Perth Glory’s realistic National Youth League title hopes came to an end with a 4-2 loss to Brisbane Roar on Sunday which all but assured Central Coast would finish on top.
Perth Glory’s realistic National Youth League title hopes came to an end with a 4-2 loss to Brisbane Roar on Sunday which all but assured Central Coast would finish on top.
Substitute Matthew Thurtell scored two second half goals to wrap up the win after James Donachie’s strike had earlier cancelled out a Tommy Amphlett effort that had given Perth the lead at 6PR Stadium.
George Lambadaridis also scored for the Roar late in the game before Perth striker Ndumba Makeche netted an 88th minute consolation goal.
The result means the Mariners are three points clear at the top of the table and they can only let the title slip if they lose in the final round and the Glory win while also completing a massive goal difference turnaround of 19.
Brisbane’s ninth win of the season also means they could finish as high as second if Perth fail to beat Melbourne Victory next Sunday.
In a further blow to the Glory, first-team defender Josh Mitchell – on the comeback trail from a lingering knee problem – had to be substituted after 55 minutes with an apparent injury.
But fellow senior-team defender Scott Neville made it through the opening half unscathed in his first appearance on the comeback from a long-term knee injury, showing no signs of the ailment which had kept him out since November.
Brisbane started strongly but a poor turnover nearly gifted the hosts the lead after 35 minutes, only for Riley Woodcock to have his effort cleared off the line in the best chance of a free-flowing first half.
After wasting too strong chances early in the second period, there was no denying the hosts in the 50th minute when a quick counter-attack was capped by a sublime Amphlett finish.
But the visitors hit back just three minutes later when Donachie drifted free from a corner and scored with the header.
The Roar were then rewarded for their ascendancy throughout the second half and were rewarded when a lovely passing move set up substitute Thurtell for an easy tap-in, while the attacker’s second strike five minutes later was an impressive individual effort.
Lambadaridis was allowed an unmarked run from a corner to score Brisbane’s fourth while Makeche’s goal was too little too late for Perth.
Perth Glory Youth 2 (Amphlett ’50, Makeche ’88)
Brisbane Roar Youth 4 (Donachie ’53, Thurtell ’73, ’78, Lambadaridis ’85)
at 6PR Stadium, Perth
