Report by Peter Simcox

Photos: Peter Simcox

Perth SC produced a stunning second half performance to thrash Stirling Lions 5-0 in Sunday’s PS4 National Premier Leagues WA match at Dorrien Gardens.

It was scoreless at the break but second half goals to Aden Da Luz, Clark Keltie, Dean Evans and a Mark Pritchard brace eased the home side home.

Perth coach Taki Nicolaidis said they played well in the first half but were not rewarded on the scoreboard.

“We had 14 chances in the first half but just couldn’t put one away, but credit to Stirling they defended well,” he said.

“To score early in the second half took some weight off our shoulders and we went on with it which was pleasing.”

Perth had a great deal of success down the flanks and Nicolaidis said they have worked hard on that area in recent weeks.

“Both Josh (Wilkins) and Aden (De Luz) were great today, we’ve worked on getting more width and some of the delivery today was first class,” he said.

“We still had to finish them off, and second half we took our chances well and on another day it could have been ten.”

Josh Wilkins, who made a move into midfield this week, was outstanding.

“We had a chat at half time and Taki said the chances would come and to keep composed,” he said.

“We were more clinically in the final third and took our chances well.

“We’re fortunate to have a number of extremely fit players at our club, and I know if I pull the ball back someone will be on the end of them and lucky enough today we made them count.”

It was a special day in local football with both clubs playing for the Dylan Tombides Trophy to honour the young WA player who played junior football with both clubs.

The match also had special significance for Perth midfielder Dean Evans, who is an ambassador for the DT38 foundation, and was playing against his former club for the first time.

He had a perfect opportunity to give the home side the lead after only six minutes, when Pritchard was brought down by Robert Mariano, and referee Adam Fielding pointed to the spot.

Evans slipped as he took the penalty and accidentally hit the ball twice. Consequently, Fielding ruled out the goal.



Stirling livened up and Daniel Micevski’s curling shot was saved low by Francis Soale, and Boas Mtwale’s long-range shot whistled just over the top.

In a poignant moment on 38 minutes, the whole ground began a minutes applause in memory of Tombides.

It was Alavakis who was keeping Stirling in the game. He again saved superbly to deny Pritchard’s curling shot, but at the break it was scoreless.

Perth started the second half as they finished the first and they were ahead four minutes in, Pritchard firing low past Alavakis after good work from Wilkins.

The visitors should have levelled three minutes later. Good work on the right by Teeboy Kamara, ended with a low cross in to the area, where Brian Woodall slide in but sliced the ball wide of the post.

Perth then took control and doubled their lead on 55 minutes. Wilkins again was the provider, pulling the ball back to Pritchard, who made no mistake from 5m.

The game was slipping away from Stirling and Perth made it 3-0 on 66 minutes, Da Luz firing home after being picked out Wilkins.

Stirling were now almost out on their feet, and Perth completed the knock out by adding two more goals late.

Keltie firing home from the edge of the penalty area, before Evans capped off a great team performance from Perth, by curling home the fifth two minutes from time.

Perth SC 5 (Pritchard 49 mins, 55’, Da Luz 66’, Keltie 77’, Evans 88’)
Stirling Lions 0
Sunday 7 June 2015
Dorrien Gardens, West Perth
Referee: Adam Fielding
Assistants: Brenden Skinner and Oliver Allen

Perth SC: GK Francis SOALE, 2 Josh WILKINS, 3 David CYRUS (12 Marco SANTALUCIA 75’), 4 James MAROCCHI, 5 Dean EVANS, 6 Clark KELTIE, 7 Carlo COELHO (10 Ashley ROSINDALE 63’), 8 Aden DA LUZ (18 Josh PEREIRA 79’), 11 Julian MADASCHI, 13 Rocco PIZZATA, 14 Mark PRITCHARD
Subs not used: RGK Alex DUNN, 16 Nicholas AMBROGIO
Yellow Cards: Nil

Stirling Lions: GK Lance ALAVAKIS, 2 Boas MTWALE, 3 Steve PURTON, 7 Miki VUJACIC, 8 Tim HILL, 9 Teeboy KAMARA, 10 Daniel MICEVSKI, 12 Robert MARIANO (15 Robert PETKOV 67’), 17 Brian WOODALL, 18 Nathan BOWDEN-HASSE, 14 Anthony BAFOBUSHA (4 Billy QUINNCROFT 83’)
Subs not used: RGK Luke RADONICH, 11 Loic ANGA, 13 Jason RUBIC
Yellow Cards: Nil