Photo: Heather Miller


Report by Kelechi Osunwa

Nicholas Ambrogio proved to be the difference in Perth SC’s 3-1 victory over Cockburn in their PS4 National Premier Leagues WA fixture at Dorrien Gardens.

Fresh from scoring a contender for goal of the season last week against Inglewood United, the 19-year-old striker was at his lethal best, scoring two from his four chances.

“It was good to bag a goal last week and two today,” he said.

“I could have got a third, but all that matters is that we got the result, the three points and that’s good momentum.”

Cockburn started the better of the two sides with Rory Patterson, Conor Kavanagh and Eamon McNelis dictating much of the early stages and causing Perth trouble.

Cockburn, however, could not convert their early pressure into any significant chances and were hit with a sucker punch.

Ambrogio timed his run to perfection to collect Clarke Keltie’s incisive pass and kept his composure to dink over the on-rushing goalkeeper.

Cockburn fought back and almost pulled level 10 minutes later. Feisal Zaw delivered a delicate ball into the box for Liam Murray, who lobbed over from 6m.

Perth had two great chances to double the lead after half time, but found Cockburn custodian Curtis Aspden equal to both chances. First, he dived low to stop a shot with his out-stretched leg, before palming a goal-bound chip over the bar.

Aspden was helpless, though, as Ambrogio scored his second goal. The striker’s deft flick found the back of the net after substitute Frank Furfaro’s piece of individual brilliance.

The game seemed over as a contest 10 minutes later, when referee Tim Mihevc awarded Perth a penalty after consulting his assistant Shuo Chen, who flagged against McNelis for hand ball.

Mark Pritchard stroked home the penalty to give Perth a 3-0 lead and a fifth goal in five appearances.

Rory Patterson grabbed a late consolation goal with a determined finish, but Perth held firm for the three points. 

Coach Taki Nicolaidis spoke about the resilience his side showed with many players having flu-like symptoms and how the added motivation of the Westfield FFA Cup is forcing players to stand up and be counted.

“Every player wants to be on that plane,” he said.

“That’s big for us. Not saying the league’s too far away from us and we’ve got to keep doing our bit and keep winning each week, which we are at the moment.”

Nicolaidis also had extra praise for his captain and last year’s Gold Medal winner.

“Clark (Keltie) took several days of work, just rolled up his sleeves, led as a captain and just made sure everyone was on their toes,” he said.

“It’s the young guys that will do the work for you, and give you the enthusiasm and it’s the older guys that will steer the ship.”

Perth SC 3 (Ambrogio 14mins, 65, Pritchard 74’)
Cockburn City  1 (Patterson 80min)
Dorrien Gardens
Kick-off: 3:00pm
Referee: Tim Mihevc
Assistant Referees: Shuo Chen, Simon Hicks

Perth SC: 1. Francis SOALE, 2. Joshua WILKINS (4. Calum O’CONNELL 46’), 3. David CYRUS, 5. Dean EVANS, 6. Clark KELTIE, 7. Carlo COELHO (11. Frank FURFARO 60’), 8. Aden DA LUZ, 12. Marco SANTALUCIA, 14. Mark PRITCHARD, 16. Nicholas AMBROGIO (9. Harley ORR 75’), 18. Josh PEREIRA,
Substitutes not used: 21. Dino TOPCAGIC, 23. Alex DUNN
Yellow Cards: Marco Santalucia 92’
Red Cards: nil

Cockburn City SC: 1. Curtis ASPDEN, 3. Jonathan CORNESS, 5. Alan CARROLL, 7. Friday ZICO (16. Julian TELES 60’), 9. Liam MURRAY (6. Kenel MOUITHYS 75’), 10. Rory PATTERSON, 11. Devon GIBSON, 12. Feisal ZAW (8. David ARAYA 65’), 13. Blake ADAMS, 14. Conor KAVANAGH, 17. Eamon MCNELIS
Substitutes not used: 23. Jack ADAMS, 2. Josh KUSER,
Yellow Cards: Alan Carroll 66’, Eamon McNelis 81’
Red Cards: nil