Two second-half red cards cost the PGFC Academy First Team dear on Saturday as Western Knights took full advantage of their numerical advantage to run out 5-2 winners at the Sam Kerr Football Centre.
The youngsters had fallen behind midway through the first half when Konstantinos Sparta fired home at the far post, but responded almost immediately as Seb Despotovski found the net after Jaylan Pearman’s initial shot had been parried by Sam Reilly.
Pearman then put Glory ahead with a fine solo effort early in the second half, only for Owen Goodliffe to draw the Knights level from the spot after Daniel Jankuloski had been harshly penalised for a foul in the box.
That equaliser left the game finely poised heading into the final 15 minutes, but another refereeing decision swung the momentum dramatically in the visitors’ favour as Andriano Lebib received a second yellow card, presumably for dissent and was dismissed.
From the resulting free-kick, Jay Sheridan curled a shot into the top corner and things then continued to unravel for Glory in the dying moments.
Shortly after the Knights hit the front, Pearman tangled with Shay Donovan and followed Lebib down the tunnel and Asher Hwight and Alex DaRocha duly found the net in the final two minutes of regulation time to make it 5-2.
There was better news for the Academy Under-18s and Under-20s earlier in the day as both maintained their fine run of form by collecting maximum points.
Goals from TadiswaShaun Mutyavaviri and Tyler Nyabinde eased the 18s to a 2-0 win, while the in-form Louis Sollitt bagged another hat-trick as the 20s secured a 5-1 victory.
All three sides are back at the Sam Kerr Football Centre again next Saturday (8th June), when Perth SC will provide the opposition.
Please note the changed kick-off times:
U18s at 12:30pm, U20s at 2:30pm, First Team at 7:15pm.
Many thanks to all our Members and fans who attended this weekend’s games.
(picture courtesy of Tom McCarthy)
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