Perth Glory entertains Melbourne City in the top of the table Foxtel National Youth League clash at Ashfield Sports Club on Saturday morning (11am).
Only goal difference separates the two teams going into the game and the last time they met City came out on top 2-1 in a tight contest.
Glory Coach John Gibson is looking for his young side to continue its good form from recent weeks.
“We have been playing well, and it’s been tough playing three games in six days, but the lads are really taking on what we are trying to implement here,” Gibson said.
“They (City) are a well drilled side and last time we played them it could have gone either way, so we’re expecting another tight game and hope we can come out on top.”
The chance to lift the club’s first National Youth League title is something that is driving the players but Gibson was remaining coy.
“It’s just another match, but we will be looking to improve and get a positive result,” he said.
“It’s an important game for both sides, but we have been very formidable at home and to win will give us confidence going into the final two games of the season”.
With the title race so close Gibson believes his players will lift, but he knows the table doesn’t lie and they deserve to be at the top.
“The players have spoken about giving the club their first NYL title,” he explained.
‘We’ve been in a good position all year, and we’ve wanted to continue on with our processes that we have been trying to implement. We’ve worked hard all season and the effort the players and coaching staff have out in puts ourselves in a great positon to do that.”
Gibson has overseen the improvement of his players who’ve been rewarded by being elevated to the first team squad, most recently Mitch Oxborrow, who was on the bench last week against Sydney FC.
He knows they have a number of talented players and is calling on the football community to support the team at Ashfield for the big game.
“It would be great to see the Glory members and supporters down at Ashfield to watch the lads, in this top of the table clash,” he said.
Gibson celebrated his birthday earlier this week and will be secretly wishing the players give him a belated present in the form of three points on Saturday.
“It would be nice, but whatever happens I know they will give me everything,” he said.
Glory welcome back Joe Knowles from injury for the game, and the striker is hoping to add to his nine goal tally.
“It’s our biggest game of the season, so the boys will be up for it,” Knowles said.
“It will be a tough match, but we are at home after two away games last week, so we will be doing our best to continue our unbeaten run on home soil.”
Knowles missed the 2-1 win against Western Sydney Wanderers last week due to a head injury, but said the camaraderie between the players was great.
“The week away was a great experience and brought us a lot closer as a team,” he said.
“It showed the way we fought back to win last week, and we are working for one another, and we hope it continues on Saturday and we can come away with the points.”
The game kicks off at 11am at the Ashfield Sports Club.
