Football West News

They gave Bayswater City a scare in round one and got their first point of the season from a goalless draw against Cockburn City last weekend.

Perth Glory’s next mission is to upset table-topping Inglewood United at Ashfield Arena on Saturday in a round three clash.

Free-scoring Inglewood have struck seven in their two matches with Brian Woodall helping himself to three of the goals. Their superior goal difference has given Inglewood the jump on Perth SC and Bayswater, who also have 100 percent records.

Despite conceding four times in their 4-3 defeat to champions Bayswater, Glory’s performances have been encouraging, according to coach John Gibson.

In the loss to Bayswater, two goals Glory conceded were penalties, one was a free-kick and another goal was scored after the goalkeeper had saved Gustavo Giron Marulanda’s initial penalty.

“Decision making in our back third regarding one-v-one defending and defending as a group is something we’re working really hard on,” Gibson said.

“We’ve gained a lot of self-belief through the Night Series and that’s continued in the first two games of the season.”

The QBE Night Series has been particularly fruitful for Glory, who competed in the pre-season competition for the first time.

And a 5-2 win over Inglewood in their final fixture bodes well for the young Glory side.

“We had a good contest with them in the Night Series but we don’t pay too much attention to that,” Gibson said. “They are a strong side with good depth and a lot of experience, so it will be an exciting challenge for us and we’re looking forward to it.”

Inglewood are a vastly different proposition to last season with new coach Taki Nicolaidis having been involved in the signing of several new players including Adam Tong, Mark Pritchard, Ashley Rosindale and David Cyrus.

They kicked off their season with a 3-0 win over Floreat Athena and then despatched Balcatta 4-2 last weekend.

“We understand what they will try to do and we’ll work hard on defending from the front,” Gibson said.

Stirling Lions will host the first Dylan Tombides tribute match of the season when they take on Perth SC at Macedonia Park.

Stirling will collect donations in aid of the DT38 Foundation, which was set up to raise awareness of testicular cancer in memory of Tombides, a promising Australian youth international who died at just 20 in 2014.

PS4 NPLWA ROUND 3 FIXTURES
Saturday, April 2
Armadale v Floreat Athena (Alfred Skeet Reserve, 3pm)
Perth Glory v Inglewood United (Ashfield Arena, 3pm)
Cockburn City v Bayswater City (Dalmatinac Park, 3pm)
ECU Joondalup v Subiaco (ECU Stadium, 3pm)
Stirling Lions v Perth SC (Macedonia Park, 3pm)
Sorrento v Balcatta (Percy Doyle Reserve, 3pm)