Report by Adrian Klein

Cockburn City goalkeeper Luke Radonich proved to be the difference in their 3-1 win as he kept Armadale begging in front of goal at Alfred Skeet Reserve on Saturday.

The visitors defence stayed strong throughout the game with Armadale’s only goal coming from an own goal from Euen Grant in the 49th minute.  

Cockburn coach Scott Millar said his goalkeeper was excellent.

“Luke was outstanding today,” he said.

“Unfortunately when you’re a goalkeeper and you make a wrong decision you get nailed, but apart from that he was brilliant.”

The first goal came from Cockburn’s Harry O’Brien in the 28th minute as Armadale goalkeeper Alfie Brincat had an obstructed view from the crowded goal area.

Cockburn continued to lack possession throughout the first half but Armadale were unable to get past Radonich who was keeping his side in the game.

It took just four minutes into the second half for Armadale to get one back through a defensive blunder after Radonich punched the ball which rebounded off Grant’s back into net.

Four minutes later Cockburn got another goal as Angel Andres caught Brincat off his line and chipped him from range.

Early Cockburn substitute Kenel Mouithys paid off in the 62nd minute as he rubbed the salt in the wounds when he forced a goal through a second effort after his initial shot was saved.

Cockburn continued to be on the defensive end with their two goal advantage, with Radonich playing a huge role making save after save.

Armadale captain Jesse Fuller said that his side should’ve done more with their chances.

“We had the ball majority of the game,” he said.

“Our defence was pretty ordinary tonight, we had more chances than them, but they were just more clinical than us in front of goals.

“We were making errors at the wrong times in the wrong positions.”

The loss leaves Armadale four points clear off the bottom while Cockburn move to eighth position.

Armadale 1 (OG 49min)
Cockburn City 3 (O’Brien 28min, Andres 54, Mouithys 62)
Alfred Skeet Reserve
Kick-off: 5:00pm
Saturday, April 30
Referee: Matthew Southern
Assistant referees: Eamon Mcdonnel, Andre Ferreira

Armadale: GK Alfie BRINCAT, 2 Alex CASTIELLO, 3 Jake SARDELIC, 4 Jesse FULLER(c), 7 Papa KPATAR, 8. Caleb DIXON, 9. Darren FRANCIS (14. Dylan WHITE 69), 10 Alex SALMON, 11 Ellis HEALING, 15 Nathan SMITH, 16 Jordan CANDLISH (13. Jackson BEALEY 69)
Substitutes not used: RGK Alec RADONICH, 5.Sam LOVELESS
Yellow cards: Kpatar 56’, Bealey 88’  
Red cards: nil

Cockburn City: GK Luke Radonich, 4. Euen GRANT(c), 6. Reuben Tristao, 7. Ali Gholami (3. Nathan De ABREU 90), 10. David Araya, 11. Harry O’Brien, 13. Blake ADAMS, 16 Daniel Dols, 18. Aden Da Luz (12. Kenel MOUITHYS 56),19. Angel Andres (Jesse LAZZARO 78), 20. Josh KUSAR
Substitutes not used: 23. Eric CUTRI, 5. Liam MURRAY
Yellow cards: Da luz 35’, Mouithys 56’
Red cards: nil

23 Eric CUTRI