Perth Glory has defeated Sydney FC 1-0 thanks to a first half goal to Brent Griffiths in their National Youth League clash at Seymour Shaw Park on Sunday.
In a game moved due to heavy rain from the original venue Parramatta stadium, both sides put on a full-blooded performance creating numerous opportunities at both ends.
Sydney keeper Nenad Vekic was outstanding making numerous classy saves but it was Griffiths’ opportunistic strike that was the difference five minutes before the break.
It was a high-tempo start to the game with Glory creating a chance inside the first 60 seconds. Anthony Skorich and Glen Trifiro also carved out half-chances for the visitors as Glory looked to stamp their authority.
Sydney’s Iain Ramsay had the best chance of the opening skirmishes after a defensive error gifted him the ball on the edge of the box but the skilful striker’s shot wide of Tim Doyle’s post.
Tim McGowan’s long range strike on 17 minutes had the crowd on its feet but the Glory keeper was up to the task as both sides pressed.
Trifiro’s long-range bomb tested Vekic in the Sydney goal and Sky Blues forward Justin Hayward’s header went agonisingly close as the chances flowed at both ends.
But the deadlock was broken on 40 minutes by Griffiths, who expertly poked home the opener after Sydney was punished for failing to deal with a set-piece.
However, it should have been 1-1 a minute after the restart. After breaking free, Joel Chianese was unable to keep his powerful shot down from the edge of the penalty area.
Chances continued to be created with Ramsay’s pin-point cross onto the head of Hayward resulting in a heavy collision with keeper Doyle. Minutes later, the Glory gloveman was replaced by Francis Soale – one of four substitutes made on the hour mark by Glory coach Gareth Naven.
Chianese then turned provider for Dimitrios Petratos but the young Sydney forward miscued his effort with just the keeper to beat.
Second half Sydney substitute Hussein Akil was asking plenty of questions down the right side of attack as the home side continued to push for an equaliser.
But they were dealt a huge blow came when defender Anthony Golec’s second yellow for a trip on David Price had the home side down to 10 men with 15 minutes to go.
Four brilliant stops from Vekic kept Sydney in the game late on as Glory looked to exploit the one-man advantage but despite numerous chances could not add to their lead.
Sydney FC 0
Perth Glory 1 (Griffiths 40)
@ Seymour Shaw Park
