Perth Glory have made it two wins from two starts in the National Youth League by downing Adelaide United 2-1 at Hindmarsh Stadium.
Perth Glory have made it two wins from two starts in the National Youth League by downing Adelaide United 2-1 at Hindmarsh Stadium.
A double from Cameron Edwards either side of half-time was enough for Glory to claim their second away win of the season.
Fabian Barbiero was expected to have his first hitout for the season in an attempt to clock up valuable game time before returning to action with United, but missed the Baby Reds match through illness.
Last season’s NYL golden boot winner Francesco Monterosso had a good chance to open the scoring inside the opening 10 minutes when he burst through the Glory penalty area but had his shot from nine metres saved by Tim Doyle.
In the 12th minute, Edwards capped off a slick Perth move with a sweet finish from the edge of the area to give the visitors the lead.
Edwards collected the ball and swivelled before firing into the bottom corner past the outstretched arm of Baby Reds shot stopper Nicholas Munro.
Glory continued to threaten and took control of the match after going ahead while Adelaide defended under pressure.
Perth found plenty of joy going forward down the left as the Baby Reds struggled to maintain Ryan Pearson and Sebit Oyet early in the first half.
Just after the half hour, United fought their way back into the match and grew in confidence after a couple of chances.
Kym Harris blasted over the bar from close range before Evan Kostopoulos and Joe Costa also squandered guilt edged chances.
A minute later Harris was bundled over in the box and was awarded a penalty. Reds captain Matthew Mullen coolly dispatched the shot kick and United were level five minutes before the break.
Monterosso and Harris should have put United in front midway through the second half after a quick Reds counter but the strikers weren’t able to apply the finishing touches.
Substitute Sahr Musa stamped his authority on the match for Perth and caused the Reds plenty of problems down Glory’s right side.
The speedster then set up Edwards for his second goal in the 67th minute with an inch perfect cross.
The striker was unmarked at the back post and nodded home to put Perth back in front.
