Perth Glory NPL came up against a strong Balcatta side who all but clinched themselves third position on the NPL WA table with a 4-0 win at Grindleford Reserve on Saturday afternoon.
Carlo Coehlo netted a brace for the home side, accompanied by goals from Benny Kouakou and Laurence Shurama.
Their superior goal difference of 16 means next week’s results are highly unlikely to affect their standing.
Glory opened the game well and had the first chance after a poor clearance from Matt Brook gave Nic Talimdzioski a clear shot, which he sent wide.
But it was Balcatta who scored the first goal in the 10th minute after Kieran Stallard’s shot was saved by keeper Luke Radonich, with the rebound falling to Coelho who didn’t hesitate in smashing it home.
They doubled their lead 10 minutes later with another rebound goal and this time it was Shuruma who thumped it into the net.
Glory seemed to struggle with Balcatta’s constant pressure, on and off the ball.
They had some promising chances – Bor Bor Sambindi caused problems down the left wing with his step-overs and quick pace – but lacked options.
Balcatta came close to netting their third on the counter in the 37th minute with a great shot from Kouakou but it was tipped over the crossbar by Radonich.
The visitors came out positively after half-time and immediately won a corner but Sambindi’s attempt to slide the ball into the bottom right corner of the goal was stopped by Kouakou.
Glory had a good spell of possession and a second corner in the 53rd minute saw Josh Tucker’s header rebound off a Balcatta player into the keeper’s hands.
Despite Glory’s improved defending, Balcatta extended their lead eleven minutes later when Coelho struck a ball that had rolled across the goal face.
Kris Gate was granted a penalty in the 78th minute after being brought down by Radonich, but he hit the ball wide to the left.
After hunting for a goal all game Kouakou was finally rewarded on the stroke of full-time when Shuruma passed it right to his feet, allowing him to put the ball away comfortably.
Glory coach John Gibson said consistency is the key for his young side.
“If you look at the goals we’ve conceded this season a lot of them possibly come from our errors when we have the ball,” he said. “We need to make sure in transitional moments that we are lot better and we are accountable in defending those areas.”
Gibson said the boys deserved credit for stepping up each week, rather than throwing the towel in.
“These guys show an amazing amount of character and spirit and belief in what were are trying to do,” he said.
BALCATTA FC 4 (Coehlo 10′, 74′, Shuruma 21′, Kouakou 90′)
PERTH GLORY 0
Saturday 16th August, 2014
Grindleford Reserve, Balcatta
Kick off: 3.00pm
Crowd: Approx 300
Referee: Matthew Cheeseman
Assistants: Matthew Southern, Oliver Allen
Perth Glory: GK Luke RADONICH, 3. David STOKOE, (12. Matt NTOUMENOPOLOUS 63’), 4. Rocco PIZZATA, 5. Jack OLDHAM, 6. Blamo QUA QUA, (17. Cal WHITNEY 66’), 7. Bor Bor SAMBINDI, 8. Jacob COLLARD, 9. Joe KNOWLES, 11. Nic TALIMDZIOSKI, 18. Slob VULIN, (14. Sean TROUP 72’), 19. Josh TUCKER.
Substitutes not used: RGK Ryan BARKER, 15. Mark BARNETT.
Yellow Cards: Nil
Red Cards: Nil
