Perth, coming off a 5-0 win over Melbourne Victory, were impressive but the young Reds showed plenty of spirit for their first game of the season.

Captain Matt Mullen scored the Reds Youth's first goal of the season courtesy of a penalty, but a goal in each half from Perth's Cameron Edwards ensured the Western Australians took all three points.

Edwards opened the scoring in the 12th minute, before United was awarded a penalty in the 39th minute when Kym Harris was felled illegally in the area.

Mullen converted the spot kick to draw the Reds level, but in the 67th minute Edwards bobbed up again to put the visitors back in front, as he headed the ball home after being left unmarked at the back post.

Chasing an equaliser, the young Reds showed character that coach Joe Mullen would have been delighted to see, as they forced Perth's defence into a number of worrying moments, but they could not capitalise as the Glory held on for the win.

"The first half we were rusty but in the second half I thought that we really knuckled down, had a really decent go and we created quite a few chances, there was some positive stuff in that second half in particular," Mullen said.

"You could tell that boys haven't played together and that it's going to take a little while, but hats off to them, they had a fair decent dip in that second half."

"I think there are certainly more positives than there are negatives. Now we've got to get back on the training track again this week, and I look forward to working with them again, and going into the next game with a little bit more confidence and time to gel."

Match Details
Adelaide United Youth 1 (Mullen 40' pen)
Perth Glory Youth 2 (Edwards 12', 67')
Referee: Regis Queffelec

@ Hindmarsh Stadium

Adelaide United line-up: Joe COSTA, Jackson GROVES (Alan WELSH 62'), Kym HARRIS, Evan KOSTOPOULOS (Liam WOODING 60'), Perry MITRIS, Francesco MONTEROSSO, Matthew MULLEN (c), Nick MUNRO (gk), Mitch NICHOLSON, Brett RAYNER (Jordon ELSEY 46'), Daniel SCORDO

Substitutes not used: Luke OSTBYE (gk)
Yellow Cards: Nil

Red Cards: Nil

Perth Glory line-up: Tommy AMPHLETT (OA) (Sahr MUSA 44'), Tim DOYLE, Cameron EDWARDS, Dean EVANS (c), Howard FONDYKE, Brent GRIFFITHS, Andrija JUKIC (OA), Sam MITCHINSON (Stephen WALMSLEY 61'), Sebit OYET (Billy QUINNCROFT 61'), Ryan PEARSON, Josh RISDON

Substitutes not used: John SOLARI (gk)

Yellow Cards: Edwards 47'

Red Cards: Nil