Report by Colin Outhwaite

Jon Higgins’ first half strike gave ECU Joondalup a 1-0 win over Perth Glory Youth in a tight PS4 National Premier Leagues contest.

Higgins’ free kick proved to be the difference in a first half where both sides struggled to find their rhythm.

Dejan Spaseski and Stefan Valentini could have equalised for the Glory, but neither could capitalise on good opportunities.

Higgins came close to adding a second with another set piece towards the end and was pleased with the way his side ground out the result.

"We're developing into a great defensive side that are hard to beat," he said.

"We're learning to turn these scrappy games into points, which is what counts at the end of the season.”

Both goalkeepers made early saves as Jordan Franken dived to deny a low strike from Higgins, before Jamie Serra dealt well with a dipping free kick.

Higgins then provided the game's decisive moment, when he curled superbly into the top left corner on 27 minutes.

Spaseski came close to levelling against his former club before half time, but couldn’t trouble Serra after latching onto a cross.

Franken tipped away a header from Jon Stynes in the second half, before Serra had to be alert again to block Valentini’s goal-bound effort.

But clear-cut chances remained few and far between until Franken tipped away a late free kick from Higgins.

Glory coach John Gibson thought his team played well despite the result.

"It's always going to be tough coming to ECU but we competed really well," he said.

“They're a very competitive side and we did well to play some football against them.

“Every game is different and different teams apply different strategies, shapes and philosophies, so it was a great experience for the lads to play a game like that."

ECU Joondalup 1 (Higgins 27mins)
Perth Glory 0
Saturday, May 1, 2015
Venue: ECU Joondalup Football Stadium
Kick-off: 3:00
Referee: Tom Glavovic
Assistant Referees: Brendan Skinner, Marko Rajakovic

ECU Joondalup: 1. Jamie SERRA (GK), 2. Ryan LOWRY (12. Josh TUCKER 87'), 3. Jon HIGGINS (c), 4. Charlie COMYN-PLATT, 5. Carl RODGERS, 6. Jon STYNES (18. Stuart MONTGOMERY 76'), 8. Joe SMITH, 9. Guy McDONALD (7. Paul MILLER 58'), 10. Andy HIGGINS, 11. Rowdy YATES, 13. Tommy AMPHLETT
Substitutes not used: 17. Bayley MONTGOMERY, 20. Ash MAYNARD-BREWER (RGK)
Yellow cards: 4. Charlie COMYN-PLATT 47'
Red cards: Nil

Perth Glory:  1. Jordan FRANKEN (GK), 2. Gian ALBANO, 3, Jacob COLLARD (c), 4. Nathan COSTELLO, 5. Tom KING, 6. Calvin WHITNEY, 7. Sam MCKEARNAN (13. Waliedin ISMAIL 71’), 8. Dejan SPASESKI, 9. Stefan VALENTINI (12. Ali GHOLAMI 87'), 10. Slobodan VULIN, 11. Nick TALIMDZIOSKI
Substitutes not used: 14. Matthew NTOUMENOPOULOS, 15. Sean TROUP, 20. Jordan YOUNG
Yellow Cards: 10. Slobodan VULIN 24’
Red Cards: Nil