Perth Glory’s rejuvenated squad had their first pre-season hit-out against National Premier League side Inglewood United overnight to compete the inaugural Kramer Memorial Cup, in memory of the WA Footballing legend, Siggy Kramer, who sadly passed away last week.
Perth Glory-s rejuvenated squad had their first pre-season hit-out against National Premier League side, Inglewood United, overnight to compete for the inaugural Kramer Memorial Cup, in memory of the WA Footballing legend, Siggy Kramer, who sadly passed away last week.
The game proved competitive early on with the Glory moving the ball wide and with pace, although possession didn’t seem the key to winning for Inglewood United.
United showed their counter attacking intention early on with, Abdul Sesay, down the left taking the first shot of the match, wide right of Jack Duncan-s net.
United-s threat proved real not too soon after, with the opening goal of the game from recognized NPLWA goal scorer, Ryan Clarke.
The local league target man demonstrating his worth with a cool finish to Duncan-s right and finding the bottom corner of the goal and the lead for Inglewood.
Glory saw this as a sign and immediately stepped their game up a gear, but it wasn’t until just over 15 minutes later that the sides drew level.
New recruit, Andy Keogh, found space on the right and looked to be heading toward goal, but was cut down close to the corner flag to give Glory a free kick in a prime position.
Verified dead ball specialist, Nebo Markinkovic-s, free kick was cleared by the Inglewood defence, only to be picked up by Michael Thwaite, who after beaingt the out coming United defence, struck the ball low across goal, finding new Glory striker, Keogh, for an easy tap in to level the score.
FIRST HALF SQUAD: 18. Jack DUNCAN, 19. Josh RISDON, 6. Dino DJULBIC, 23. Michael THWAITE, 21. Scott JAMIESON, 3. Brandon O-NEILL, 13. Diogo FERREIRA, 11. Richard GARCIA, 10. Nebojsa MARINKOVIC, 9. Andy KEOGH, 16. Sidnei SCIOLA.
With an injection of youth, the second half gave game time to eight of the Glory-s NPLWA squad members, including youth international representatives Rocco Pizzata and Matthew Ntoumenopolous.
The second half also gave time to fan favourite, Jamie Maclaren, who caused an NPL stir last time he played at Intiga Stadium.
Maclaren burst onto the field with a shot within the first minute.
Again, just five minutes later, Maclaren, found himself one on one with Inglewood keeper, Luke Martino, but pulled his shot just wide of the goal.
With neither side being able to break the deadlock the game went straight to a penalty shoot-out. NPLWA and National Youth League Captain, Blamo Qua Qua had his deciding penalty saved by Inglewood substitute keeper, Jake Lurk, giving Inglewood the win and the Kramer Memorial Cup.
Inglewood United: 1 ( Ryan CLARKE 11-)
Perth Glory: 1 ( Andy KEOGH 28-)
Penalties: Inglewood 4-3 Perth Glory
Inglewood: 1. Luke MARTIN, 5. Scott BLACKMORE, 6. Ryan FRANCIS, 8. David PERICH, 9. Ryan CLARKE, 10. Greg SHARLAND, 11. David SESAY, 15. Abdul SESAY, 18. Jason COLLI, 20. Teeboy KAMARA, 23. Andrija JUKIC, 20. Jake LUIK, 16. Sean BROWNE, 17. Dario PAVIC, 19. Jaedon EWEN, 21. Josh DEMARTE, 12. Hayden DODGSON.
Perth Glory (Second-Half): 18. Jack DUNCAN, 29. Joshua TUCKER, 25. Rocco PIZZATA, 2. Jack CLISBY, 20. Hanafi GHAZALI, 6. Jacob COLLARD, 28. Blamo QUA QUA, 35. Slob VULIN, 15. Jaime MACLAREN, 17. Chris HAROLD, 7. Matthew NTOUMENOPOLOUS, 27. Joe KNOWLES.
