Despite the absence of a host of key players, the PGFC Academy First Team produced a brave display against high-flying Olympic Kingsway in the NPL WA on Saturday before eventually being edged out 1-0 at Lark Hill.
With Aiki Tsukamoto, Daniel Bennie, Kaelan Majekodunmi, James Overy, Joel Anasmo, Andriano Lebib, Corey Sutherland and Jaylan Pearman all on duty for the senior team against West Ham at Optus Stadium, Glory fielded what was effectively an Under-20s team on the day and yet still went to-to-toe with the full-strength visitors.
Seb Despotovski was among those to go close for John Walmsley’s side, drawing an alert first-half save from David Keenan in the Olympic goal, while Royie Rahamim and Khoa Ngo also looked lively in the final third throughout.
The only goal of the game, however, arrived in the 35th minute when Liam Murray found the bottom corner after Liam Coyne had done superbly well to deny Tyler Garner and Callum O’Connell in quick succession.
The match marked only the third time this season that the free-scoring First Team have drawn a blank in front of goal, with the result leaving them in eighth place, still just four points outside the top four.
PGFC Academy First Team Kine-Up: 50.Liam COYNE (GK), 2.Gert PRINSLOO, 3.Shade STEWART, 4.Judd MACDOUGALL, 5.Julian KELLY (11.Aston MONTGOMERY 72′), 7.Daniel ADESINA (15.Louis SOLLITT 62′), 8.Laat MATHIANG, 9.Royie RAHAMIM, 10.Seb DESPOTOVSKI, 12.Khoa NGO, 20.Giovanni DE ABREU (17.Samuel BARRY 62′)
Substitutes not used: 1.Luca IOVENE (GK), 14.Louis HEWINGS, 16.Manolo VENERACION, 18.Tadawanashe KUZAMBA
The Under-18s. meanwhile, continued their imperious run of form by chalking up their 16th win of the season.
Santiago Flores (2) and Max Argent supplied the goals as the youngsters eased home 3-1 to cement top spot in their division.
The Under-20s saw their game postponed due to the flurry of First Team call-ups, but all three teams will return to action next Saturday (22nd July) when Stirling Macedonia will provide the opposition at Lark Hill.
The Under-18s kick-off is at 11am, followed by the Under-20s at 1pm and the First Team at 3pm.
#ONEGlory
