Report by Tommy Doleman

Pictured: Perth captain Clark Keltie prepares to raise the cup. Photo: Vince Caratozzolo

Gustavo Catarcione’s late header won The West Australian Top Four Cup for Perth Soccer Club as they completed a PS4 National Premier Leagues WA double with a 1-0 win over Inglewood United at Dorrien Gardens.

Catarcione’s header came seven minutes from time and somewhat against the run of play as Inglewood had the better of the second-half chances following a scratchy first half.

Perth skipper Clark Keltie was delighted to lift the trophy having led a relatively young squad to the league title and Top Four Cup success.

“It’s unbelievable to be honest,” he said. “The boys have proved time and time again that they’re capable of getting the result and over the course of the season I think we’ve deserved that.”

“The young boys are honest and have listened to what they’ve been told all season and held their own against a more experienced, hardened side by keeping their shape and sticking to the game plan.”

Keltie also reserved praise for coach Ramon Falzon, who joined the club mid-season following the departure of Gareth Naven to Melbourne Victory.

“Ramon goes about his business quietly. He’s humble, modest and doesn’t really scream and shout,” he said.

“He hasn’t really changed the foundations that were set by Gareth, who played a massive part of the season, but Ramon has kept the wheels rolling and has been fantastic for the club.”

Falzon admitted his side weathered a storm at times but wasn’t surprised with the resilience his side showed.

“It was very similar to last week (in the Major Semi-Final) when Inglewood pushed on us in the second half,” he said. “But we’ve absorbed pressure well throughout the season and clean sheets are a fundamental part of the game.”

Despite playing a third game in a week with the previous two going all the way to penalties, it was Inglewood that came out of the blocks quickly and had an opportunity in the first minute as Woodall headed over John Migas’ cross.

The first half was particularly disjointed with Perth’s best effort coming through Aleksander Jovic, who drove just wide from 18m.

United’s best effort came on the stroke of half time as Woodall curled a free kick just wide from the edge of the area.

The visitors started to turn the screw in the second half as Rocco Pizzata sliced over his own bar before Kenny Keogh headed wide the subsequent corner.

Francis Soale then saved brilliantly from Scott Blackmore with Kenny Keogh misplacing the follow-up attempt.

Man-of-the-match Jason Barerra’s volley was blocked as Inglewood maintained all the pressure on Perth but the hosts struck with seven minutes left to send the crowd into raptures.

Harley Orr swung in a terrific cross from the left and Catarcione got in between two defenders to rise and head expertly into the far corner.

The visitors continued to press in search of a late equaliser but it never arrived as Perth held on to complete a league and Top Four Cup double.

Inglewood coach Taki Nicolaidis was proud of his players and believed his side didn’t get reward for their efforts.

“I thought we were fantastic today,” he said. “To play two lots of 120 minutes and penalties and then to play fantastic football, have the better chances and do everything but score, I couldn’t be prouder of our guys.”

“The way we were playing I was pretty comfortable, but we had one loss of concentration on the counter-attack… it’s pretty hard to take at the minute.”

Perth SC 1 (Catarcione 83’)
Inglewood United 0
Saturday September 10, 2016
Dorrien Gardens
Local kick-off: 3:00pm
Referee: David Bruce

Perth SC: GK: Francis SOALE, 4. Adrian MADASCHI, 6. Clarke KELTIE, 7. Aleksander JOVIC (3. Andreas THEODOSIADES 75’), 9. Gustavo CATARCIONE, 10. Nicholas AMBROGIO, 11. Matthew MILENKOVIC, 12. Jordan DE LEO, 13. Rocco PIZZATA, 15. Harley ORR, 18. Alex SILLA (5. Nathan DIAZ 80’).
Substitutes not used: RGK: Daniel PASSARELLI, 2. David FILLIPOU, 16. Thomas JEBB.
Yellow cards: Silla 57’, Catarcione 90’
Red cards: Nil

Inglewood United: GK: Alex DUNN, 3. David CYRUS, 4. Scott BLACKMORE, 5. Adam TONG, 6. Calum O’CONNELL, 7. Kenny KEOGH (14. Mark PRITCHARD 86’), 8. Jason BARRERA, 9. Brian WOODALL, 10. Ash ROSINDALE (12. Scott WITSCHGE 70’), 11. John MIGAS, 13. Josh PEREIRA (18. Jason COLLI 86’).
Substitutes not used: RGK: Alex ISHIDA-LIVINGS, 25. Scott WALLIS.
Yellow cards: Nil
Red cards: Nil