Perth Glory youth will be out to solidify their place on top of the league ladder as they go head-to-head with Sydney FC this Saturday at Dorrien Gardens.
Perth Glory youth will be out to solidify their place on top of the league ladder as they go head-to-head with Sydney FC this Saturday at Dorrien Gardens.
The Glory young guns claimed top spot last weekend with their 1-0 victory over Central Coast Mariners and are now gunning for their eighth consecutive win this weekend
Perth midfielder David Price says the boys were ecstatic to be in an unprecedented position on top of the table.
“We were really happy to get the three points.
“They (Central Coast) were top of the league and they had quite a few first team players as well, so to beat them and claim top spot was a great feeling,” Price said.
Perth has now beaten every other team in the competition but Price is adamant the boys are keeping grounded and working harder than ever to maintain their excellent form.
“We-ve got good team spirit and training is going really well at the moment.
“Gareth Naven (youth coach) is keeping us on the ball and we-re not sitting back thinking that we are top of the league and that we-re just going along with the motions.
“We-re training even harder these days and that-s what is keeping us going,” Price said.
Price endured a tough run with injuries which saw him out of action for several weeks, but made a successful return to the squad in round 17.
The young star says he is gaining fitness with each game and is looking forward to being a part of the squad as the Glory youths strive for their first finals berth.
“It-s great to get a bit of game time at the moment. I-m hoping to get more time on the pitch as I get fitter game by game.
“When I am out there, I just want to prove myself and show Glory that I can stand up and be an asset to the team,” Price added.
Looking ahead to this weekend-s clash, Price believes the squad is ready and raring to take it to the reigning league champions.
“We-re expecting a tough game, but at the moment all the boys are really fit and we-ve had great preparation leading into the match.
“We-re all on a bit of a high, having won seven games in a row, so I think going into it we-re pretty confident.
“We-ll be out there for the victory, we-ve had a great run lately and we are determined to continue that this weekend,” Price said.
National Youth League 2009/10 – Round 19
Perth Glory v Sydney FC
Saturday, 9 January 2010 at Dorrien Gardens, Perth
Local kick-off: 5.00pm
Referee:Steven Gregory
Perth Glory Squad:Ludovic BOI, Tim DOYLE (gk), Cameron EDWARDS, Dean EVANS, Howard FONDYKE, Brent GRIFFTHS, Mario MARCINKO, Sam MITCHINSON, Alex PEARSON (gk), Ryan PEARSON, David PRICE, Joshua RISDON, Adam TAGGART, Glen TRIFIRO, Reece VITTIGLIA., Alex VRTESKI
*one to be omitted*
Unavailable: Steven HESKETH (C) (suspended 1 week), Million BUTSHIIRE(injured 6 weeks), Hayden DOYLE (injured 1 week)
Sydney FC Squad: Nenad VEKIC [gk], Steve TIBBETS, Mitchell SPEER, Joseph GIBBS, Sam GALLAGHER, Dimitri PETRATOS, Hussein AKIL, Kerem BULUT, Iain RAMSAY, Joel CHIANESE, Tim MCGOWAN, Ray MILLER, Luke AUSTIN, Mark PULLMAN [gk], Sam MUNRO (c), Adam CASEY
*one to be omitted*
Unavailable: Nil