Dorrien Gardens will host Football West Belt Up Cup Final day this Saturday, with the PGFC Academy Under-20s set to feature in the Reserves Cup Final against Cockburn City (kick off at 12.30pm).
The youngsters secured their Final berth the hard way, overcoming Joondalup United, Bayswater City and Floreat Athena before trouncing Armadale 7-2 in the last four when Jayden Gorman (3), Ciaran Bramwell, Christian Belladonna, Liam Murray and Jaidon Selden all got on the scoresheet.
And that impressive semi-final display drew glowing praise from Academy Head Coach Richard Garcia
“The boys were determined to reach the final again, after winning it last season against Sorrento,” he explained.
“Even though it’s a new group of players this season, they started the competition wanting to go back-to-back and the win against Armadale showed just that; it was a great performance.
“They [Armadale] had thrashed ECU Joondalup in the quarter-finals, so for the group to play so well shows the determination we have in the squad.”
Garcia, however, is expecting Saturday’s Final to be an altogether cagier affair.
“Cockburn sit third on the Football West Under-20s NPL table,” he said, “and we know the quality they have, so we will need to be at our best.
“As in every game we play, it’s about focusing on getting what we do right and playing in the manner we want.
“If we get that right and we play our game, we will get the win.
“The boys understand this is a Cup Final and it’s who wants it the most on the day.
“From the first whistle they need to be on their game and I’m confident they will be.”
Striker Ciaran Bramwell, meanwhile, who bagged one of the goals against Armadale, feels that the influence of Garcia and fellow-coach Steven McGarry has been vital in the Under-20s development this year.
“All the boys have been fortunate to be coached by both Garc and Stevie this season,” he said, “with both of them having played at a professional level and sharing their experience and knowledge of the game to help us all improve as players.
“For me to make my [PGFC Academy] First Team debut was huge and obviously it’s a lot more physical due to playing against older and more experienced players, but the speed and intensity of training has helped me adapt to First-Team football.”
In terms of Saturday’s clash with the Cockerels, the 17-year-old is quietly confident that Glory can get the job done.
“We played out a tough 1-1 draw against Cockburn earlier on in the season, so we know they are a strong side,” he said.
“All the boys are looking forward to the game and we’re expecting a tough and exciting game, but are determined to keep hold of the Cup.”
Please do get along to Dorrien Gardens to lend the lads your support if you can and then stick around for what promises to be a similarly intriguing senior Cup Final showdown between Bayswater and Floreat (kick off at 3pm).
Match Details
Belt-Up State League Reserves Cup Final
Saturday July 20, 2019
Perth Glory v Cockburn City
Venue: Dorrien Gardens
Kick-off: 12.30pm
#OneGlory
