REDS YOUTH FALL TO LATE GLORY GOAL
By Dom Rinaldo

Adelaide United Youth has again been stung by a late goal at home as Perth Glory Youth walked away with all three points courtesy of an injury time winner in a 1-0 result at Hindmarsh Stadium in Round 25 of the National Youth League.

Perth substitute Anthony Skorich struck in the 91st minute to sink United spirits, after the game appeared destined to finish all square. The story has become an all too familiar one for the young Reds this season, who time and again have conceded goals in the dying stages at home.

In a tense, physical encounter befitting of the two teams’ current standings in the top four on the table, the Reds had their chances, particularly in the first half, but were unable to find the back of the net.

While the result sees the Reds miss the chance to leapfrog the Central Coast Mariners into second place on the table, the big story to come out of the match was the broken leg to Reds’ Hyundai A-League listed midfielder Kristian Sarkies, who was stretchered from the field after a tackle from Perth captain Steven Hesketh when the game was barely seven minutes old.

The first half saw the home side create a number of promising opportunities but they would not have any goals to show for their efforts going into the break.

Evan Kostopoulos had the pick of the chances in the opening 45 minutes when he somehow blazed over the bar from less than a metre out as he met Joe Wright’s commanding cross at the far post in the 13th minute.  

Wright then went inches away himself in the 25th minute when he had a one on one with the keeper before United defender Dane Milovanovic watched his 20 metre free kick again go to the wrong side of the post.

The second half saw the Reds forced to weather a Perth Glory storm as the visitors came out of the tunnel with more intent, but led by Milovanovic and keeper Mark Birighitti, they held firm.

Chances were not as forthcoming for United as both defences continued to dominate, but a tiny lapse of concentration in the first minute of injury time would again cost the Reds dearly as Skorich found a small gap in the penalty area and broke the deadlock.

The young Reds must quickly put the disappointment behind them as they prepare to face a tough trip to take on rivals Sydney FC on Saturday.

Match Details
Adelaide United Youth 0
Perth Glory Youth 1 (Skorich 90+1’)
Hindmarsh Stadium
Referee: Stephen Toth

Adelaide United line-up: Mark BIRIGHITTI (gk), Evan KOSTOPOULOS, Dane MILOVANOVIC, Perry MITRIS, Francesco MONTEROSSO, Inseob SHIN (Liam WOODING 57’), Alex SUNASKY (c), Joe WRIGHT, Paul REID (OA), Mark RUDAN (OA) (Michael DOYLE 18’), Kristian SARKIES (OA) (Matthew MULLEN 9’)

Substitutes not used: Nick MUNRO (gk)
Yellow Cards: Kostopoulos 90+5’, Wright 90+5’
Red Cards: Nil

Perth Glory line-up: Ludovic BOI (Anthony SKORICH 61’), Hayden DOYLE, Dean EVANS, Steve HESKETH (c), Sam MITCHINSON (Howard FONDYKE 61’), Alex PEARSON (gk), Ryan PEARSON, Joshua RISDON (Ludovic BOI 90+1’), Glen TRIFIRO, Reece VITTIGLIA (Tommy AMPHLETT 46’), Branko JEIC (OA)

Substitutes not used: Tim DOYLE (gk)
Yellow Cards: Jelic 80’
Red Cards: Nil