Kristian and Gabriel Popovic bagged their first senior goals for the club and Jacob Tratt scored on debut as Glory opened their pre-season campaign with a 3-0 victory over Bayswater City at Frank Drago Reserve.
Bruno Fornaroli and Nick D’Agostino also made their bows in front of a bumper crowd of over 800, with Head Coach Tony Popovic changing his entire eleven at half time in what was a competitive hit-out against the NPL WA outfit.
Glory’s first two goals arrived ten minutes either side of the break, Tratt’s header catching out home ‘keeper Devon Spence for the first and Gabriel Popovic firing home the second from close-range.
Kristian Popovic then rounded off the scoring with a similarly opportunistic finish 12 minutes from the end, leaving his Head Coach pleased with the overall performance.
“It was a good first hit-out,” he said.
“We introduced a lot of new players, didn’t pick up any injuries from the game which is important and it helped us to prepare for Saturday and to be in the best condition we can possibly be.
“Bayswater did very well and gave us a good run and we’re pleased.”
The visitors’ first chance of the night fell the way of Tomislav Mrcela who saw his delicate chip drift over after Devon Spence’s punched clearance had landed at his feet on the edge of the box.
Fornaroli, Brandon Wilson and Joel Chianese then all blazed shots over the bar when well placed, before Chris Harold was foiled by a sprawling save from Spence after racing into the penalty area.
The visitors were not to be denied just short of the break, however, Neil Kilkenny returning the ball into the box after his initial corner had been cleared and Tratt looping a header over the stranded Spence.
A bright start to the second half saw both goalkeepers called into action in the space of a minute, Spence getting down well to block Ethan Brooks’ effort and Tando Velaphi then doing likewise to deny Sean McManus.
And moments later Glory doubled their advantage as Gabriel Popovic latched on to a quickly-taken free-kick from Joshua Rawlins before applying an emphatic finish.
Kristian Popovic was then in the right place at the right time on 78 minutes, rifling home the loose ball from six yards out to make it 3-0 and round off a solid night’s preparation ahead of Saturday’s prestige friendly against Manchester United.
Match Details
Bayswater City 0 Perth Glory 3 (Tratt 39′, G.Popvic 49′, K.Popovic 78′)
Half-time: 0-1
Referee: Adam Fielding
Bayswater City: 1.Devon SPENCE (25.Luke HUTCHINSON 65′), 5. Adam HARRIS (15.Hamish VAN DIEKEN 60′), 9. Gustavo Giron MARULANDA, 12. Steve HESKETH (19. Gordon SMITH 65′), 13. Trent KAY (c) (6.Todd HOWARTH 55′), 17. Daryl NICOL, 18.Brent GRIFFITHS (30. Adam TONG 55′), 20. Giordano COLLI (4.Aryn WILLIAMS, 60′), 22. Logan RANDELL, 24. Jake SARDELIC (10. Jason MIRCO 65′), 27.Ross MILLARD (22. Logan RANDELL 55′)
Substitutes not used: None
Yellow cards: None
Red cards: None
Perth Glory First Half: 33.Liam REDDY, 3.Jacob TRATT, 4.Shane LOWRY, 5.Ivan FRANJIC, 7.Joel CHIANESE, 10.Bruno FORNAROLI, 14.Chris HAROLD, 15,Brandon WILSON, 16.Tomislav MRCELA, 27.Juande, 88.Neil KILKENNY
Perth Glory Second Half: 1.Tando VELAPHI, 2.Daniel WALSH, 6.Luke BODNAR, 11.Ethan BROOKS (19.Trent OSTLER 80′), 12.Joshua RAWLINS, 18.Gabriel POPOVIC, 20.Jake BRIMMER, 21.Nick WALSH, 24.Zayd FARAH (17.Joshua SAMSON 80′), 26.Nick D’AGOSTINO, 29.Kristian POPOVIC
Substitutes not used: 22.Riley WARLAND, 30.Jackson LEE
Yellow cards: Mrcela
Red cards: None
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