Report by Saxon Durrant

Pictured: Cockburn City's David Araya in action. Photo: Football West News

Perth Glory and Cockburn City both had chances but were unable to score in a scrappy goalless draw at Ashfield Arena on Saturday.

Harry O’Brien came closest to scoring for the visitors in the 17th minute but had his first shot parried by Glory goalkeeper Jordan Thurtell, before his second attempt came crashing off the crossbar and skidded harmlessly away.

Glory were not devoid of chances however, with Nic Talimdzioski forcing a save from Luke Radonich in the 69th minute and firing barely wide in the 76th minute.

The ball was hard to control and tough to judge on the bounce for both teams, with Cockburn boss Scott Millar saying that the conditions affected the quality of the game.

“No one wanted to give a silly goal away in the conditions and it probably stopped them expressing themselves as they went forward,” said Millar.

“Gibbo (John Gibson) and I didn’t want it like that but you could smell it on the players.”

Whilst it would be considered an even result from both sides, winger Harry O’Brien believes that Cockburn dropped two points in the tightly contested fixture.

“We dropped two points to be fair but a clean sheet so we’ll look at the positives and we’ve come away from home with a point,” said O’Brien.

Perth Glory coach John Gibson said that the game could have gone either way, but his team needs to have more quality and ruthlessness in the final third.

He will be pleased that Glory were not affected by disciplinary issues compared to last week, where they finished with nine men against Bayswater City.

Gibson said it had been something he had spoken about to the squad before the game this week and it seems to have worked, with only one Glory player going in the book this week.

“We spoke about that and being better, our focus is always about being better,” he said.

“Being balanced and in control of our emotions and that’s something we’ve worked really hard on, that’s maybe a bit of immaturity and inexperience as well.”

Cockburn face defending champions Bayswater City at Dalmiatiac Park next week, while Perth Glory host Inglewood United at Ashfield Arena.

Perth Glory 0
Cockburn City 0
Saturday, March 26, 2016
Ashfield Arena
Kick off: 3:00pm
Referee: Steven Gregory
Assistant Referees: Arvin Shanmuganatahan, Eamon McDonnell

Perth Glory: 1. Jordan Thurtell 2. Gian Albano 3. Hayden Stevens 4. Scott Robertson (12. (Unknown not on match card) 70) 5. Jacob Mustafa (13. Jack Loach 79) 6. Alex Tanevski (16. Dulleh 70) 7. Sam Mckearnen 8. Sean Troup 9. Daniel Symes 10. Hagi Gligor 11. Nic Talimdzioski
Substitutes not used: 20. Riley Stephenson, 14. Sam Polland
Yellow cards: 3. Hayden Stevens 73’
Red cards: nil

Cockburn City: 1. Luke Radonich 3. Nathan De Abreu (20. Daniel Dols 83’) 4. Euen Grant 6. Reuben Tristao 7. Ali Gholami 8. Cameron Edwards 10. David Araya 11. Harry O’Brien 13. Blake Adams 14. Julian Teles (19. Angel Andres 70’) 16. Kenal Mouthy
Substitutes not used: 17. Jesse Lazzaro 23. Eric Cutri
Yellow cards: 11. Harry O’Brien 58’ 16. Kenal Mouithy 75’
Red cards: nil