A second-half fightback from the PGFC Academy First Team came up short as they were downed 4-2 by new NPL WA league ladders Bayswater City at Frank Drago Reserve on Saturday.
The Glory youngsters headed into the game looking to close in on the top four having picked up four points from their previous two outings, but it was City who made the faster start.
Gordon Smith had already forced Adrian Sinagra into a fingertip save before former Glory man Ndumba Makeche opened the scoring in the 25th minute, driving into the box and applying a composed finish.
Sinagra was then called into action again, this time to deny Makeche in a one-on-one situation, while Glory’s best chance of the opening period came right on half-time when City ‘keeper Nic Speca was beaten to a long ball by Andrew Maranta, only for the midfielder’s header to fly narrowly wide of the unguarded net.
Ago Mujic’s side were not to be denied midway through the second period, however, Adam Zimarino neatly picking out the corner with what was to prove to be the first of four goals in the space of just 13 frantic minutes.
Makeche restored Bayswater’s lead from the penalty spot before claiming his hat-trick to make it 3-1 with another neat finish.
Less than a minute later, Ciaran Bramwell struck to reduce the arrears and set up a tense finale, but the home side finally made the points safe in stoppage-time courtesy of a fine free-kick from Kosta Sparta and Glory played out the dying seconds with ten men after Zimarino saw red, seemingly for dissent.
There was better news earlier in the day for the table-topping Under-20s who ran out 2-0 winners to maintain their 100% record this season and the Under-18s also remain in pole position after a 1-1 draw.
All three teams will return to NPL WA action on Saturday when Inglewood United will provide the opposition at Crazy Domains Stadium at Hartfield Park.
The Under-18s kick off at 2pm, followed by the Under-20s at 4pm and the First Team at 6pm.
(picture courtesy of Tom McCarthy)
Match Details
Bayswater City 4 (Makeche 25′, 73′ (pen), 80′, Sparta 90+5′) PGFC Academy First Team 2 (Zimarino 68′, Bramwell 81′)
Half-time: 1-0
Referee: Michael Jasinski
Frank Drago Reserve
Bayswater City: 1.Nic SPECA (GK), 7.Jon STYNES, 8.Gordon SMITH (18.Fraser DUNLOP 87′), 9.Ndumba MAKECHE, 10.Jason MIRCO, 12.Steven HESKETH (C), 13.Jordan ABRAHAMS, 20.Sam MITCHINSON, 26.Zayd FARAH, 28.Konstantions SPARTA, 30.Thomas SOUTHGATE
Substitutes not used: 3.Jack ALLEN, 4.Michael ZIMARINO, 11.Ryan PEARSON, 25.Ben RATAJCZAK
Yellow Cards: Smith, Makeche, Southgate
Red Cards: None
PGFC Academy First Team: 1.Adrian SINAGRA, 3.Aidan COYNE, 4.Jacob YOUNG (C), 5.Daniel WALSH (12.Will FORMSTON 73′), 6.Chris DONNELL (C), 7.Trent OSTLER, 8.Andrew MARANTA (17.Lucas COOK 73′), 9.Josh ANASMO (18.Joe HOBSON 83′), 10.Ciaran BRAMWELL (11.Jayden LEADER 83′), 15.Tyler VECCHIO (14.Lucas ROSSI 79′), 20.Adam ZIMARINO
Substitutes not used: 13.Judd MACDOUGALL, 16.Keegan GRANT (GK)
Yellow Cards: Vecchio, Coyne, Cook
Red Cards: Zimarino
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