By Ghaz Ramli

Photo courtesy Vince Caratozzolo

Perth Soccer Club were held to a 1-1 draw against Floreat Athena in a round five fixture at Dorrien Gardens on Saturday night.

Perth's new signing Tom King broke the deadlock in the 77th minute but it was Floreat's Chris Saldaris' 90th minute equaliser that stole the show.

It was a closely contested match between the two sides in the first half but both teams came close to converting their chances less than a handful times.

Floreat’s first chance came in the 28th minute via a free kick by Phil Arnold but his effort was saved by Perth gloveman Francis Soale.

A minute later Perth’s Gustavo Catacione got the ball in front of the goal but couldn’t finish.

In the 42nd minute, Arnold was again awarded a free kick at the edge of the box but again he was denied by Soale.

Matthew Milenkovic almost put Perth ahead a minute before half time with his shot from 30m flashing centimetres wide.

After the break, Floreat kept control of the game pressing the Perth’s defence several times.

Captain Ludo Boi came close in the 62nd minute as his low shot from a corner went wide.

King managed to break the deadlock in the 77th minute after making a run down the flank, beating the Floreat defence and chipping goalkeeper Jason Saldaris.

Reece Vittiglia could have made it 2-0 a minute later but was denied by Saldaris.

Perth captain Clark Keltie had a long-range attempt in the 82nd minute but fired just over the bar.

Chris Saldaris rewarded the visitors’ efforts with the equalising goal in stoppage time.

His header found the back of the net after Soale failed to clear Arnold’s initial attempt.

Floreat coach Glen Grostate was happy with his side’s efforts.

“It was an even game, we pressed hard and we worked hard,” he said.

“We came here with a plan and without four usual players in the starting 11 we are happy to walk away with a point.”

Grostate will prepare his team for next weekend’s match against ECU Joondalup.

“With (Steven) McGarry in attack we will need to work out our plans come Tuesday and run the drills. We have set self-targets and will work on it,” he said.

Perth’s coach Gareth Naven was happy with the point but believed the boys deserved the win for the efforts displayed.

“The squad works hard to create their style of play and with a last minute goal it was a bit disappointing,” he said.

“We could have done things a lot quicker and probably got an early goal but the boys did their best.”

Perth SC 1 (Tom King 77 min)
Floreat Athena 1 (Christopher Saldaris 90+1min)
Saturday April 16 2016
Venue: Dorrien Gardens
Referee:  Tom Glavovic
Assistants: Mike Southern, Julian Somma
 
Perth SC: 1 Francis SOALE, 2 David FILIPPOU (5 Dean EVANS 33min), 3 Marco SANTALUCIA, 4 Adrian MADASCHI, 6 Clark KELTIE, 9 Gustavo CATARCIONE (12 Jordan DE LEO 90min), 10 Nick AMBROGIO (17 Recce VITTIGLIA) 8 Tom KING, 13 Rocco PIZZATA, 14 Dino TOPCAGIC, 21 Matthew MILENKOVIC
Sub not used: RGK Daniel PASSARELLI,
Yellow cards: Milenkovic 36’, Keltie 40’, Ambrogio 57’, Madaschi 90’

Floreat Athena: 1 Jason SALDARIS, 4 Andrew SCALDAFERRO (17 Daniel Hepudrtit 75min), 3 Blair GOVAN, 5 Bobby WILSON, 15 Christoper SALDARIS, 6 Clayton ARNEZ, 12 Declan HARGREAVES, 11 Dennis GALAN, 14 Ludovic BOI, 18 Phillip ARNOLD, 13 Arnold DELANY
Sub not used: Matthew Izzo, Steve Kantor, Tthomas Chudy, Sam Khankhalili
Yellow cards: Wilson 33’, Hargreaves 88’,  Govan 90’