Report by Tommy Doleman

Floreat Athena continued their high-scoring form to defeat Perth 3-1 and book themselves a place in next weekend’s Night Series Grand Final.

Athena, who topped Group A, were impressive throughout this semi-final at Percy Doyle Reserve, seizing control with goals either side of half time from defender Blair Govan.

Pictured: Floreat celebrate Boi's goal. Photo: Vince Caratozzolo.

Perth were reduced to 10-men moments after an own goal gave them a lift, before Ludo Boi rounded off a nice team move to seal the win.

Boi’s goal was Floreat’s 13th in their last four games, a total which emphasises an exciting brand of football being played this pre-season under coach Glen Grostate.

“We’ve stuck to a game plan today where we’re trying to bring an attacking style of football to the club,” he said.

“If you’re going to beat Floreat, you’ll have to score goals, because there’s no question we’re going to.

“The new system is working. I’ve got a great bunch of lads that as a group are agreeing to carry on with this structure and at the moment we’re very hard to stop going forward.”

It was a fast start as Floreat and Perth tried their luck from distance in a very willing first 20 minutes.

Floreat edged the midfield battle and were rewarded for a good spell of pressure when full-back Govan diverted Jack Allen’s drive into the net.

Perth were largely restricted to long-range efforts and could have been further behind, only for a great goal-line clearance by Dean Evans to deny Kris Gate.

They did concede a second goal six minutes after the break, though, when Govan rose highest from a corner to double the lead.

That two-goal advantage lasted only 60 seconds as Ash Rosindale’s goalbound effort took a final touch off Clayton Arnez to give Perth hope.

But a second yellow card for Perth skipper Clark Keltie after a foul on Allen halted any momentum from that lifeline, and Floreat capitalised soon after.

Lewis McMahon and Ashley Corker were involved in neat build up around the box, before Boi fired home brilliantly to make it 3-1 on the hour.

Floreat had chances to add gloss to the score, but maintained a firm rear-guard, which pleased Grostate as much as his teams attacking intent.

“Aryn Williams was super strong and Denis Galan stepped in and did a magnificent job today against two fantastic (Perth) strikers,” he said.

“We’ve always had a good team at Floreat, but now we’re starting to build a strong squad too.

“Perth are a massive club, but we fought today for what we wanted.”

Floreat will face Cockburn in Saturday’s Night Series Final after Cockburn City defeated Stirling Lions 2-1 in the other semi-final.

Floreat Athena 3 (Govan 27min, 51, Boi 59)
Perth SC 1 (Arnez OG 52)
Sunday 15 March 2015
Percy Doyle Reserve
Local kick-off: 5:00pm

Floreat Athena: GK. Fraser GREENWOOD, 2. Blair GOVAN, 3. Jack ALLEN, 4. Aryn Williams, 6. Clayton ARNEZ (15. Anthony BAFOBUSHA 66’), 8. Robert GASPER, 11. Dennis GALAN, 12. Kris GATE, 14. Ludovic BOI (C), 16. Ashley CORKER, 20. Lewis MCMAHON.
Subs not used: 9. Ryan PRETORIUS, 10. Andrew SCALDAFERRO, 23. Nicholas FELEKIS.
Yellow cards: Arnez 23’ Galan 61’
Red cards: Nil

Perth SC: GK. Alex DUNN, 3. Luka NJEGICH (2. Alex CASTELLIO 1’), 4. Calum O’CONNELL, 5. Dean EVANS, 6. Clarke KELTIE (C), 8. Aden DA LUZ (12. Marco SANTALUCIA 76’), 10. Ash ROSINDALE, 11. Joshua WILKINS, 14. Mark PRITCHARD (7. Carlos COELHO 69’), 17. Reece VITTIGLIA, 19. Andreas THEODOSIADES.
Subs not used: 9. Harley ORR, 24. Dom SAVOLDELLI.
Yellow cards: Keltie 28’, Vittiglia 62’, Pritchard 65’, Wilkins 77’
Red cards: Keltie 53’