Report by Peter Simcox

Perth SC won at home for the first time this season with a 2-1 success against undermanned Cockburn City at Dorrien Gardens yesterday.

The result allowed Perth to close the gap on National Premier Leagues WA leaders Bayswater City, who were beaten for the first time in 11 outings when they lost 1-0 to Sorrento.

Ashley Rosindale gave Perth the lead early in the second half only for Julian Teles to level moments later. The winner come from defender Josh Wilkins just after the hour, although Cockburn could have snatched a draw had Teles made the most of his opportunity from the penalty spot.

Pictured: Perth defender Adrian Madaschi tackles Cockburn's Liam Murray. Photo: Peter Simcox.

Perth coach Taki Nicolaidis was happy with the win.

“It was disappointing to concede a goal just after we had taken the lead,” Nicolaidis said. “I know it was a deflection but we should have cleared it early. But credit to the lads, they showed great character to hit back and it’s nice to win our first home game this season.”

Skipper Clark Keltie was an influential figure in the Perth midfield and was delighted with the way his side bounced back after conceding the equaliser.

“We knew Cockburn would make it difficult for us, and they did,” Keltie said. “We’ve tinkered with the formation over recent weeks but it seemed to click well today and although in the end we had a bit of luck with the penalty miss, it’s nice to get a win and keep in touch with Bayswater.”

The home side were on top early, and Cockburn keeper Dejan Aleksic was in the action after only five minutes. Aden Da Luz cut in from the left past Devon Gibson, before unleashing a low shot which was saved by Aleksic, who then immediately denied Rosindale.

Cockburn, who were looking for their first win in three games, went close on the quarter hour. Eamon McNelis’ perfectly weighted through-ball sent Feisal Zaw racing clear but his low shot was well saved by Alex Dunn.

On 20 minutes Wilkins’ long-range shot stung the hand of Aleksic before David Araya sent Liam Murray in on goal but again Dunn was alert to save.

The best chance of the half came five minutes before the break. Mark Pritchard found space down the left and his cross was met by Rosindale but his header was superbly saved by Aleksic at full stretch.    

Perth made a great start to the second half and they were ahead seven minutes in. Pritchard’s corner from the right was flicked on by Keltie at the front post, and in the ensuing goal mouth scrabble Rosindale poked the ball just over the line.

Cockburn felt the ball had not crossed the line, but assistant Josh Nixon was perfectly placed to give the goal.   

The lead lasted only two minutes. A long ball from Alan Carroll sent Teles in on goal and his shot deflected off the last ditch tackle from Adrian Madaschi, which saw the ball loop over Dunn and into the net.

The home side were back in front on 62 minutes. A corner from the left by Da Luz was headed powerfully goalwards by Madaschi, only to be cleared off the line, before Wilkins fired home from 6m.

Perth should have made it 3-1 on 70 minute when Keltie’s through-ball found Da Luz, who dragged his shot wide.

Murray and Teles were a real handful for the home side’s backline and on 87 minutes Cockburn had the opportunity to level when they won a penalty.

Great work on the left by substitute Papar Kaptar ended with a ball into the feet of Murray in the penalty area, who turned past Alex Castiello and fell under his tackle, referee Trent Fleskens pointing to the spot. Teles took responsibility for the spot kick but blazed way over the bar.

Cockburn, who are down to the bare bones in their squad, pushed late in the game but they could not find the equaliser.

The win consolidates Perth in second place and moves them to within seven points of the leaders. Cockburn remain in sixth spot.

Perth SC 2 (Rosindale 52’, Wilkins 62’)
Cockburn City 1(Teles 54’)
Saturday 31st May 2014
Venue: Dorrien Gardens, West Perth
Referee: Trent Fleskens
Assistants: Josh Nixon and Tim Keeble
Attendance: 200 (Approx)

Perth SC: GK Alex DUNN, 2 Josh WILKINS, 3 Luka NJEGICH, 5 Adrian MADASCHI, 6 Clark KELTIE, 8 Aden DA LUZ (20 James MAROCCHI 80’), 9 Friday ZICO (16 Nick AMBROGIO 46’), 10 Ashley ROSINDALE, 13 Alex CASTIELLO, 14 Mark PRITCHARD, 19 Andreas THEODOSIADES (15 Mark DONINGER 76’)
Subs not used: RGK Francis SOALE, 18 Marco SANTALUCIA
Yellow cards: Ambrogio 78’

Cockburn City: GK Dejan ALEKSIC, 2 Alan CARROLL, 4 Euen GRANT (3 Chaz RAMLEE 72’), 7 Ryan HASLETT (6 Papar KAPTAR 65’), 8 David ARAYA (21 Mengbon KIM 76’), 9 Eamon MCNELIS, 11 Devon GIBSON, 12 Feisal ZAW, 16 Julian TELES, 18 Liam MURRAY, 19 Oscar THOMPSON
Subs not used: RGK Struan HERD, 10 Rory MCGRATH,
Yellow cards: Zaw 72’