Perth put five past gutsy Armadale
Report by Alasdair Beer
Substitutes came to Perth SC’s rescue as they emerged as 5-2 winners over Armadale at Dorrien Gardens on Saturday.
The visitors showed great spirit to come back from 2-0 behind to level, before a Carlo Coelho brace either side of fellow substitute Harley Orr’s strike ended the contest.
It was a somber occasion for the hosts, who wore black armbands to observe the passing of WA football legend Ernie Hannigan, and long-time Perth SC member Nino Rutigliani.
The home crowd came to life soon after observing a minute’s silence, as Perth captain Clark Keltie rose highest to head home powerfully in the second minute.
Nicholas Ambrogio was denied by a desperate Armadale defense soon after as Perth dominated in the early stages.
The Azzurri were irrepressible, and doubled their lead on 15 minutes when Armadale keeper Dylan Wilson couldn’t hold Dean Evans’ fierce strike, and Aden Da Luz tucked away the rebound.
They nearly added a third, but Keltie scuffed his attempted volley after a slick-attacking move.
Armadale showed greater fight in the second half, and were rewarded three minutes in when the energetic Sam Loveless won a penalty box tussle to prod home.
Loveless then played his part at the other end of the field, skillfully dispossessing Ambrogio as he closed in on goal.
The visitors’ revival was confirmed on the hour, as Evans was adjudged to have brought down Raveshlan Kuppusamy in the area, and Jackson Bealey sent Perth keeper Alex Dunn the wrong way with the resultant penalty.
Armadale nearly took the lead through Faustino Machochi, who hit his shot straight at Dunn.
It wasn’t to be for the visitors, however, as substitute Coelho tapped in from Mark Pritchard’s cross despite Armadale’s calls for offside in the build-up.
Orr was introduced in the 75th, and drew an impressive diving save from Wilson with a header.
He atoned for the missed opportunity a minute from time with a sharp reflex volley from a low Da Luz cross.
Coelho then put the result beyond doubt a minute later, capitalising on a defensive slip to slot past Wilson into the bottom corner.
Perth coach Taki Nicolaidis was pleased with his team’s response after conceding in the 94th minute in last week’s 4-3 loss to Floreat Athena.
“Last week was pretty gut-wrenching for us, and we came out in the first half and played really well,” he said.
“Credit to Armadale — in the second half they rolled the dice and put us under quite a bit of pressure.”
Nicolaidis said he would assess the fitness of his players before deciding on a lineup for Monday’s FFA Cup Preliminary Quarter Final against Subiaco.
Armadale Coach Paul Price was encouraged by his young team’s performance.
“Our right back was 16 years old today and we had five 17 year olds playing,” he said.
“So we’re absolutely delighted with the way they played, given how experienced Perth are.”
Price said injuries at the club had given opportunities to younger players, who were playing well, but who needed experienced teammates.
“Hopefully during the transfer period we can get a few players in to complement what we’ve got,” he said.
Round 10 of the PS4 National Premier League sees Perth at home again to Stirling, whilst Armadale host the ladder-leading Bayswater City.
Perth SC 5 (Keltie 2’, Da Luz 15’, Coelho 65’, 90’, Orr 89’)
Armadale 2 (Loveless 48’, Bealey pen 60’)
Saturday, May 30, 2015
Dorrien Gardens
Perth SC: GK Alex DUNN, 2 Josh WILKINS, 4 James MAROCCHI, 5 Dean EVANS, 6 Clark KELTIE (C), 8 Aden DA LUZ, 12 Marco SANTALUCIA (11 Julian MADASCHI 68’), 13 Rocco PIZZATA, 14 Mark PRITCHARD, 16 Nicholas AMBROGIO (7 Carlo COELHO 61’), 18 Josh PEREIRA (9 Harley ORR 75’)
Substitutes not used: 15 Dino TOPCAGIC, 23 Francis SOALE
Yellow cards: Wilkins 67’
Armadale: GK Dylan WILSON, 2 Sam COLE, 4 Ryan JAMES, 5 Sam LOVELESS, 6 Jake SARDELIC, 7 Faustino MACHOCHI, 8 Kade MCNAMARA (Beau ABDUL RAHIM 64’), 10 Nick CRERAND, 11 Jackson BEALEY, 14 Mitch CASTRILLI, 17 Raveshlan KUPPUSAMY (13 Jamal YUSOF 69’)
Substitutes not used: 1 Alex RADONICH, 3 Sam KHANKALILI
Yellow cards: McNamara 50’, Crerand 85’
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