Perth Glory Youth has suffered a heart breaking 2-1 loss to Gold Coast United in the National Youth League Grand Final at Etihad Stadium in Melbourne.
Perth Glory Youth has suffered a heart breaking 2-1 loss to Gold Coast United in the National Youth League Grand Final at Etihad Stadium in Melbourne.
Midfielder Dean Evans looked to have given Perth the championship with a stunning 74th minute strike but Gold Coast hit back with two late goals to sink a gallant Glory.
Despite the loss, Perth Glory Chief Executive Paul Kelly said he was extremely proud of the teams performance.
“No shame in losing this game, the team played well and they had a fantastic season.”
In a free flowing first half both goal keepers starred with Alex Pearson and Jerrad Tyson forced to make a string of crucial saves.
Pearson was outstanding as he kept the Gold Coast at bay with a handful of stunning stops to deny Ben Halloran and Chris Harold while Tyson was called into action to frustrate Perth forwards Mario Marcinko and Ludovic Boi.
The brilliance of Pearson continued at the start of the second half when he again frustrated Halloran with a sensational double save.
Just minutes later Pearson was at it again, first pushing Anderson-s goal bound header away for a corner before he made another big save.
But Evans then stood tall with one of the goals of the season. Given room mid-way in his attacking half, the Glory midfielder struck the ball beautifully from 30 meters to give Tyson no chance.
Despite the set-back, Gold Coast kept coming and with eight minutes to play Pearson was finally beaten when Perth born forward Harold headed home the equaliser.
With the match then destined for extra-time, Tahj Minniecon twisted and turned past Glory substitute Howard Fondyke to seal a dramatic late win.
National Youth League: Grand Final
Perth Glory: 1 (EVANS 74-)
Gold Coast United: 2 (HAROLD 82-, MINNIECON 90-)
Saturday, 20 March 2010 at Etihad Stadium, Melbourne
Referee: Jarred Gillett
Perth Glory Youth squad:1. Alex PEARSON (gk), 2. Ryan PEARSON, 3. Steve HESKETH (c), 4. Sam MITCHINSON, 5. Joshua RISDON (8.Howard FONDYKE 58-), 6. Dean EVANS, 9. Mario MARCINKO, 10. Glen TRIFIRO, 11. Ludovic BOI, 12. Reece VITTIGLIA (7.Tommy AMPHLETT 73-), 21. Hayden DOYLE (Sebit OYET 90+2-)
Substitutes not used:Tim DOYLE (gk),
Yellow Cards:MARCINKO 17-, MITCHINSON 53-
Red Cards: Nil
Gold Coast United Youth Squad:1. Jerrad TYSON (gk), 2. Steven TOPALOVIC, 3. James BROWN, 5. Ben WEARING, 7. Zac ANDERSON, 8. Steven LUSTICA (c), 9. Chris HAROLD, 10. Koh SATAKE (15. Rueben WAY 77-), 11. Ben HALLORAN (6. Mitchell BEVAN 77-), 12. Tahj MINNIECON, 14. Josh BRILLANTE
Substitutes not used: Tim ANDERSON (gk), 4. Callum HARE
Yellow Cards: BROWN
Red Cards: Nil
