Floreat claim 1-0 victory over Perth Glory
Report by Aisling Lawless
Floreat Athena have recovered from back-to-back losses in the last two NPLWA rounds with a 1-0 victory over Perth Glory on Saturday.
Chris Saldaris’ second half goal proved to be the point of difference in a defensive game that had few real chances from either side.
The win helped put Floreat back on track after two consecutive defeats and losing top spot on the table last week.
Coach Glen Grostate said to bounce back against a well-drilled Glory side was a massive achievement.
“We needed to win today to bring us back up to the top of the table, and we have a big clash next week against Perth,” he said.
“At this level the focus is on the three points – it doesn’t matter how ugly you win or how many you win by.
“You can’t underestimate Glory because they are such a good team and the best of the youth so it’s always difficult.
“It’s going to be a tough game next week but these boys fight hard and I’m proud of the way they work.”
A quiet first half was highlighted by chances from Jonathan Stynes who first hit the woodwork in the 32nd minute before being denied again three minutes later, this time by keeper Jackson Lee.
Michael Domfeh made a great run in the 40th minute to meet keeper Jason Saldaris one-on-one but was unable to convert Glory’s best first half chance.
It didn’t take long for Floreat to break the deadlock after the break, with Chris Saldaris utilising a corner kick to knock the ball past the far post in the 57th minute.
Despite being on the back foot Glory had an emphatic final quarter and in the 77th minute Stynes crossed to Bayley Brown-Montgomery, but his diving header just missed the mark.
Perth Glory Youth coach John Gibson said his side put in a courageous performance and made it difficult for Floreat to take the three points.
“There was desperation, there was resilience, there was scrambling and there was a whole lot of spirit,” Gibson said.
“Obviously they had some opportunities but at the back end we started to overrun them a little bit.
“It was a fantastic performance, especially given the age of our group - we had a 14 year old and 15 year old as our centre backs.”
Floreat 1 (C.Saldaris 57mins)
Perth Glory 0
Saturday, June 3, 2017
E & D Litis Stadium
Kick-off: 3:00pm
Referee: Anthony Walsh, Brendan Skinner, Jake Friend
Assistant Referee:
Floreat Athena: GK: Jason SALDARIS, 3. Clayton ARNEZ, 6. Jesse FULLER, 8. Jonathan STYNES, 10. Kris GATE, 11. Declan HUDSON (4. Andrew SCALDAFERRO 46), 12. Jackson MORGAN, 14. Ludovic BOI (13. Zelfy NAZARY 56), 15. Chris SALDARIS, 17. Dean EVANS (c), 18. Phil ARNOLD (5. Bobby WILSON 73).
Substitutes not used: RGK Jordan BARBAS, 33. Mark PRITCHARD
Yellow Cards: Wilson 88.
Red Cards: Nil
Perth Glory: GK. Jackson LEE, 2. Walter SCOTT (14. Joseph MARINO 83), 3. Luca BODNAR, 4. Riley WARLAND, 5. Cameron MURRAY, 6. Jack LEECH, 7. Bayley BROWN-MONTGOMERY, 8. Cameron TIMMINS, 9. Michael DOMFEH (13. Gomo DUKULY 56), 11. Michael MCDOUGALL(12. Yacoub MUSTAFA, 63), 16. Daniel STYNES (c),
Substitutes not used: 15. Harry QUIGLEY, 20. Kyle MCDONDALD.
Yellow cards: Nil
Red cards: Nil
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