Bryce Bafford’s second-half effort secured a deserved point for the PGFC Academy First Team as they began their delayed NPL WA campaign with a 1-1 draw at Balcatta.
In what was an entertaining game played out in perfect conditions at Grindleford Reserve, Adam Zimarino gave the hosts an early lead before Richard Garcia’s side deservedly hit back just short of the hour-mark courtesy of Bafford’s deflected strike.
Glory’s goalscorer had hit the post in the first-half, with Charlie Leech just unable to scramble the loose ball home, while the hosts’ Jonathan Corness was also denied by the woodwork when his spectacular scissor-kick rattled the bar.
Aiden Edwards, meanwhile, called Balcatta ‘keeper Riley Stephenson into action on several occasions with long-range shots and at the other end, only a stunning last-ditch challenge from Jacob Muir prevented Zimarino from bagging what may well have proved to be the winner for his side right at the death.
The draw completed a haul of seven points for the PGFC Academy teams on the day, with the Under-18s and Under-20s recording respective 1-0 and 7-0 victories.
All three sides return to action on Saturday (11 July) when they will host Rockingham City at the club’s new NPL WA home, 1620 Capital Stadium at Hartfield Park, Forrestfield.
The Under-18s will get things underway at 11am, followed by the Under-20s at 1pm and the First Team at 3pm.
Match Details
Balcatta 1 (Zimarino 8′) Perth Glory 1 (Bafford 59′)
Half-time: Balcatta 1-0 Perth Glory
Referee: Arvin Shanmuganathan
Balcatta: 20.Riley STEPHENSON (GK), 2.Joseph MARINO, 4.Calum O’ÇONNELL, 5.John KEARNEY (c), 6.Alexander CASTIELLO, 7.Callum STOCKS (9.Charles BREEN 56′), 8.Jack LEECH, 10.Jonathan CORNESS, 11.Michael ZIMARINO, 14.Adam TONG, 16.Adam ZIMARINO
Yellow Cards: Tong 76′
Red Cards: None
Perth Glory: 1.Sam REILLY (GK), 3.Hristijan JANKULOSKI (14.Jacob MUIR 53′), 4.Jack PAINTER-ANDREWS, 5.Aidan COYNE, 5.Mason TATAFU, 6.Aiki TSUKAMOTO, 7.Joseph FORDE, 8.Aiden EDWARDS (16.Chris DONNELL), 10.Giordano COLLI (c), 11.Charlie LEECH, 19. Bryce BAFFORD (15.Albert FULLARD 74′)
Yellow Cards: Tatafu, Coyne, Donnell, Tsukamoto
Red Cards: None
#OneGlory
(picture courtesy of Tom McCarthy)
