WALSH 61′)
Substitutes not used: RGK: Nicholas SPECA, 22. Jordan ABRAHAMS
Yellow Cards: None
Red Cards: N.Walsh 39′
#OneGlory
Picture courtesy of Tom McCarthy
