Report by Tommy Doleman

Pictured: Reece Vittiglia's header secures a victory for Perth. Photo: Heather Miller

Reece Vittiglia’s header midway through the second half got Perth’s PS4 National Premier Leagues WA season up and running as they defeated ECU Joondalup 1-0 at Dorrien Gardens on Saturday.

The visitors could have led before the break, with Danny Dixon involved in two good opportunities for ECU, the latter being a disallowed goal ruled out for offside.

But Perth gained control as the game wore on and they eventually got their goal as Vittiglia nodded in at the back post from Ash Rosindale’s cross.

Rosindale, who captained the team in place of the suspended Clarke Keltie, was pleased with his side’s performance in the season opener.

“I thought we were always in control of the game, even thought it was 0-0 for a long period, “ he said.

“They (ECU Joondalup) are a good side. Dale (McCulloch) has them well organised and they’ll compete this season for sure.

“But apart from a disallowed goal that maybe we got a bit fortunate with, I feel we dominated possession and chances and deserved the win.”

Perth looked sharp in the opening quarter of an hour as Carlo Coelho forced ECU goalkeeper Jamie Serra into a good save, before heading beyond Vittiglia from Calum O’Connell’s cross.

ECU Joondalup grew into the game and Dixon was at the heart of it, putting an awkward chance over the bar after good lead-up play from Tommy Amphlett.

He was then adjudged to be offside having tapped in when Alex Dunn saved from Scott Bushby’s shot from distance.

Amphlett then found himself through on goal on the hour mark, but could not hit the target, and Perth responded by having their best spell of the second half.

Rosindale and Vittiglia both forced Serra into saves from long range, before they combined on 67 minutes for the decisive goal as ECU Joondalup could not clear their lines.

O’Connell could have made the game safe for the home side, but he fired over as Perth held firm to claim a first win of the PS4 NPL WA season.

“We’ve probably conceded a few too many goals in pre-season and it was an aim today to be more resolute and keep it tight,” Rosindale said on his team’s clean sheet.

“I’m extremely proud of the young lads who came in at the back and kept a good Joondalup side out for 90 minutes. It’s a testament to the way they played.

“We were asked by the coaching staff to react to the Night Series defeat against Floreat and we’ve shown that today.”

Perth SC 1 (Vittiglia 67’)
ECU Joondalup 0
Saturday 28 March 2015
Dorrien Gardens
Local kick-off: 3:00pm

Perth SC: GK. Alex DUNN, 4. Calum O’CONNELL, 5. Dean EVANS, 7. Carlo COELHO (8. Aden DA LUZ 68’), 10. Ash ROSINDALE, 11. Joshua WILKINS, 12. Marco SANTALUCIA, 13. Rocco PIZZATA, 14. Mark PRITCHARD, (9. Harley ORR 88’), 17. Reece VITTIGLIA, 19. Andreas THEODOSIADES.
Substitutes not used: 15. Jordan DE LEO, 21. Matt MILENKOVIC 24. Dom SAVOLDELLI.
Yellow cards: Nil
Red cards: Nil

ECU Joondalup: GK. Jamie SERRA, 2. Ryan LOWRY, 4. Charlie COMYN-PLATT, 5. Carl RODGERS, 8. Joe SMITH, 9. Guy MCDONALD (6. Jon STYNES 70’), 10. Andy HIGGINS (18. Stuart MONTGOMERY 78’), 12. Josh TUCKER (11. Rowdy YATES 83’), 13. Tommy AMPHLETT, 14. Danny DIXON, 16. Scott BUSHBY.
Substitutes not used: 17. Ronald RIXER, 20. Andy BANKS.
Yellow cards: Nil
Red cards: Nil