Words: Michael Flynn
Additional Reporting: Brisbane Roar FC
Image: Andrew Shaw/VisibleFocusPhotography

A second half goal to Nikola Talimdzioski was enough for Perth Glory Youth to upset Brisbane Roar Youth 1-0 at Cleveland Showgrounds on Sunday.

The Glory Youth attacker delivered a tap-in against the run of play shortly after the hour to record the club’s first win of the season and leave Young Roar’s hopes of qualifying for the Foxtel National Youth League Grand Final hanging by a thread.

Young Roar are now six points behind Conference A leaders Adelaide United Youth – who survived a late penalty to defeat Melbourne Victory Youth 2-1 on Saturday - with only two matches remaining in the home-and-away season.

Despite dominating for extended periods, and fielding a number of high profile members of the club’s Hyundai A-League squad, Young Roar were repeatedly denied by Glory Youth goalkeeper Jerrad Tyson throughout the contest.

The hosts threatened from the outset as Devante Clut, Jerome Polenz, Harrison Sawyer and Shannon Brady all forced saves from Tyson inside the opening half hour.

Nicholas D’Agostino and Jesse Daley also proved dangerous as the half drew to a close, but the visitors, who fashioned few clear-cut chances in the opening stanza, remained resolute and kept the teams locked nil-all at the break

D’Agostino sought to force the issue after the restart but was again foiled by the reflexes of Tyson with a solid attempt from close range.

On 64 minutes the visitors’ resilience found reward on the counter-attack when Talimdzioski tapped-in after being picked out by Joseph Knowles.

Young Roar continued to see the better of the possession and chances – including a raft of corners approaching the final quarter hour – but continued to be frustrated by Tyson and Glory Youth defence until the final whistle.

With the top team from each of the two conferences advancing to the Foxtel National Youth League Grand Final, Young Roar’s hopes of qualifying will rely on Glory Youth defeating the Young Reds next weekend in Adelaide.

In Conference B, Western Sydney Wanderers Youth kept alive their hopes of qualifying for the end-of-season decider with a 2-1 win over Newcastle Jets Youth.

However, Sydney FC Youth remain top of Conference B following a 5-3 win over Central Coast Mariners Youth in the final match of the round.

Foxtel National Youth League 2015/2016
Round 8 – Sunday, January 3
Cleveland Showgrounds, Redland City

Brisbane Roar FC Youth  0
Perth Glory FC Youth  1 (Nikola TALIMDZIOSKI 64’)

Brisbane Roar FC Youth: 1. Michael THEO (gk), 2. Jaidan WALKER, 3. Cameron CRESTANI, 5. Luke DEVERE (4. Mark RODIC 60'), 6. Jerome POLENZ, 9. Nicholas D'AGOSTINO (10. Adam SAWYER 74'), 12. Harrison SAWYER (7. Dane INGHAM 56'), 15. Jesse DALEY, 16. Devante CLUT (c), 17. Shannon BRADY, 18. Javier HERVAS

Unused Substitutes: 20 Tomislav BILIC (gk)

Yellow cards: Nicholas D'AGOSTINO 39', Cameron CRESTANI 52', Mark RODIC 81', Javier HERVAS 90+1', Devante CLUT 90+4’
Red cards: Nil

Perth Glory FC Youth: 2. Henry DURR, 3. Jacob COLLARD (c), 4. Dejan SPASESKI, 5. Hayden STEVENS, 6. Calvin WHITNEY, 7. Walieldin ISMAIL, 8. Sean TROUP (13. Daniel STYNES 54'), 9. Joseph KNOWLES (16. Cameron TEECE 66'), 10. Sam McKEARNEN, 11. Nikola TALIMDZIOSKI (14. Jackson MORGAN 86'), 12. Jerrard TYSON (gk)

Unused Substitutes: 33. Jordan THURTELL (gk)

Yellow cards: Joseph KNOWLES 59', Hayden STEVENS 75'
Red cards: Nil

Match Officials: Daniel OLSON (referee), Cameron FAWCETT (assistant), David WALSH (assistant), Matthew MALE (fourth)