Perth Glory has risen to second rung on the Youth League ladder with a 1-0 away win over Gold Coast United on Saturday.
The victory is Glory-s fifth on the trot and represents revenge for the 4-0 mauling it received on the Gold Coast in Round 5.
Conversely, the once streaking United now has just one win from its last five starts and sits precariously in fourth position.
The clash of third versus fourth promised to be a high-quality affair, but proved to be more of a scrappy scrimmage on dull day for the purists.
Perth-s first goal came from a dead ball taken by Samuel Mitchinson from five metres beyond the left corner of the penalty area. Mitchinson sailed the ball into the box where a waiting Steven Hesketh struck on the volley, hitting the crossbar and bouncing of United keeper Jerrad Tyson-s back and into the net.
The officials awarded an own goal, but Hesketh – the Glory captain – was worthy of credit.
United started to play some better football in the second half and looked to be forging back into the match, but its task was made more difficult when reduced ten men.
Richard Greer was given his marching orders just on an hour into the game, when he received a second yellow card for backchat after earlier being penalised for an illegal tackle.
Peth pressed hard to double its advantage with Cameron Edwards and Ludovic Boi menacing up-front. Only a string of desperate saves from Tyson and staunch defence in the middle from Zachery Anderson could deny the visitors.
Gold Coast was off the pace from the opening whistle, failing to make any inroads into the Perth end apart from a handful of scything runs from Chris Harold. The classy striker was running into holes and attempting to put teammates into holes, but they consistently seemed to be one step behind Harold.
The pressure of the Perth defence across the park allowed United-s craftsmen no time to work with the ball forcing them into a scrappy mistake riddled first-half.
Perth created plenty of opportunities early, but failed to capitalise on excellent lead-up play. Tommy Amphlett created a one-on-one for Edwards who could only sky the ball over the bar, and the two then reversed roles but again showcased poor finishing touch.
Golgol Mebrahtu created one good chance with a cross for his streaking teammates, but Harold arrived just a fraction too late to level the scores.
Perth piled on the pressure as the match drew to a close with Tyson in the thick of the action, and United had a desperate last effort but couldn-t draw level.
Gold Coast United 0
Perth Glory 1 (Tyson [og] 26,
@ Jackman Oval, Southport. 19/12/09
