Glory’s youngsters rounded off their PS4 NPLWA season in style on Saturday, downing Cockburn City 2-0 at Ashfield Reserve.
Despite dominating for long periods, John Gibson’s side did not manage to break the deadlock until the 61st minute.
But it was worth the wait, as Brandon Wilson produced a genuine goal of the season contender.
The 20-year-old midfielder picked up possession around 30 yards out from goal and unleashed a superb strike that left City goalkeeper Luke Radonich clutching at thin air as it flew into the roof of the net.
It was almost a carbon copy of the goal that Wilson scored in Round 23 against Bayswater, the difference being that this latest effort was struck with his right rather than his left foot.
And Glory duly made the game safe 12 minutes later when skipper Daniel Stynes was upended in the box by Radonich and Yacoub Mustafa rifled home the resulting penalty.
Earlier in the game, the lively Joseph Knowles had gone close for the hosts on several occasions, while former Glory youth player Gian Albano wasted a rare chance for the visitors midway through the first half, blazing over from closer range.
Unsurprisingly, Gibson was pleased with the display which secured his side a 12th-place finish.
“It was a good performance,” he said, “and it’s great to end the season on a positive note. We’ve had a tough season with a very young squad, so we’re happy with how things have gone.
“The boys have faced a lot of adversity and many challenges this year, but they have come through them and earned the right to be in the league.”
In Saturday’s other games, the Under-18s just missed out on a finals berth as they were edged out 4-3 in what was effectively a top-four eliminator with the visitors, while the Under-20s finished in seventh place after being beaten 4-1.
Perth Glory 2 (Wilson 61′, Mustafa 73′)
Cockburn City 0
Saturday, August 26, 2017
Ashfield Reserve
Kick-off: 3:00pm
Referee: Michal Jasinski
Assistant Referees: Martin Hicks, Joseph Belfiore
Perth Glory: 1. Nick FEELY(GK), 2. Luca BODNAR, 3. Hayden STEVENS, 4. Cameron MURRAY, 5. Ollie ANNIS, 6. Callum TIMMINS, 7. Yacoub MUSTAFA (14.Bayley BROWN-MONTGOMERY 82), 8. Brandon WILSON (13.Jack LEECH 90), 9. Joseph KNOWLES (12. Michael DOMFEH 88), 10. Daniel STYNES, 11. Michael MCDOUGALL
Substitutes not used: 20. Kyle MCDONALD (RGK), 15. Harry QUIGLEY
Yellow cards: Timmins 79
Red cards: nil
Cockburn City: 1. Luke RADONICH (GK), 6. Reuben TRISTAO, 7. Calvin WHITNEY, 8. Cameron EDWARDS, 9. Gian ALBANO (3. Daniel DOLS 46), 11. Harry O’BRIEN (c), 12. Daniel SANTICH, 14. Julian TELES, 16. Riley VAN DIEKEN (18. Aden DA LUZ 82), 17. Jesse LAZZARO, 21. Joshua KUSER
Substitutes not used: 23. Ryan BARKER (RGK), 10. David ARAYA
Yellow cards: Whitney 66, Santich 77, Lazzaro 77
Red cards: nil
#CREATEDESTINY
We’d also like to thank Tony Christou for helping out last minute as a volunteer at the ground on match day!
