Three A-League youth sides were in action this weekend with the South Australia, Queensland and Western Australian NPL competitions still ongoing despite Victoria and NSW NPL seasons being cancelled.
How did these sides perform over the weekend? Find out below!
Adelaide United
NPL affiliate: Adelaide United (NPL South Australia)
Position: 9th
This weekend: Adelaide United V Cumberland United, Saturday September 18 7:30pm, A.A Bailey Reserve
In their final game of the season, Adelaide United were unable to end their season on a high going down heavily to Cumberland United 4-0.
Having been in finals contention midway through the season, the Reds would have a terrible run home, winning just one of its final 10 regular season fixtures.
Cumberland’s forward Thomas Briscoe was the star of the show, scoring four goals to finish the season as his club’s highest goal scorer in addition to being the South Australian NPL fourth highest scorer in 2021.
Briscoe opened the scoring by converting from the penalty spot in the 34th minute, he’d then score two minutes later to double Cumberland’s advantage before completing the hat-trick during injury time to put his side three goals ahead at halftime.
Adelaide would do its best to stop the bleeding in the second half, but would finally concede a fourth goal in the 90th minute when Briscoe again found the net for his fourth goal.
Brisbane Roar
NPL affiliate: Brisbane Roar (NPL Queensland)
Position: 2nd
This weekend: Brisbane Roar v Moreton Bay United, Sunday September 19 6:00pm, Wolter Park
Brisbane Roar would continue its winning ways in round 25, a 4-2 victory over Moreton Bay United making it four wins in a row, with the side unbeaten in its past five matches.
There’d be little time wasted for the deadlock to be broken, and it was United who took a surprise lead inside the opening five minutes of the game.
United’s number 10 Linden Farr scoring his fifth goal of the season to put his side a goal ahead.
In his fourth appearances for the Roar, midfielder Harry Talbot would equalise in the 18th with his first goal of the season.
With the sides level 1-1 at halftime, the Roar would go ahead in the 59th, with the captain Louis Zabala stepping up with the go-ahead goal to reverse the deficit.
The scores would then be tied up again six minutes later, United striker Zachary Kierpal netting his 14th goal of the season.
The Roar would then run away with the game late, scoring two goals inside the last six minutes of regular time.
Luke Broderick would be a spark off the bench, with the substitute coming on in the 76th minute before scoring eight minutes later.
Roar midfielder Keegan Jelacic would then seal the game for the Roar after scoring in the 87th minute with his side running out two goal victors.
Perth Glory
NPL affiliate: Perth Glory (NPL Western Australia)
Position: 4th
This weekend: Perth Glory v Floreat Athena FC, September 14 7:00pm, E&D Litis Stadium
Perth Glory’s season would come to an end during the week, bowing out after losing its semi final clash to Floreat Athena 2-1.
The Glory would get off to an unideal start with defender Aidan Coyne scoring an own goal in the 13th to gift Floreat Athena a one goal lead.
Robert Harding would then double Floreat Athena’s lead in the 39th minute to put his side two goals ahead at halftime.
The Glory would peg a goal late in the game, Chris Donnell scoring just his second goal of the season in 84th minute.
The Glory would be unable to find a second goal and send the game into extra time, eventually going down 2-1.
