Report by Peter Simcox

Floreat keeper Jason Saldaris came out on top in his batte with Julian Teles. Photo by Football West/FotoEnzo

Floreat Athena bounced back from Saturday’s title disappointment with a revenge win over Cockburn City in Wednesday’s NPLWA Men's Finals Series semi-final at Dalmatinac Park.  
 
First half goals from Andrew Maranta and Robert Harding won it for Vas Vujacic’s side, who now go on to play Perth SC in Sunday’s Grand Final at Dorrien Gadens. The Azzurri defeated new league champions ECU Joondalup 3-1 after extra-time in the other semi-final.   

A win against Cockburn on the weekend would have given Floreat the title but they conceded twice in the last 10 minutes to allow ECU in.

This time they made no mistake and Floreat skipper Jason Saldaris said: “It was a good shift from the lads tonight, considering the heartbreaking defeat on Saturday against them.  
 
“We scored early in the game and that settled some of our nerves, and to score just before half time was ideal for us.  
 
“As a keeper, I’m delighted with the clean sheet. But we defended well and we hope to take this form into Sunday’s grand final against Perth SC.”  
 
The visitors made the best possible start and hit the front after only nine minutes.  
 
A surging run down the right by Chris Saldaris saw him square the ball to Ludovic Boi, who laid it back for Maranta to beat Luke Radonich from the edge of the penalty area.
 
Cockburn hit back but found Floreat custodian Jason Saldaris in no mood to be beaten. He got down low to save Kristian Santich’s first time shot, before Santich curled one over the top.  
 
The home side were guilty of giving the ball away cheaply and it almost cost them after skipper Cameron Edwards was caught in possession, but Liam Murray’s effort flashed wide of the target.
 
Athena went even closer just before half time. Boi sent Harding down the right channel and his low shot beat Radonich only to hit the base of the far post and go away to safety.  
 
But Harding had the last laugh, scoring in the fourth minute of first half stoppage time. Radonich had just produced a smart save to deny Andrew Palmer, before Boi slipped in Harding, who finished neatly past the Cockburn keeper to send Floreat into the break with a 2-0 lead.    
 
Cockburn needed a good start to the second half but again Jason Saldaris stood between them. He saved low from Jesse Lazzaro’s free kick, before producing a smart save to deny Julian Teles.  
 
Floreat were still dangerous going forward, as they searched for a third to kill the game off. Boi stung the palms of Radonich, while Palmer fired the rebound over the top.
 
The home side weren’t going down without a fight and Teles was again thwarted by the alert Saldaris, before Lazzaro’s shot on the run flashed wide.  
 
Teles scored against Saldaris last Saturday to bring Cockburn level but he came out second best on Wednesday. And to underline his dominance, Saldaris produced a superb flying save just before the end to keep out the defender's point-blank header.  

Teams and match details

- In the NPLWA Men's 20s semi-finals, Bayswater City defeated Gwelup Croatia on penalties after the sides drew 1-1 at Dalmatinac Park.

Bayswater will face ECU Joondalup in Sunday's final after the Jacks defeated Perth SC 2-1.

The 18s semi-finals take place at Percy Doyle Reserve on Thursday night - Bayswater v Floreat (6pm) and Perth Glory v Sorrento (8pm).