Report by Tommy Doleman

Perth Glory put in a mature performance as they upset NPLWA heavyweights Perth 1-0 at Dorrien Gardens.

The decisive moment came on 33 minutes when Adrian Madaschi turned Jake Brimmer’s cross into his own net.

Last year’s grand finalists rallied but couldn’t find a breakthrough, prompting Glory coach John Gibson to praise the attitude of his young team.

“We’re pretty happy. It was a complete performance from us,” he said.

“The maturity of the group is a concept we’ve been working on in terms of managing games and being aware of situations.

“We are transitioning from youth league football to men’s football, but the group have confidence and belief in what we’re doing.”

Gibson also said that whilst the result was pleasing, it was equally as important for Glory to get that first clean sheet so early into the season.

“We’ve set some goals and we’re working really hard as a unit to defend as a team, which is vital if we want to gain success in this league,” he said.

“It’s important to respect the result tonight and enjoy the rewards of a win in a game like this, but it doesn’t mean anything if we don’t back it up against Balcatta next week."

Glory looked sharp early and came close to opening the scoring when Francis Soale turned Henry Hore’s strike around the post.

The offside flag denied the hosts when Frank Furfaro caught Glory’s defence napping, but it was a rare flourish forward and the away side then took a deserved lead.

Brimmer drove down the left and crossed low where an unfortunate Madaschi slid in and bundled the ball into his own net.

Glory continued to press and came close again just before the half time whistle when Brimmer’s free kick hit the side netting.

Perth gradually got on the front foot in the second half and created a couple of good opportunities.

Gustavo Catarcione held off several Glory defenders but his shot deflected behind for a corner, before Richard Howles headed the resulting set piece straight at Jackson Lee.

Daniel Stynes nearly doubled the lead with a spectacular volley from range as Glory continued to maintain a threat on the break.

Stynes and Knowles combined to force Soale into a point blank save, before Howles breezed past Luca Bodnar, cut inside and curled an effort just beyond the post.

The hosts pushed once more and threw bodies forward, but couldn’t apply the finishing touch as Glory held firm to open their season with a deserved three points.

Perth coach Ramon Falzon was frustrated with the result and admitted that he expected better from his side.

“We had our chances but didn’t take them and that put us on the back foot unfortunately,” he said.

“We’ve had the night series and a few months of training, so I don’t want to make any excuses.

“It’s a bad feeling to lose at home, but credit to Glory they’ve shown improvement and will upset a few teams this year.”

Perth SC 0
Perth Glory 1 (Madaschi OG 33mins)
Sunday 25 February 2018
Dorrien Garden
Local kick-off: 7:00pm
Referee: Nico Hoyle

Perth SC: GK: Francis SOALE, 2. Alex SILLA, 4. Adrian MADASCHI, 6. Harley ORR, 7. Aleksander JOVIC (5. Niccolo SABATINI 67’), 9. Gustavo CATARCIONE, 10. Nicholas AMBROGIO (14. Kristan SANTICH 62’), 12. Jordan DE LEO, 16. Kieran COLWELL, 17. Frank FURFARO (3. Andreas THEODOSIADES 55’), 18. Richard HOWLES.
Substitutes not used: RGK: Daniel PASSARELLI, 13. Rocco PIZZATA
Yellow Cards: Colwell 29’, Furfaro 36’, De Leo 40’, Theodosiades 88’
Red Cards: Nil

Perth Glory: GK: Jackson LEE, 2. Luca BODNAR, 3. Walter SCOTT, 4. Riley WARLAND (15. Daniel WALSH 69’), 5. Ollie ANNIS, 6. Callum TIMMINS, 7. Chok DAU, 8. Jake BRIMMER (13. Daniel STYNES 57’), 9. Joseph KNOWLES, 10. Henry HORE, 11. Yacoub MUSTAFA.
Substitutes not used: 12. Jack LEECH, 14. Michael DOMFEH, 16. Michael MCDOUGALL
Yellow Cards: Bodnar 54’
Red Cards: Nil