A second-half header from veteran Eugene Dadi fired Perth to consecutive National Youth League victories with a 1-0 result against Central Coast in sweltering conditions in NSW on Saturday.
A second-half header from veteran Eugene Dadi fired Perth to consecutive National Youth League victories with a 1-0 result against Central Coast in sweltering conditions in NSW on Saturday.
Dadi, who was a second half substitute, took advantage of some great lead-up play from fellow senior listed team mate Todd Howarth to head home the winner at the back post in the 77th minute.
The Mariners, sitting equal on points at the top of the NYL table, went into the match as firm favourites after some impressive recent performances however Perth-s youngsters have produced more than their fair share of quality football this season and today was no exception.
Despite the match kicking off at 7.00am Perth time the visitors looked alert and ready for action and handled the oppressive heat better than the home side.
Ludovic Boi was again outstanding and he and Adam Taggart both had good sights on goal after Dadi’s opener as the Glory were unlucky not to extend their lead in the final 10 minutes.
While the Mariners shaded Perth in possession over the first half they rarely threatened Glory custodian Aleks Vrteski. Half chances fell at both ends in the first stanza but it was the visitors who stepped up a gear following the main break.
Dadi-s introduction gave Glory a different feel in attack and he could have put Perth in front in the 60th minute but his close range header was straight at Mariners goalkeeper Andrew Redmayne.
Brendan Griffin then had the Mariners’ best chance to score but was cut out by some desperate Perth defence before Dadi pounced at the other end of the field.
The match saw a return for Glory favourite Jamie Harnwell who took to the field for the first time in two months after recovering from a knee injury. The hardworking utility made it through unscathed and will be looking to step up his output in the coming weeks and push for a return to the senior side.
National Youth League 2009: Rd12
Central Coast 0
Perth Glory 1 (Eugene Dadi 77-)
Saturday, 28 November 2009 at Pluim Park, Gosford
Referee Brett Hookham
Central Coast Mariners Youth: 1.Andrew REDMAYNE (gk) 2.Nathan SHERLOCK, 3.David D-APUZZO (17.David GULLO 60-), 5.Luka DUKIC, (11.Mitchell MALLIA 46-), 6.Manny GIANNAROS, 7.Brendan GRIFFIN, 9.Gavin FORBES, (8.Nicholas FITZGERALD 60-), 12.Shane HUKE, 14.Brady SMITH 15.Adam ORMSBY (c), 18.Matthew LEWIS
Substitutes not used: 20. Mathew Ryan (GK)
Yellow Cards: Gavin Forbes 33-, Luka Dukic 36-, Nicholas Fitzgerald 71-, Mitchell Mallia 90+3-
Red Cards
Perth Glory Youth: 40.Aleks VRTESKI (gk) (OA) (1.Alex PEARSON (gk) 60-), 11.Ludovic BOI, 6.Dean EVANS, 4.Sam MITCHINSON, 3.Scott NEVILLE, 2.Ryan PEARSON, 5.Josh RISDON (7.Cameron EDWARDS 60-), 14.Glen TRIFIRO (13.Adam TAGGART 60-) 8.Todd HOWARTH (OA), 10.Andrija JUKIC (c) (OA), 15.Jamie HARNWELL (OA) (9.Eugene DADI 46- (OA))
Substitutes not used:
Yellow Cards: Ryan Pearson 82-
Red Cards
