Report by Peter Simcox

Perth SC and ECU Joondalup have fought out a scoreless draw at Dorrien Gardens on Saturday. 

The home side had keeper Francis Soale to thank, the Perth custodian pulling off two stunning saves late in the game to give a young Perth side a valuable point.

“It was probably the youngest team I’ve ever played in my time at the club,” Soale said. “The work rate the coaches have instilled in us was needed today.

“Like most teams, every time we play we want to win. But we were missing some experience out there and gave two teenagers their debuts for the first team today, so yes it was a good point for us.

“I did my job when required and there was probably more pressure on me today as I was one of the oldest out there.”

Perth coach Ramon Falzon said his young side deserved something from the game.

“It was a well-earned point today with the young players we had in the side,” he said. “But we are disappointed we didn’t take the chances we created, especially the disallowed goal.

“We struggled in the last 20 minutes with fitness as a number of players were playing their first game at this level. And Francis stood up today.”

ECU coach Dale McCulloch said they really went for it late in the game.

“We threw the kitchen sink at them late in the game and I thought we had a red hot go,” he said.

“We could have sat back late in the game and taken the point but we don’t want to be like that we want to win games and challenge for the finals.”

ECU went close to the lead after only 45 seconds. Henry Durr sent Daryl Nicol wide on the right and he played Gordon Smith in on goal but his shot flashed inches past a post.

The visitors were dominating; Tommy Amphlett fired over from the edge of the box before Shane Pickering headed just past a post.

But Perth steadied with Andreas Theodosiades in the middle of the park and skipper Tom King at the back was outstanding.

King’s superb through ball sent Jordan De Leo wide on the left and his low cross was well claimed by Lewis Italiano.

Perth were dangerous on the counter attack and both sides had late chances as the game opened up.

The lively Frank Furfaro’s cross picked out Perth striker Gustavo Catarcione, whose volley flew wide of the target before Gordon Smith raced clear again. But King got back with a great last ditch tackle to deny the ECU striker.

Perth opened brightly after halftime with former ECU winger Hayley Orr coming on at the break and they thought they had the lead on 56 minutes.

A free kick from Theodosiades was flicked in by Orr at the back post and the Perth players celebrated but after consulting with his assistant, referee Matthew Southern disallowed the goal for offside.

The visitors hit back and Cian Hirrell’s long-range shot fell kindly to Nicol, who raced into the area, but Soale stood tall to save well to deny the Scottish striker.

ECU were now dominating and on 82 minutes a quick free kick from Andy Higgins caught Perth napping and he found the unmarked Nicol at the back post only to fire his shot wide.

Moments later Nicol had the opportunity to make emends for his miss when he was sent into goal by Amphlett but again Soale was out quick to save well.

It was backs to the wall for Perth and in the final minute ECU went close to the winner. Amphlett finding Annis, whose first time shot was superbly tipped over by Soale.

Then in stoppage time Perth almost won it. Catarcione sent Furfaro racing down the right, he outpaced his marker but fired into the side netting and the points were shared.

Perth SC 0
ECU Joondalup 0
Saturday July 2, 2016
Dorrien Gardens
Referee: Matthew Southern
Assistants: Darren Quinlan, Max Hallas

Perth SC: GK Francis SOALE, 3 Andreas THEODOSIADES, 5 Nathan DIAZ, 7 Aleksandar JOVIC, 8 Tom KING (19 Vasco DA SILVA 72’), 9 Gustavo CATARCIONE, 10 Nicholas AMBROGIO, 12 Jordan DE LEO, 14 Dino TOPCAGIC (15 Hayley ORR 46’), 17 Frank FURFARO, 18 Alex SILLA
Subs not used: RGK Gianluca DE FELICE, 16 Thomas JEBB, 20 Paul ZIMARINO
Yellow Cards: Ambrogio 65’

ECU Joondalup: GK Lewis ITALIANO, 2 Ryan LOWRY, 3 Rikki SMITH, 4 Cian HIRRELL, 5 Andy HIGGINS, 6 Shane PICKERING (14 Ollie ANNIS 74’), 9 Daryl NICOL, 10 Gordon SMITH, 13 Tommy AMPHLETT, 17 Kevin MOON (4 Steven MCGARRY 16’), 18 Henry DURR,
Subs not used: RGK Todd HOYLE, 7 Bayley BROWN-MONTGOMERY, 15 Coire MCGUIGAN
Yellow Cards: Nil