The PGFC Academy side slipped to just their second defeat of the NPL WA season on Sunday when they were downed 2-0 by reigning champions Bayswater City at Ashfield Reserve.
Luka Ninkovic was the visitors’ hero, firing home two breakaway goals either side of the break to send Chris Coyne’s men back to the top of the table.
Glory, however, dominated for almost the entire 90 minutes, monopolising possession for long periods and creating several excellent chances.
Daniel Stynes went close early on, while in the second half, City ‘keeper Devon Spence produced two fines saves to keep out a close-range effort from Joe Knowles and a thumping, 35-yard strike from Riley Warland.
The result sees Glory slip to fifth in the table, but although naturally unhappy with the result, Head Coach John Gibson felt that his young charges took plenty from the game.
“Bayswater came with a really strong game plan in terms of defending in a structure and giving away a lot of possession to us,” he said.
“Obviously we didn’t capitalise upon that possession and they hit us with a couple of sucker punches.
“We were very disappointed. Bayswater paid us a huge compliment by setting up the way they did and it was a great challenge for us in terms of trying to find solutions when a team does that to you and that’s what playing in the men’s competition is all about; exposing our young players to different challenges.
“It was something that they’ve never done to us before, but we’ve got to be better in those instances and our quality in the middle and final third needs to be a lot better.
“On the flip side, we need to be aware that we have to be in a position to defend and we didn’t do that very well. I think they maybe had two or three shots on goal in total and scored two goals, so they were super-effective. We had some gilt-edged opportunities throughout the game that we should have taken.
“They are a very experienced side and the benchmark in the competition, but we’re disappointed because we really thought we should have got something out of the game.”
Next on the agenda for Gibson’s side is a clash with Sorrento that is being played in Kalgoorlie.
Kick off at the Ray Finlayson Sporting Complex on Saturday is at 5.30pm so if you’re in the area, do get along and lend the lads your support if you can.
In Sunday’s other results, meanwhile, the Under-18s continued their fine start to the season with a 3-2 win, while the Under-20s went down to a 4-0 defeat.
Match Details
Perth Glory 0 Bayswater City 2 (Ninkovic 15min, 59)
Ashfield Arena
Sunday, 8 April 2018
Referee: Stephen Gregory
Assistant Referees: Andre Ferreira and Jatin Lodhia
Perth Glory: 1. Nick FEELY, 2. Luca BODAR, 3. Walter SCOTT, 4. Riley WARLAND, 5. Sam RIAK, 6. Callum TIMMINS (14. Henry HORE 60’), 7. Jacob ITALIANO (c) (13. Chok DAU 74’), 8. Brandon WILSON, 9. Joseph KNOWLES, 10. Jake BRIMMER, 11. Daniel STYNES (12. Jacob MUSTAFA 62’)
Substitutes not used: 15. Ollie ANNIS, 20. Jackson LEE
Yellow cards: Nil
Red cards: Nil
Bayswater City: 1. Devon SPENCE, 4. Arran MAPLESTONE (11. Devon GIBSON 69’), 5. Adam HARRIS, 6. Todd HOWARTH, 8. Paul MCCARTHY, 12. David STOKOE, 13. Trent KAY (c), 15. Paul LLOYD, 17. Gian ALBANO (23. Andrija JUKIC 85’), 19. Luka NINKOVIC (22. Luke SALMON 76’), 24. Jake SARDELIC
Substitutes not used: 21. Riley VAN DIEKEN, 25. Dejan ALEKSIC
Yellow cards: Nil
Red cards: Nil
Photo Credit: Fotoenzo Freelance Photography
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