Report by Aisling Lawless

Perth SC snatched a 1-0 win in the dying moments to deny Subiaco a point in their National Premier Leagues match at the WA Athletics Stadium yesterday.

Clark Keltie’s 90th minute goal gave Perth their sixth consecutive away win, catapulting them back to second position on the NPL WA table.

The English midfielder was relieved to seal the win but was not impressed with the Azzurri’s performance.

“But when the chips are down you’ve got to work hard and stick together as a team, and we did keep a clean sheet, which is a bonus,” he said.

 “Absolute credit must go to Subiaco. They set out to stop us from playing and I thought their character was outstanding.”

Subiaco coach Gerry McEwan was disappointed they conceded a late goal.

“It’s been hard obviously,” McEwan said. “We’re losing every week in the league and you’ve got to lift the players every game. But we’ve really only been outplayed in two games, against Bayswater and Inglewood. I think Perth know we deserved a draw at least.”

It was a game of few chances and Subiaco’s persistence was not enough to break through Perth’s defence.

Jordan Rhodes came close to scoring in the 12th minute after receiving a pass from Josh Booysen but his shot across goal narrowly missed the inside of the left post.

They were mostly restricted to shots from outside the box, such as Jack Rycroft’s long-range effort in the 29th minute, which beat keeper Alex Dunn, but bounced off the underside of the crossbar.

Perth passed the ball around well in midfield but lacked their usual fluidity up front, which meant Subiaco keeper Henry Davies saw little action.

Perth suffered a blow when talented winger Friday Zico left the field in the 41st minute with an ankle concern, after a tackle from Ian McMurray.

While Subiaco had the majority of possession in the second half they lacked an edge in the final third and both sides only looked threatening from set pieces.

The breakthrough came from a corner late in the game when Ashley Rosindale picked up the ball amongst a sea of blue shirts and passed across goal to Keltie for a tap in.

Subiaco came close to equalising in the 93rd minute when Matt Akehurst chipped the ball to Rhodes in the box but Dunn parried his powerful shot out for a corner.

It was a nail biting finish for Perth coach Taki Nicolaidis, who was worried they would once again fail to come away with a win.

“It’s the second week in a row where it wasn’t one of our best games,” Nicolaidis said. “But on the flipside of things, to not play well and come away with the three points, I’m happy with that.

“You can’t expect to play 22 games a season and be outstanding and the better team in all of them.

“But we probably need to work a bit more on our work rate and decision making.”

Subiaco 0
Perth 1 (Clark Keltie 90’)

Saturday May 24, 2014

Venue: WA Athletics Stadium

Kick-off: 3pm

Referee: Tim Mihevc
Assistant referees: Nico Hoyle, Shane Skinner
Crowd: Appx 300

Subiaco: 1. Henry DAVIES (gk), 2. Nathan DIAZ, 3. Rowdy YATES, 4. Alex RANDELL 6. Brad McDONALD, 8. Jordan RHODES, 9. Ian MCMURRAY, 10. Guy McDONALD, (c), 13. Jonas DORLING, (5. Shatoosk BHAT 79’), 14. Josh BOOYSEN, (12. Mitch STEINBERG 85’), 15. Jack RYCROFT, (11. Matt AKEHURST 68’).
Substitutes not used: 16. Owen COATES, 21. Jack HOWARD.
Yellow cards: 14. Josh BOOYSEN 25’, Alex RANDELL 35’, 9. Ian MCMURRAY 41’
Red cards: Nil

Perth: 1. Alex DUNN (gk), 2. Josh WILKINS, 3. Luka NJEGICH, 4. Craig SIMPSON (c), 5. Adrian MADASCHI, (20. James MAROCCHI 85’), 6. Clark KELTIE, 8. Aden DA LUZ, 9. Friday ZICO, (13. Alex CASTIELLO 41’),10. Ashley ROSINDALE, 15. Mark DONINGER (16. N. AMBROGIO 72’), 19. Andreas THEODOSIADES
Substitutes not used: 23. Francis SOALE (gk), 18. M. SANTALUCIA.
Yellow cards: Adrian MADASCHI 30’
Red cards: Nil