Perth Glory continue their PS4 National Premier League WA campaign on Saturday, when they make the trip to Grindleford Reserve to take on Balcatta.
They will be looking to bounce back from their loss at Joondalup United last week, a game they took the lead early, but couldn’t hold on, eventually going down 4-1.
It’s been a fantastic 2017 for young defender Walter Scott, who has forced his way into the NPL first team and also been in camp with the Young Socceroos.
He said the camp in February was an eye opener, but he enjoyed it. “The Young Socceroos camp was brilliant, and I was very pleased with my personal performance,” he explained.
“Training and playing with great players and being coached by Ufuk Talay and Josep Gombau was very valuable to me in my development.”
Scott said last week’s result was disappointing, but he said they had their chances and they need to learn to take them. “It was a great start on the weekend for us, and we had lots of free-flowing, creative attacking play and dominated,” he said.
“So we were really disappointed to not get a positive result, as we did dominate the game for large parts, hitting the crossbar four times, but little details and our own mistakes, let us down.”
The defender is part of a young side, who have matched it with all sides, but Scott said they want more, and he hopes to get back in the winners’ circle at Balcatta.
“Gibbo has ensured our preparation for the game against Balcatta has been excellent, and we go into the game this weekend, as we do every weekend focussing solely on us and our own performance,” he said.
“We will be aiming to gain three points in what is an important fixture in relation to the table, and the team is looking to rebound and rectify last weekend’s performance, and the feeling around the squad remains optimistic and confident.
“Yes we a very young side this season, but we do not use that factor as an excuse. As we strive every game to not just be competitive but gain positive results.
“As young players, we have learned copious amounts of information from every game and we will continue to do so for the rest of the season.”
Glory Coach John Gibson said the loss at Joondalup was another huge learning curve for the young group. “We made an excellent start and dictated the play, but we gave away three sloppy goals in an eleven-minute spell just before half time and it hurt us,” he explained.
“The group know that they need to be better, but their second half was an improvement, we hit the woodwork a few times, and if they were a few inches either side, the result could have been different, but we move on to the next challenge, and we’re all relishing it.”
The last time the Glory headed to Grindleford Reserve a double from former Glory midfielder Kosta Petratos gave the youngster a 2-0 win, and Gibson said they are looking for a repeat on Saturday. “It’s another great opportunity for the player group, they continue to work extremely hard and are determined to get a positive result on Saturday,” he said.
“We’ve said all season, our performances on the pitch haven’t been rewarded on the scoreboard, but we are confident we can turn that around and set up a good run for the second half of the season.
“The young group are fantastic to work with, they are determined bunch, and nothing phases them, they have had to learn to play senior football quickly, but their determination and enthusiasm has been first class, and we’re looking forward to the challenge ahead against Salv Todaro’s side, it’s about details and process.”
Match Details:
PS4 National Premier League WA – Week 17
Saturday, June 15, 2017
Balcatta v Perth Glory
Grindleford Reserve,
Grindleford Drive, Balcatta
Under 18’s – 11am, 20’s – 1pm, First Team – 3pm
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