The PGFC Academy First Team secured a place in the NPL WA Top Four Cup in fine style on Saturday, Chris Donnell, Ciaran Bramwell, Charlie Leech, Josh Anasmo and Giordano Colli all finding the net in a thumping 5-1 win over Inglewood United at Crazy Domains Stadium, Hartfield Park.
Glory’s final game of the regular season had threatened to be a tense affair, with Ruben Zadkovich’s side needing a point to clinch fourth spot and the visitors knowing that a win would see them pip the hosts and claim the final Cup berth for themselves.
But a blistering start from the men in purple settled any nerves almost immediately and paved the way for the most comfortable of victories.
Donnell got things underway in the 11th minute, staking his claim for Goal of the Season by picking out the top corner with a sensational half-volley from 25 metres out.
Six minutes later Glory doubled their advantage, Adam Zimarino’s inswinging corner causing chaos in the Inglewood box and the in-form Leech pouncing to drill the loose ball into the net.
With United clearly on the ropes, the hosts went for the knockout and made it 3-0 moments later when Jack Andrews’ long throw was forced home at the second attempt by Bramwell.
Just short of the half-hour mark, Glory struck again, Leech and Zimarino combining superbly to tee up Anasmo for the simplest of tap-ins at the far post.
With the result effectively in the bag, the second half was a slightly more sedate affair and although United reduced the arrears via Steve Sokol’s successful spot-kick five minutes in, they rarely threatened to force their way back into the contest.
The final quarter saw Scott Blackmore receive a second yellow card following his lunging challenge on Bramwell and Glory took advantage of their numerical superiority to add a fifth goal ten minutes from time as substitute Tyler Vecchio’s low cross was put away by the onrushing Colli.
There had already been plenty of joy earlier in the day as the Under-20s wrapped up the league title with a 5-1 win, their 17th victory of a remarkable campaign.
And the Under-18s will also be playing in the Top Four Cup as they finished third despite losing 2-0 on the day.
Next Saturday will see the First Team in Semi-Final action against Sorrento at Percy Doyle Reserve (kick-off at 3pm), with the Under-20s facing Bayswater City at Inglewood Stadium at 11am.
The Under-18s are also in action at Inglewood Stadium where their clash with Perth SC will get underway at 9am.
Match Details
PGFC Academy First Team 5 (Donnell 11′, Leech 17′, Bramwell 20′, Anasmo 29′, Colli 80′) Inglewood United 1 (Sokol (pen) 50′)
Half-time: 4-0
Referee: Steven Gregory
PGFC Academy First Team: 30.Cameron COOK (GK), 3.Jacob MUIR, 4.Aian COYNE, 5.Joseph FORDE, 6.Chris DONNELL (9.Aidan EDWARDS 67′), 7.Charlie LEECH, 9.Ciaran BRAMWELL (15.Lewis TUCKER 83′), 11.Adam ZIMARINO, 17.Josh ANASMO (18.Tyler VECCHIO 73′), 22.Jack ANDREWS (12.Will FORMSTON 83′)
Substitutes not used: 1.Sam REILLY (GK)
Yellow Cards: Donnell, Anasmo, Forde
Red Cards: None
Inglewood United: 1.Alex DUNN (GK) (C), 2.Alex ISHIDA-LIVINGS, 4.Scott BLACKMORE, 5.Thiak KUEL, 7.Ajak RIAK (11.Egide NGENDAKUMANA 67′), 8.Jason BARRERA (6.Andrea THEODOSIADES 63′), 9.Robert PETKOV (15.Roberto SOARES 86′), 10.Anthony BAFOBUSHA, 13.Brodie LANGAN, 14.Steve SOKOL (21.Hamza BELHASSAN 86′), 17.Mark BARNETT
Substitutes not used: 22.Josiah GODFREY (GK)
Yellow Cards: Blackmore, Dunn, Barnett,
Red Cards: Blackmore
(picture courtesy of Tom McCarthy)
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