Despite producing a strong performance, the Glory Youth Team came away from AAMI Park empty-handed after going down 2-1 to Melbourne Victory in Friday’s Foxtel Y-League Round 3 clash.
The youngsters got off to a great start in what was the first part of the double-header between the two clubs on the night, as Gabriel Popovic converted from the spot on 19 minutes.
But Victory hit back just after the half-hour mark through Australian Under-17s midfielder Birkan Kirdar and William Wilson then fired home what proved to be the winner on 62 minutes.
Glory had their chances later in the contest, as well as a strong penalty appeal turned down and Head Coach Richard Garcia thought they deserved more from the game.
“We improved from the last two weeks and played some very good football,” he said.
“We made a good start to the game in attack and defence and with Gabriel’s penalty putting us ahead, we were in control and we probably could have had another one when Ciaran (Bramwell) was brought down, but it wasn’t to be.
“I thought we controlled long periods of the game, but lapses in concentration cost us.
“We have been progressing each week and have another chance to improve against Brisbane next week.”
Victory, who won for the first-time last week against Adelaide United, were on the front foot early, with Joshua Varga curling a shot from long-range just wide of the post on 13 minutes.
But six minutes later, Glory hit the front.
Josh Rawlins raced into the penalty area and was brought down, referee Seun Yinka-Kehinde pointed to the spot and Popovic stepped up to finish past Matthew Sutton.
Glory were convinced they had earned another penalty when Bramwell was brought down in the box, but the referee waved away the strong protests and Victory duly got back on terms in the 32nd minute.
Wilson picked out Kirdar on the edge of the penalty area and he found the bottom corner of the net, giving Josh Langdon no chance.
Glory went close to regaining the lead after the break, Bryce Bafford turning between two defenders and racing into the penalty area, but his effort flew agonisingly wide of the target.
And after that let-off, it was Victory who hit the front on 62 minutes.
Glory lost possession in the middle of the park and the ball found Wilson who made no mistake from the edge of the box.
Victory went close to a third on 79 minutes, second half substitute Jack Morton crossing for Lawrie-Lattanzio who headed wide of the target, but Glory also fashioned a late chance when Trent Ostler’s powerful shot from 25 metres out flashed centimetres wide of the post in the final minute of normal time.
Match Details
Melbourne Victory 2 (Kirdar 32’, Wilson 62’) Perth Glory 1 (Popovic (pen) 19’)
Half time: 1-1
Venue: AAMI Park
Referee: Seun Yinka-Kehinde
Assistants: Terry Constandelos, Ellmir Asipi
Fourth Official: Yoav Fisher
Melbourne Victory: GK Matthew SUTTON, 2.So NISHIKAWA, 3.Matthew BOZINOVSKI, 4.Aaron ANDERSON, 5.Dalibor MARKOVIC, 6.Jay BARNETT, 7.Lleyton BROOKS, (13.Nishan VELUPILLAY 59‎’‎), 8.William WILSON (12.Jack MORTON 70‎’)‎, 9.Luis LAWRIE-LATTANZIO, 10.Joshua VARGA (14.Jack PALAZZOLO 81‎’), 11.Birkan KIRDAR
Substitutes not used: RGK Branko SKOCIC
Yellow Cards: Anderson
Red Cards: None
Perth Glory: GK Josh LANGDON, 2.Luke BODNAR (14.Joshua SAMSON 46‎’‎), 3.Dane INGHAM (15.Charlie LEECH 66‎’), 4.Riley WARLAND, 5.Tomislav MRCELA, 6.Jordan ABRAHAMS, 7.Joshua RAWLINS, 8.Bryce BAFFORD, 9.Gabriel POPOVIC, 10.Trent OSTLER, 11.Ciaran BRAMWELL (13.Giordano COLLI 66‎’)
Substitutes not used: RGK Jackson LEE
Yellow Cards: None
Red Cards: None
#OneGlory
