By Bianca Niederberger

Perth SC’s Mark Doninger converted from the penalty spot as his side secured a 1-0 win in the Ferrari Cup against Balcatta at Dorrien Gardens.

A display of sleek Ferraris and Maseratis, reflecting the Italian heritage of both clubs, greeted spectators on their arrival at the ground. And there was plenty of grunt on the pitch, too, with a hard-fought arm wrestle of a match decided from the spot.

The victory left third-placed Perth trailing Balcatta on goal difference only.

Perth coach Taki Nicoladis said his team had been acutely aware of Balcatta’s recent string of good form going into the match.

“To come here and get a win against a team that were above us and that have been in form for about 8-10 weeks is a great result for us,” he said.

“Clarke Keltie and James Marocchi were showed great leadership at the back both in unfamiliar roles, so although we didn’t track hard enough or well enough in the second half, we defended very well today.”

With the added bonus of Adrian Caceres joining the fold, Perth showed they meant business from the start and dominated the first half, creating all sorts of dramas for the Balcatta back line.

While Balcatta showed glimpses of their recent winning form, chances for the visitors were few and far between as Perth maintained a defensive stranglehold over the usual suspects Lawrence Shuruma, Alex Caniglia and Carlo Coelho.

Recent Perth recruit Jason Barrera added some new options upfront in terms of pace and innovation but lacked a certain connection with his fellow attackers Doninger and Aden Da Luz.

Perth scored the sole goal for the match in the 22nd minute after being gifted a penalty for a trip in the box. Doninger made it look easy as he sent keeper Clint Davies the wrong way.

Unable to find any joy before half-time, Balcatta came out hard after the break, hoping to find a way through the previously impenetrable Perth defence.

They even tried playing the tall Adam Tong up front in an attempt to force their way through, or over, Marocchi, Keltie and Josh Wilkins but to no avail.

Perth were not finding it easy to advance either, passing on a few half chances as their efforts became increasingly defensive.

As Ben Meredith missed a real chance from the edge of the box in the dying minutes of the game, Balcatta had run out of time and energy and Perth had done enough.

Nicolaidis said his team were looking very good depth wise but were very much coming through a period of transition.

“We haven’t had the same starting 11 for quite a few weeks now and that’s not an easy thing for anyone to deal with,” he said.

“With the addition of Barrera and Caceres, and a few of our senior players returning to the mix over the next few weeks, things will start to settle down and we’ll just get better and better.”

Perth SC 1 (Doninger 22’ pen)
Balcatta 0
Saturday 5th July 2014
Dorrien Gardens
Attendance: approx. 220
Kick Off: 3:00pm
Referee: Matt Southern
Assistant Referees: Rob Hall, Alex Best

Perth SC: 1. Francis SOALE, 2. Josh WILKINS, 6. Clarke KELTIE, 20. James MAROCCHI, 3. Luka NJEGICH, 19. Andreas THEODOSIADES, 14. Mark PRITCHARD, 18. Jason BARRERA (9. Friday ZICO 79’), 7. Adrian CACERAS (17.Matt MILENKOVIC 66’), 8. Aden DA LUZ, 15. Mark DONINGER (21. JARROD BELFORD87’)
Substitutes not used: 12. T. ROBERTSON, , , , 13. Dom SAVOLDELLI
Yellow cards: Josh WILKINS 89’, Luka NJEGICH 93’
Red cards: Nil

Balcatta: 1. Clint DAVIES, 3. Kieron STALLARD, 5. Adam TONG, 6. Luke RANDAZZO (14. Benny KOUAKOU 56’), 8. David CYRUS, 8. David CYRUS, 9. Carlo COELHO (19. Ben MEREDITH 76’), 16. Alex CANIGLIA, 17. Kieran COLWELL, 18. Marc DE FRANCESCH (7. James SAMMUT 73’), 20. Patrick QUINN
Substitutes not used: 21. Damien STANOESVSKI, 12. Matt BROOK,
Yellow cards: Marc DE FRANCESH 21’, Kieron STALLARD 75’
Red cards: Nil