A late headed goal from Dean Evans has given the Perth Glory a dramatic 3-2 National Youth League victory over Sydney FC at ME Bank Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Veteran striker Eugene Dadi had put the Glory two goals ahead by the half-hour mark but Sydney FC worked its way back into the contest via two goals from Chris Payne either side of the break.
But Evans ensured the hosts claimed the points as he powered home his headed attempt from a Glen Trefiro corner with nine minutes remaining.
Despite the win, the Glory remains in sixth position on the National Youth League table as Sydney just manages to keep third position over Melbourne on the goals scored tally, as both sides have equal points and goal difference.
Having been on the wrong end of a 3-0 thrashing by Melbourne last week, the Glory produced a determined opening to this encounter, although they failed to capitalise on a few openings from the Sydney defence.
Regular senior striker Dadi was guilty of squaring the ball when in a good position to shoot in the 19th minute, but the big Frenchman soon atoned, nodding home from close-range just a minute later after taking a cross from Steven Hesketh on the right.
Sydney’s Iain Ramsey had threatened the Perth goal on a couple of occasions, forcing goalkeeper Alex Pearson to tip over in the 28th minute.
The Glory countered immediately with Joshua Risdon delivering a long ball from the right flank that released Trefiro, who’s cutback from the byline allowed Dadi to slot his second.
Against the run of play, Sydney pulled one back nine minutes later when the impressive Ramsey crossed from the left and allowed Payne to fire home.
Thirty-six-year-old Dadi was replaced at the break and the Glory appeared to lose some if its potency in attack as Sydney looked to equalise. However, a fast Perth break on the hour saw the hosts almost extend the advantage as Mario Marcinko hit the side netting.
The Glory immediately paid for their mistake as Payne levelled the scores, the striker taking advantage of some poor communication in Perth’s defence as he found himself one-on-one with the ‘keeper, flicking the ball over Pearson and walking it into the net.
With 18 minutes remaining Payne had the chance to give Sydney the lead and score his hat-trick when Perth defender Sam Mitchinson failed to clear a long ball forward. Payne raced into goal, but Pearson did brilliantly to narrow the angle, forcing Payne to shoot wildly.
The near miss saw the Glory step up a gear in the final stages, controlling possession through the brilliant skills of Andrija Jukic and Ludovic Boi, and deservedly re-taking the lead when Evans ferociously attacked the ball in the air from a corner, powering it home for the points.
Perth Glory 3 (Dadi 20, 29, Evans 80)
Sydney FC 2 (Payne 38, 64)
