An opportunistic first-half goal from Andrija Jukic has seen Perth Glory move into top spot on the National Youth League table with a 1-0 win over Central Coast Mariners at Pluim Park on Sunday.
The win was the Glory’s seventh in succession, ending the Mariners’ table-topping reign and four-game winning streak in the process.
The Mariners boasted a strong side for the match in drizzly conditions at Lisarow, with Hyundai A-League defender Chris Doig returning from injury in a side that also featured over-age senior players Adam Kwasnik, Nigel Boogaard and Shane Huke.
While there was an abundance of experience across the park for the home side, the Mariners struggled to finish off the chances that came their way.
“We squandered a lot of opportunities to win that game,” Mariners coach Tony Walmsley said after the match.
“We had plenty of chances but executions in the final third were not good enough. It’s a good opportunity gone.”
The Mariners started well in front of a vocal home crowd but Perth was able to absorb the pressure and make the home side pay.
Jukic pounced on a loose ball on the right edge of the area and took a long-range shot in the 16th minute, which sailed into the top left of the goal, with Central Coast goalkeeper Mathew Ryan powerless to stop it.
The home side almost levelled up minutes later, when Kwasnik pounced on a poor goal kick and drilled it wide of the left post.
Perth could have had its second after 21 minutes with a shot from former Mariner Glen Trifiro bouncing off the crossbar.
Huke stepped up to lead a strong passage of play 27 minutes in, working with Gavin Forbes and Kwasnik but, with a goal beckoning, Huke’s final ball went across the face of goal.
Huke steamed in again six minutes later and struck a strong shot that was well saved by Perth’s Alex Pearson.
The Mariners had another chance in the last minutes of the half after some great lead-up work from Forbes but Kwasnik’s shot was well saved again by Pearson.
The visitors started the second half strongly, with a shot from Trifiro earning the Glory a corner but the home side was quick to respond.
Ryan Pearson backed himself down the Glory’s right to score his side’s second 20 minutes into the second half, and his confidence almost paid off, with a strong strike going to the right of goals.
Perth had another strong chance 15 minutes before full-time, with Adam Taggart getting through for a one-on-one with Ryan who held his ground.
The Mariners threw everything at the visitors in the late stages of the match but the Glory were up to every challenge.
Central Coast Mariners 0
Perth Glory 1 (Jukic 16)
