Perth Glory conceded a goal five minutes from time to draw 1-1 with Cockburn City in Week 13 of the PS4 NPLWA at Dalmatinac Park.
Winger Daniel Stynes looked like he had won all three points for the Glory youngsters when he scored on 83 minutes, but Ruben Tristao levelled two minutes later to give both sides a share of the spoils.
Perth coach John Gibson admitted he was disappointed to concede a goal straight after scoring.
“The group are really angry with themselves to have conceded a goal straight after we worked very hard to take the lead,” Gibson said.
“They are super disappointed to concede as they have strategies in place to deal with these key moments. It’s a very tough lesson.
“We were really happy with the performance – a controlled and consistent performance but we are still striving to be better in many areas.”
Gibson said it’s been a heavy work load on the players but again he was delighted with their attitude and work ethic.
“It’s been hard on the group with the Frenz tournament in Malaysia, and the catch up game in midweek,” Gibson said.
“But our environment thrives on these wonderful challenges and the group is super adaptive and flexible – massive credit to them.
“Today, like any other day the group is driven to be better individually and collective – it’s now about the details involved.
“Next week we face a stern test against an experienced Inglewood side.”
Stynes, who scored his second goal of the season, said the players were gutted after the game.
“It was very hard to take after the game, we completely dominated them for most of the game and had ample chances to kill the game off however we didn’t,” Stynes explained.
“We also did very well defensively against a tough side, but it was a much improved performance than the two previous games so that’s a lot better.”
Defender Scott Robertson said it was a good performance and they deserved the win.
“I thought it was a really strong team performance. However, it’s another game where we fully deserved the 3 points but didn’t win,” Robertson said.
“We put Cockburn under the pump in the first half and we played some great football but couldn’t capitalise.
“A number of chances went begging in the second half which would’ve made life easier for us.
“I’m proud of we defended and created chances throughout the game, we worked so hard for each other and gave our all.”
Glory keeper Jordan Thurtell was in action early saving well to deny former Glory youth midfielder Ali Gholami, who was sent clear by Julian Teles.
In-form striker Nikola Talimdzioski put his shot over the crossbar on the quarter hour, as the Glory grew in confidence. Joe Knowles, Stynes and Talimdzioski were causing problems, and they went close to the lead in the shadows of half time. Gian Albano lost his marker on the edge of the penalty area, but his shot on a tight angle flashed past the post.
Glory opened brightly in the second half and Knowles run and shot flashed over the top, before Stynes was denied by a stunning save from Luke Radonich.
Thurtell came to his sides rescue just after the hour, after substitute Aiden De Luz broke through one-on-one with the Glory custodian, but Thurtell was off his line bravely to save at his feet.
Glory were pressing and Knowles’ header on 76 minutes was well saved by Radonich, before the striker raced clear again moments later, but his shot from the angle was over the top.
Then it was Cockburn who went close, with the lively De Luz racing clear, but a superb last ditch tackle from Robertson denied him.
But on 83 minutes the Glory’s pressure was rewarded with the opener. Stynes finding the bottom corner after receiving the ball at the edge of the box from Knowles.
However the Glory’s celebrations turned to heartbreak after Cockburn equalised two minutes later. Tristao was given too much room and the midfielder fired low past Thurtell, to give both sides a share of the spoils.
Match Details
Cockburn City 1 (Tristao 85’)
Perth Glory 1 (Stynes 83’)
Saturday, 18 June 2016
Dalmatinac Park
Kick-off: 3pm
Referee: Joshua Nixon
Assistants: Max Hallas, Peter Kaiser
Cockburn City: GK Luke RADONICH, 3 Josh KUSAR, 4 Euen GRANT, 6 Ruben TRISTAO, 7 Ali GHOLAMI, 8 Cameron EDWARDS, 10 David ARAYA, 12 Kenel MOUITHYS, 13 Blake ADAMS, 14 Julian TELES (18 Aiden DE LUZ 67’), 16 Daniel DOLS (2 Nathan DE ABREU 75’)
Subs not used: RGK Ryan BARKER, 15 Andrew EMSAVANA, 17 Jesse LAZZARO
Yellow cards: Dols 73’, Radonich 89’
Red cards: Nil
Perth Glory: GK Jordan THURTELL, 2 Gian ALBANO, 3 Jack IREDALE (15 Ben JOHNS 81’), 4 Scott ROBERTSON, 5 Ross MILLARD, 6 Sean TROUP, 7 Yacoub MUSTAFA, 8 Dejan SPASESKI, 9 Joseph KNOWLES, 10 Daniel STYNES, 11 Nikola TALIMDZIOSKI
Subs not used: RGK Riley STEPHENSON, 12 Losene DULLEH, 13 Jack LEACH, 14 Luke BODNER
Yellow cards: Iredale 49’
Red cards: nil
