Report by Paul J. Laverty

Pictured: Perth Glory celebrate. Photo: Football West News

Perth Glory tore up the form book and ripped apart title-winners Stirling Lions with a second-half footballing masterclass to lift the U18 Top Four Cup.

Stirling had beaten Glory convincingly twice in the past two weeks but were little match for their rampant opposition, who were thirsty for revenge.

After a first-half high on intensity but low on chances, Glory overcame any tiredness they may have felt following Wednesday’s energy-sapping victory over Subiaco in the preliminary final to find an extra gear.

Just four minutes into the restart a darting run into the box by Abias Bukuru presented Adam Zimarino with a simple tap-in to break the deadlock.

Both Zimarino and Bukuru were finding gaps in the final third that weren’t there in the first period, and it was a surprise when the goalscorer was subbed for Ethan Brooks on the hour mark.

But the substitute instantly justified coach Callum Salmon’s change with a brilliant turn and shot into the corner of the net to put Glory further ahead.

Stirling came close when Ben Campbell had his header tipped over the bar by Liam Levy after the keeper had fumbled, but the Lions were lacking the spark which has kept them firing all season as the young Glory side displayed maturity beyond their years.

Joe Tweats came agonisingly close to making it three when he lobbed Callum Atkins in the Stirling goal only to see the ball trickle wide, just before a Brooks pass split open the defence and Liam Murray latched onto it and slotted home to put the game beyond Stirling’s reach.

On 89 minutes Brooks again showed his class as he unselfishly teed up Bukuru for number four.

Brooks then capped off his super-sub performance when he was tripped in the box, winning a penalty which Bukuru saw saved by Atkins to spare the league winners from added humiliation.

In the end Glory had done more than enough to secure the cup and Salmon was delighted with the performance of his players, which bodes well for the club in the years ahead.

“I’m ever so proud of the boys,” Salmon said. “They finished their opportunities and weren’t as naïve, weren’t as amateur when defending as they have been, and did a really good job without the ball.”

Stirling boss Keegan Ashley didn’t want the shock drubbing to taint what he maintains has been an “unbelievable” season.

“This is just a one-off final and unfortunately we lost it,” he said. “We are the champions but we just lacked energy today.”

Stirling Lions 0
Perth Glory 4 (Zimarino 49min, Brooks 68, Murray 84, Bukuru 89)
Saturday, September 10, 2016
Dorrien Gardens
Kick-off: 10.30am
Referee: Darren Quinlan
Assistant referees: Jake Friend, Mark McKane, Max Hallas

Stirling Lions: 1. Callum ATKINS, 2. Alan REIDY, 3. Jayden DODS, 4. Mason LANGHAM, 5. Nicholas ASHLEY (12. Nigel SMITH 77), 6. Thomas BALCH, 7. Robbie MCNEIL, 8. Joseph PERKINS (16. Roman MANDYCZEWSKY 83), 9. Benjamin CAMPBELL, 10. Denzel TSHUMA (14. Daniel STONE 62) 11. Bleron MAMUDI
Substitutes not used: 15. Oliver WATSON. 
Yellow cards: Reidy, Langham, Ashley
Red cards: nil

Perth Glory: Liam LEVY, 2. Harry QUIGLEY, 3. Luc BODNAR, 4. Thomas EIJGENHUIJSEN, 5. Riley WARLAND (12. Zayd FARAH 30), 6. Sasa NJEGIC, 7. Liam MURRAY, 8. Joe TWEATS, 9. Abias Bukuru, 11. Adam ZIMARINO (13. Ethan BROOKS 60), 21. Aidan EDWARDS (14. Kian MCGUIGAN 74),
Substitutes not used: 15. Huz GHAZALI, 16. Sam KOKKORIS
Yellow cards: Bukuru, Brooks
Red cards: nil