Words: Michael Flynn

A brace to Nicholas D’Agostino guided Brisbane Roar Youth to a 2-0 opening day win over Perth Glory Youth in the Foxtel National Youth League on Saturday in Perth.

The PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland 2015 Young Player of the Year scored a goal in each half at Ashfield Sports Club to mark the team’s first competitive win under the guidance of new coach Josh McCloughan.

The result extends an impressive away record for Young Roar against Glory - with the team prevailing in their past five visits to the Western Australian capital in the Foxtel National Youth League.

17-year-old D’Agostino delivered the opener early in the contest, taking full advantage after Young Roar’s high press forced Glory to lose possession playing out from the back and allowing D'Agostino to round Jordan Thurtell for a simple finish.

Glory continued to call upon Young Roar goalkeeper Tomislav Bilic to intervene from a number of set-pieces before the hosts came close to levelling terms before the break - striker Joe Knowles seeing his shot denied by the crossbar.

D’Agostino sealed the result just prior to the hour after driving a squared free-kick into the top corner from 25 yards.

D'Agostino was denied the chance of an opening day hat-trick after Thurtell blocked further attempts, while debutant Harrison Sawyer came close to opening his account for his new club off the bench - sending his headed attempt just over the crossbar.

Glory pushed to the last but late attempts from Nikola Talimdzioski and Daniel Stynes failed to find the target.

Young Roar sit behind Adelaide United Youth in the Conference A standings after the Young Reds dispatched Melbourne Victory Youth 4-2.

Sydney FC Youth top Conference B following a 2-1 win over Central Coast Mariners Youth, while Western Sydney Wanderers Youth and Newcastle Jets Youth drew 3-3.

Melbourne City Youth and FFA Centre of Excellence will start their campaigns next week after drawing a bye in the opening round.

Match Info:

Foxtel National Youth League 2015/2016
Round 1 - Saturday, November 7
Ashfield Sports Club, Perth

Perth Glory FC Youth  0
Brisbane Roar FC Youth  2 (Nicholas D’AGOSTINO 11’ 56’)

Perth Glory FC Youth: 1. Jordan THURTELL (gk), 2. Dejan SPASESKI (13. Henry DURR 88'), 3. Jacob COLLARD, 4. Aleks SUSJNER, 5. Ross MILLARD, 6. Aryn WILLIAMS, 7. Jamal REINERS 14. Daniel STYNES 61'), 8. Calvin WHITNEY (12. Walieldin ISMAIL 71'), 9. Joseph KNOWLES, 10. Slobodan VULIN, 11. Nikola TALIMDZIOSKI

Unused substitutes: 20. Joel DRISCOLL (gk)

Yellow Cards: 11. Nikola TALIMDZIOSKI 28', 6. Aryn WILLIAMS 37', 2. Dejan SPASESKI 44', 4. Aleks SUSJNER 67'
Red Cards: none

Brisbane Roar FC Youth: 2. Jaiden WALKER, 3. Cameron CRESTANI, 5. Tom JARRARD,6. Liam O’BRYAN (4. Mark RODIC 75’), 9. Nicholas D’AGOSTINO, 10. Adam SAWYER (18. Harrison SAWYER 60’), 12. Joseph CHAMPNESS, 13. Mitch HORE, 14. Shannon BRADY (7. Dane INGHAM 70’), 15. Jesse DALEY, 20. Tomislav BILIC (gk)

Unused substitutes: 30. Finn MATHESON (gk)

Yellow Cards: 12. Joseph CHAMPNESS 74', 15. Jesse DALEY 82'
Red Cards: none

Match Officials: Tom DOWLE (referee), Joshua NIXON (assistant), Jordan ENGLISH (assistant), Zach PICCICACCO (fourth)