News

National Youth League Round 16

At Southport Tigers, Gold Coast

GOLD COAST UNITED YOUTH 0
PERTH GLORY YOUTH 1 (Tyson [og] 26’)
HT: 0-1
Referee: Matthew Gillett

A FORTUITOUS 26th minute goal that went in off the back of Gold Coast United Youth ‘keeper, Jerrad Tyson, was enough to secure all three points for a determined Perth Glory Youth side at Southport Tigers.

It was a deserved win for the Glory youngsters who controlled much of the contest, with Gold Coast Youth looking out of sorts in the opening exchanges.

Gold Coast’s cause wasn’t helped when they lost reliable central defender Ben Wearing with an ankle injury in the 19th minute, Neko Vujevich coming on in his place.

Perth were staring to ask all the questions and it was no surprise when they took the lead after a lively start to the match.

Sam Mitchinson’s free-kick found Glory skipper Steven Hesketh unmarked in the United six-yard box and although Hesketh’s first time volley thundered against the crossbar, the ball rebounded into the back of United ‘keeper Jerrad Tyson and nestled in the back of the net.

Chris Harold was a willing runner up front for Gold Coast, but Mike Mulvey’s side struggled to make an impact for the remainder of the half, failing to test Aleks Vrteski in the Perth goal.

Mulvey shuffled his line-up at the break, bringing on Richard Greer in midfield and switching Mitch Bevan to left full-back in an effort to control more possession of the ball.

United looked more threatening and almost levelled when Golgol Mebrahtu’s firm centre flew across the face of goal, just eluding the onrushing Chris Harold.

But the home side’s task was made more difficult just 13 minutes into the second half when they were reduced to ten men following the dismissal of substitute Richard Greer.

Greer, who was booked for a foul within seconds of coming on, was given his marching orders by referee Matthew Gillett for kicking the ball away as Glory looked to take a quick free-kick.

Perth poured forward looking to press home their advantage, forcing Jerrad Tyson into a sting of saves that kept the game alive for United. Tyson’s most notable shut-out came from Ludovic Boi’s stinging drive, the Gold Coast custodian showing a strong hand to deflect the ball onto the woodwork and deny the lively Glory midfielder.

Gold Coast huffed and puffed in to try and get back into the match, but it was Perth who escaped with the points after an impressive attacking second half performance.

Gold Coast United Youth:
1.Jerrad TYSON [gk], 5.Ben WEARING (4.Neko VUJEVICH 19’) , 6.Mitchell BEVAN, 7.Zac ANDERSON, 8.Steven LUSTICA (c), 9.Chris HAROLD, 10.Koh SATAKE (13.Callum HARE 62’), 11.Ben HALLORAN, 12.Golgol MEBRAHTU, 14.Joshua BRILLANTE, 15.Corey BROWN (2.Richard GREER 46’).
Unused subs: 20.Scott HIGGINS [gk].
Yellow cards: Vujevich 23’, Greer 46’.
Red cards: Greer 58’.

Perth Glory Youth:
40.Aleks VRTESKI [gk], 2.Ryan PEARSON, 3.Steve HESKETH, 4.Sam MITCHINSON, 6.Dean EVANS, 7.Cameron EDWARDS, 8.James DOWNEY, 10.Andrija JUKIC (13.Adam TAGGART 60’), 11.Ludovic BOI, 14.Glen TRIFIRO (5.Joshua RISDON 52’), 16.Tommy AMPHLETT (12.Reece VITTIGLIA 26’).
Unused subs: 1.Alex PEARSON [gk] .
Yellow cards: None.
Red cards: None.