Draw for second placed Perth
Report by Daryn McCleave
Perth were thwarted in their last attempt to snatch away the NPL WA Premiers plate from season long leaders Bayswater City by drawing 1-1 with a resolute Cockburn City side at Dalmatinac Park on Saturday.
With the Cockerels leading for most of the game through Matt Barlow’s 28th minute strike, the Azzurri were becoming increasingly desperate as news filtered through from Percy Doyle Reserve that Bayswater were trailing to Sorrento.
Pictured: Cockburn's Paul Natale. Photo: Football West
The visitors bombarded the home penalty box and got their reward on 84 minutes when Ash Rosindale was on hand from close-range to level the scores.
But Bayswater too found the elusive equalizer they needed to retain top spot and their second piece of silverware for 2014, leaving Perth wondering what might have been, but also taking some satisfaction on a big improvement from 2013.
Perth assistant coach Ante Kovacevic knew his side became frantic in an attempt to take the lead.
“We got desperate in the last half hour chasing the game and it just wasn’t enough time to ultimately get five goals to win by the four (needed) if the other game finished in a draw,” he said.
“We emphasized how important it was to take our chances, Cockburn are a decent outfit and it was always going to be tough.
“First half we lacked a bit of intensity and quality in the final third which is where you score the goals.”
Looking back on the season, Kovacevic was disappointed with the administration error that cost Perth a point in a 3-3 draw with Inglewood, and a slow start to the campaign that went some way to leaving them trying to catch up.
“Bayswater and other clubs can also look back at games where they lost but to claw our way back to within two points after our start to the season is a pretty decent achievement,” Kovacevic said.
“But the way we see it, to become the WA champions we have to win the Grand Final in three weeks time and that’s our aim now.”
Perth did not start the game looking like a side in contention for the top spot. Cockburn showed some scintillating form in the last ten games to flirt with a top four finish and appeared confident as they deservedly went ahead following a good attacking move.
Jesse Fuller worked his way into space on the left, delivered a deep cross that Devon Gibson nodded back across goal for Matt Barlow to calmly side-foot home, leaving the visitors stunned.
The game ebbed and flowed and both keepers had to be alert, but as Perth realised top spot was a realistic possibility, they pushed hard and were rewarded from a free-kick which, not unlike City’s goal, was nodded back into the danger zone where Rosindale was on hand to set up a grandstand finish.
But Cockburn’s defence, superbly marshalled by retiring captain Paul Natale stood firm to hold on to the point that they richly deserved, to end their season with just one defeat in their last eight games.
Cockerels coach Marc Anthony was happy to finish with a point after the pressure Perth piled on towards the end, and was in upbeat mood as thoughts immediately turned to next season.
“This is just the start for me here, it’s a good club, good people and we’ve got a fantastic bunch of players here. We won six, drew one, lost one of the last eight – that’s top-four form and certainly something to build on,” he said.
Speaking about his skipper Paul Natale, Anthony heaped praise on the retiring centre-back who departs to take up a teaching position after over a decade at Dalmatinac Park.
“He’s been a fantastic professional, leading by example, a top top lad. We’re delighted to give him a great send off,” Anthony said.
Natale naturally spoke very highly of the club he holds very dear to his heart, praising Cockburn club President Heidi Lazzaro for looking after him despite several opportunities to leave for other clubs.
“I’ve had a great time here, played with some great players. I care about the club, it’s close to home and it’s just been such a pleasure to play here. I’m very happy,” Natale said.
Cockburn City 1 (Barlow 28’)
Perth SC 1 (Rosindale 84’)
Saturday 23 August, 2014
Dalmatinac Park
Referee: A. Fielding
Crowd: 300 approx
Cockburn City: 23. GK Dejan ALEKSIC, 5. Alan CARROLL, (Eamon McNELIS 62’), 17. Paul NATALE (19. Kim MENGBONG 90+3), 7. Jesse FULLER, 14. Conor KAVANAGH, 10. Matt BARLOW, 13. Blake ADAMS, 8. David ARRAYA, 11. Devon GIBSON, 16. Julien TELES, (6. Shazalee RAMLEE 71’) 12. Feisal ZAW
Substitutes not used: 1. Struen HERD, 6. Monty GRIGO
Yellow cards: Carroll 58’
Perth S.C: 1. Francis SOALE, 2. Josh WILKINS, 6. Clarke KELTIE, 13. Alex CASTIELLO (9. Friday ZICO 76’), 12. Tim ROBERTSON (4. Craig SIMPSON 46’), 20. James MAROCCHI, 19. Andreas THEODOSIADES, 14. Mark PRITCHARD, 15. Mark DONINGER (22. Harley ORR 68’), 8. Aden DA LUZ, 10. Ashley ROSINDALE
Substitutes not used: 24. Alex DUNN, 17. Matt MILENKOVIC
Yellow cards: Orr 82’
Comments
Comment Guidelines: The SportsTG Network is made up of players, families and passionate sports followers like you who have a strong opinion about sport. That's great - we want you to have your say and share your thoughts with the world. However, we have a few rules that you must follow to keep it fun for all. Please don't be rude, abusive, swear or vilify others. Apart from some pretty serious sport sanctions, we also can ban you and report you if things get out of hand. So play fair and have fun, and thanks for your contribution.