There is the potential for a double dose of Glory on Saturday, with the PGFC Academy Under-18s and First Team both in NPL WA Top Four Cup Final action at Bayswater’s Frank Drago Reserve.
While John Gibson’s men face Perth SC [match preview available HERE], the younger group will come up against the side they pipped to the title at the end of the regular season, Bayswater City.
Glory were downed by City in last weekend’s semi-final before securing a re-match by defeating Perth SC in midweek and Head Coach Callum Salmon is expecting another kinfe-edge encounter on Saturday.
“Bayswater have been a formidable opponent all season,” he said. “They’ve given us our three toughest games of the year and [Head Coach] Gary Williams and his staff deserve great credit for the quality that their side have shown. We know we’ll have to perform to our very best if we are to beat them and lift the Cup.”
Claiming the silverware this weekend would add even further gloss to what has already been a magnificent campaign for the Under-18s who won 22 of their 26 regular-season games, while losing just one.
And Salmon was quick to praise the effort put in by players and staff alike.
“It’s been a wonderful year,” he said, “and the players have been an absolute credit to themselves, their families and to the club.
“I’d also like to mention and thank all the coaching and support staff for the huge contribution that they have made.
“The focus has been on identifying opportunities to improve along the pathway of the players’ development into senior footballers and many of our players have progressed into the Under-20s and First Team over the course of the season.
“Saturday’s game brings a great chance to execute the work that we’ve been doing on the training ground in the high-pressure environment that the Cup Final will bring.”
In terms of team news, meanwhile, Salmon’s final selection will largely be based upon the group who performed so well in the midweek win over Perth SC.
“We’ve got one or two knocks and niggles to contend with,” he said, “and we’ll promote one or two players from the Under-14s and Under-15s, but we’ll generally be rewarding those who were a part of what was an excellent display in the elimination semi.”
The Under-18s Top Four Cup Final kicks off at 10am on Saturday, so do get along and lend Glory’s future stars your support if you can.
Photos courtesy of Vision Inspired Photography
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