Perth Glory host top of the table Inglewood United on Saturday at Ashfield Reserve, in week three of the PS4 National Premier League WA (3.00pm)
The Glory youngsters played a hard fought 0-0 draw last week against Cockburn City, in their first home game of the season, and Coach John Gibson said the young side performed well to earn the point, especially being without a couple of important players.
“Last week was pleasing for the group, but we need to be better in certain areas on the park,” Gibson said.
“But the performance was pretty good from the young group,
“We were without experienced players Ross Millard and skipper Calvin Whitney, who have been strong performers for us in the Foxtel National Youth League and the QBE Night Series, but opportunities were afforded to some younger members that came in and performed well, which also showed that they can potentially cope in the NPL competition.”
Glory beat Saturday’s opponents convincingly in the Night Series, but Gibson knows Saturday will be a different proposition.
“It was a good performance in the Night Series, but we know it will be a totally different game this time around,” he said.
“We’ve every confidence in each other, and we know that we need to have another strong consistent performance this weekend – that’s our aim.
“They (Inglewood) are currently doing well and playing some good football and have a strong squad, so it should be a good game.”
Whitney will miss another week, but Millard returns to the squad for Saturday’s game, and he said last week’s battling draw was a well-earned point.
“I was very disappointed that I missed the Cockburn game, but the boys put in another performance in which they pushed right to the line,” Millard said.
“It was just one of those days where things wouldn’t go for us, so to come away with a point to kick start our campaign is a positive.
“I think the team that we put out in the game was one of the youngest teams we’ve played since I signed for the club.
“It’s a great thing to see the young boys step up and all put in assured performances and show that hidden depth that we have, and that’s credit to the attitude and standard we all drive here.”
The former Stevenage FC trainee said they go into Saturday’s game looking for the three points.
“Just like we do with every game, we go into it with the upmost confidence and really believe we can win,” Millard said.
“We’ve shown against Bayswater how well we can play and how dangerous we can be for opposition teams, so Inglewood will be wary of what we can produce.
“In saying that Inglewood is a good team and that’s shown with them sitting on top of the table after the first two games. My suspension has finished now so I’m available if Gibbo chooses to pick me.
Glory members are entitled to free entry to the Glory Youngsters PS4 NPLWA home games at Ashfield Reserve, so get along and support the boys – The Under 18’s kick off at 11.00am, the Under 20’s at 1pm with the First Team at 3.00pm.
