Perth snatch win late
Report by Kalon Harrison
High-flying Perth SC benefited from a slice of luck in the 89th minute when Mark Pritchard's shot hit the upright and bounced in off the back of ECU Joondalup goalkeeper Andy Banks.
The goal gave Perth a 2-1 win at Dorrien Gardens and they are now just two points behind league leaders Bayswater City following their loss to Cockburn City.
Pictured: Mark Pritchard. Photo: Peter Simcox
The home side were pushed much harder than in their previous two league games but coach Taki Nicolaidis said the belief in the squad got them over the line.
“When things aren’t quite working in the game you need to change a few things to get the right mix,” he said. “Having that flexibility gives me variety as a coach.
“Winning is a good habit and we’ve been doing that.”
Perth opened the scoring with Ash Rosindale continuing his goal scoring form since returning from injury.
In the 31st minute the striker peeled away from his marker with a clever first touch, gave himself a metre of space and scored at the near post, catching Banks off guard.
ECU started the second half stronger and played their way back into the game after an underwhelming first half.
Their efforts were rewarded in the 66th minute when Jon Stynes headed the ball back across goalkeeper Francis Soale.
The game opened up as both teams searched for the win in the last twenty minutes but it was the home side that got the break through.
ECU coach Dale McCulloch said he told his players their season was not over and they will be fighting in the remaining three games.
“I thought we deserved to win the game today let alone hold on for a draw,” he said. “The game plan was to press them and I think we did that for seventy minutes. But those last twenty killed us.”
Joondalup are in eighth position and four points behind Floreat with just three games remaining.
Perth SC 2 (Ash ROSINDALE 31’, Andy BANKS OG 89’)
ECU Joondalup SC 1 (Jon STYNES 66’)
Saturday 2 August, 2014
Dorrien Gardens
Kick-off: 3:00pm
Referee: S. Gregory
Crowd approx: 250
Perth: 1. Francis SOALE, 2. Josh WILKINS, 6. Clarke KELTIE, 13. Alex CASTIELLO, 20. James MAROCCHI, 19. Andreas THEODOSIADES, 14. Mark PRITCHARD, 18. Jason BERRERA (12. Tim ROBERTSON 79’), 15. Mark DONINGER, 8. Aden DA LUZ (22. H. ORR 84’), 10. Ash ROSINDALE (9. Friday ZICO 62’)
Subs not used: 21. M. SANTA LUCIA, 24. Domenic SAVOLDELLI
Yellow cards: Nil
Red cards: Nil
ECU Joondalup: 1. Andy BANKS, 2. Ryan LOWRY, 3. Jon HIGGINS, 19. Stuart MONTGOMERY (14. Jake BENSON COOPER 59’), 5. Carl RODGERS (17. Dejan SPASESKI 50’), 6. Jon STYONES, 7. Henry DURR, 8. Joe SMITH, 10. Andy HIGGINS, 11. Danny DIXON, 13. Tommy AMPHLETT
Subs not used: 9. Dave FOSTER, 15. Ryan TONWSEND, 21. Jamie SERRA
Yellow cards: Dixon 15’, Smith 21’
Red cards: Nil
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