A-League/Best League in the World

[SB]

that is amazing! good fun by the sounds of things. is skilled park near you?

Yeah it is but the youth boys play in Southport. Skilled Pk tomorrow though

[Fernandinho]

Good man. Good to see someone in the whole of Australia is still going to A-League games

[SB]

Good man. Good to see someone in the whole of Australia is still going to A-League games

Don't forget the Youth games too

[SB]

NYL: United sink Glory in ten-goal thriller
Sunday, 2 January 2011

National Youth League Week 15

At Owen Park, Gold Coast

GOLD COAST UNITED YOUTH 6 (Halloran 41’/66’/68’, Russell 62’, Lustica [pen] 81’, Harold [pen] 84’)
PERTH GLORY YOUTH 4 (Jelic 24’/32’/50’, Taggart 37’)
HT: 1-3
Referee: Matthew Skinner

GOLD Coast United Youth staged a remarkable comeback to register a breathtaking 6-4 win over Perth Glory Youth in sultry conditions at Owen Park.

In one of the games of the season, United’s youngsters showed character and belief beyond their years to fight their way back into a contest that looked all over when Perth’s Branko Jelic made it 4-1 to the visitors in the 50th minute.

But a Bobby Russell goal, followed by Ben Halloran’s second and third of the game, levelled the scores before two late penalties secured a deserved win for Mike Mulvey’s men and moved them six points clear at the top of the National Youth League table.

Sydney FC Youth’s surprising 2-1 win over the AIS on New Year’s Day opened the door for United to stretch their lead at the top and Mike Mulvey’s men duly obliged with another convincing display in a truly amazing game of football.

Both sides started the match full of energy despite the hot conditions and United fashioned four attempts on goal inside the opening 15 minutes. Gold Coast continued to heap pressure on the visitors with Golgol Mebrahtu looking particularly lively up front and Daniel Bragg composed and tidy in midfield. Ben Halloran was another who posed a constant for United and his surging run through the Perth defence almost paid dividends midway through the first half.

Despite their dominance Gold Coast were dealt a blow in the 24th minute when against the run of play Perth hit the front. Branko Jelic sneaked in behind the United defence and when the ball came in the striker made no mistake with an assured finish.

Eight minutes later Gold Coast were rocked further when Jelic doubled his tally thanks to some sloppy defending by the home side. A seemingly harmless low corner somehow made its way through a sea of legs in the United penalty area and in the scramble that followed Jelic managed the vital touch to make it 2-0.

It went from bad to worse for the home side eight minutes before half-time when Glory fired home their third. A well-constructed breakaway put Adam Taggart in the clear and at pace the youngster took a touch before drilling a fine shot past Tim Anderson.

Gold Coast deserved a little luck for their efforts and on 41 minutes they got it. Ben Halloran’s persistence paid off when an attempted clearance cannoned off the Gold Coast forward and past Perth ‘keeper Francis Soale to reduce the deficit.

On the stroke of half-time Zac Anderson had a header cleared off the line and immediately after the restart Halloran thumped a firm drive straight at Soale as Gold Coast renewed their attacking intent. But just as they did in the first period, Perth struck just as Gold Coast began to gather momentum. Jelic again did the damage, completing his hat-trick after latching on to a pass from midfield and striking past a hesitant Tim Anderson from just inside the box.

Halloran and Mebrahtu both had half chances as Gold Coast showed admirable character and tried to force a way back into the match. Just past the hour, energetic substitute Bobby Russell provided the lifeline with blistering run down the right hand side, gliding past two Perth defenders. Despite the narrow angle, Russell crashed his shot into the net and suddenly United’s belief was back.

An amazing period followed as Gold Coast levelled the match after two more fine goals from Halloran. First, a measured finish from inside the box to make it 4-3, then just two minutes later he unleashed an unstoppable 20-metre drive to square up the enthralling contest and register his first treble of the season.

But Gold Coast were far from finished and went on to claim all the points with two late penalties, both won by livewire striker Chris Harold. Skipper Steven Lustica converted the first spot-kick to make it 5-4, then Harold himself did the honours in the 84th minute, crashing his penalty high into the net to conclude an astonishing game.

[Fernandinho]

Sydney won tonight! That new Finnish guy came on, looks ****ing funny when he runs lol!

[SB]

Sydney won tonight! That new Finnish guy came on, looks ****ing funny when he runs lol!

That's a good 2-1 win away from home mate

We played out a bore draw 0-0. We miss Jason Culina so badly.

[Fernandinho]

Oh yeah, forgot that players aren't around for Asian cup. BTW, Tommy Oar got a late call up after an injury to Garcia from Hull I hope he gets a few opportunities, I really want to see him make it big time!

[SB]

Perth did well to get a 1-1 draw in Bne last night.

The big match is on tonight. Sydney vs GCUnited

I think we'll be lucky to get a draw without Jason

[Fernandinho]

Yeah, I am thinking of going to this actually...

[SB]

Yeah, I am thinking of going to this actually...

Good to see mate. Watch Adama Traore for us. He's gold IMO

[Fernandinho]

Quality stuff from pretratos (spelling) for that goal, I didn't realise he was only 18, he keeps the ball very well to. this is the first time in ages I have watched Sydney and not been totally bored.

[SB]

We're down to 10 men away from home yet again.

Dumb dumb dumb Fitzsimons

[Fernandinho]

I fell asleep just after half time. Woke up in time for the second goal. The post goal celebration was really worrying. For a second I was thinking that it was really bad... I will be glad to not have to watch that again!

[SB]

I fell asleep just after half time. Woke up in time for the second goal. The post goal celebration was really worrying. For a second I was thinking that it was really bad... I will be glad to not have to watch that again!

I turned the computer off instantly. Couldn't watch any more of it.

On a positive note though, I heard that Shane Smeltz is back in town and talking to Mr Palmer about resigning for us. He's been given the all clear to terminate his Turkish contract and return home. We so need a striker ATM.

[Fernandinho]

Yeah I was hearing that too. Im suprised he wants to leave already!