The PGFC Academy First Team made a strong start to their Football West NPL Night Series campaign on Friday evening as they downed Armadale 4-2 at Dalmatinac Park.
Luke Salmon, Callum Timmins, Gomo Dukuly and Ciaran Bramwell all got themselves on the scoresheet for Glory, leaving Head Coach Richard Garcia happy with what he saw from his young charges
“It was a pleasing opening to the tournament and it was good for some of our younger players to get game-time,” he said.
“I’m really pleased with the way we approached the game and led 3-0 after an hour, but then lapses in concentration led to us conceding.
“We showed great confidence to score again, though and to come away with a good first-up win.
“But it’s only the opening game and we look forward to another tough fixture against Bayswater City next week.”
It was a bright opening from Garcia’s side and they opened the scoring on 21 minutes. Luke Salmon was sent clear one-on-one with Armadale keeper Duncan Lennon-Black and although his first shot was saved, he fired home the rebound.
Glory duly doubled their lead later in the first half when Timmins fired home a superb free kick from 25 yards.
It was 3-0 on the hour, Dukuly showing great individual skills to fashion a shooting opportunity and then finishing clinically and at that stage, it looked like game over.
Armadale had other ideas, however and pulled one back through Sam Garces 11 minutes later.
To their credit, Glory steadied and regained their three-goal advantage nine minutes from time when Dukuly teed up Ciaran Bramwell, rendering Chris Rizidis late reply for the Reds nothing more than a consolation.
Glory midfielder Jack Leech felt that the men in purple were good value for their victory.
“I thought the team thoroughly deserved the win,” he said. “For the whole 90 minutes we were switched on and focused and ready to go.
“I thought we moved the ball well and put in a good performance in terms of how we wanted to play the game.
“There’s always room for improvement as we conceded two soft goals but overall, I thought it was a great performance.”
Glory are back in action next Friday when they take on Bayswater City at Frank Drago Reserve in Week 2 (kick off at 6.30pm).
#OneGlory
