Perth in ominous form ahead of finals

Report and photo by Peter Simcox

 

Current PS4 NPLWA Champions Perth Soccer Club produced a stunning performance to thrash ECU Joondalup 6-1 in the final game of the regular season at Dorrien Gardens on Saturday.

The result sends a clear message to the other sides participating in the McInerney Ford Top Four Cup  that they won’t relinquish their title without a fight.

A first half brace from Niccolo Sabatini and one from Gustavo Catarcione put Perth on their way, before Gordon Smith pulled one back for the visitors just after half time.

But Tom King and Andreas Theodosiades regained control for Perth, before Catarcione added his second late.

Perth coach Ramon Falzon said it was a great performance from his side. 

“We went into the game wanting to put on a good performance and to score a lot of goals and I got both today," he said.

“We have brought many young players into our squad, and we’ve worked hard on their game, but we expect a return from them and they are doing that.”

 

Tom King got in on the act with the fourth goal, and said his side will be doing all they can to hold on to their crown.

“We went out knowing goals and results would give us a chance of regaining the title," he said.

“It was nice to get on the scoresheet. I’ve been getting grief all season from the lads for not scoring, so it was nice to get one today.

“We move on to the finals, it’s ours to defend and we’ll be doing all we can to do that.”   

The thrashing didn’t look on the cards early, with a Gordon Smith shot flashing over the top for the visitors, but Perth then started to get on top, and Sabatini fired in front on 14 minutes.

Perth looked hungry for more and youngster Elliot Tattersal, who was making his starting league debut, fired over the top moments later.

But on the half hour they doubled their lead when Nicholas Ambrogio’s cross found the unmarked Catarcione, who volleyed home.

ECU keeper Fraser Greenwood was a busy man, saving well to deny Catarcione one-on-one, before denying the Brazilian again with a super save three minutes before the break.

But on the stroke of half time Perth added a third. Catarcione was brought down by Jack Jones and Sabatini sent Greenwood the wrong way to send the home side in with a 3-0 lead.

ECU were back in the game three minutes into the second half when Gordon Smith was brought down by Perth keeper Francis Soale and referee Steven Gregory pointed to the spot.

Smith picked himself up to score, but normal service was resumed for Perth seven minutes later, with King finding the corner of the net.

It was soon 5-1, as King burst down the left and found Theodosiades who made no mistake, before Catarcione raced clear to add a sixth on 70 minutes.

 

Perth SC 6 (Sabatini 14min, 45 pen, Catarcione 30, 70, King 55, Theodosiades 61)

ECU Joondalup 1 (Smith 48’ pen)

Saturday, August 26, 2017

Dorrien Gardens

Kick-off: 3:00pm

Referee: Steven Gregory

Assistant Referees: Sorousha Moayer, Adam Rowswell


Perth SC: GK Francis SOALE (c), 3 Andreas THEODOSIADES, 4 Adrian MADASCHI, 5 Niccolo SABATINI (7 Aleks JOVIC 75’, 8 Tom KING, 9 Gustavo CATARCIONE, 10 Nicholas AMBROGIO (2 Alex SILLA 75’), 13 Rocco PIZZATA, 16 Kieran COLWELL, 18 Lewis MILNE, 20 Elliot TATTERSAL (17 Frank FURFARO 57’)

Substitutes not used: RGK Malek KUC, 11 Matthew MILENKOVIC

Yellow cards: Milne 48’

Red cards: Nil


ECU Joondalup: GK Fraser GREENWOOD, 2 Rikki SMITH, 3 Ross MILLARD, 4 Steven MCGARRY, 5 Graham DORAN (18 Cian HIRRELL 46’), 6 Shane PICKERING, 8 Declan HUGHES, 10 Gordon SMITH, 11 Samuel POLLARD, 17 Jack JONES (13 Tommy AMPHLETT 46’) (9 James OWEN 85’), 19 Ben JOHNS

Substitutes not used: RGK Jordan YOUNG, 7 Ryan MCDARBY

Yellow cards: McGarry 69’, Owen 89'

Red Cards: Nil




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