Report by Aidan Shaw

Perth SC came from behind to claim a 3-1 win over Armadale in round 12 of the PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues WA at Dorrien Gardens on Saturday.

Armadale’s early dominance was cancelled out by a wonder strike by Andreas Theodosiasdes, before Topcagic scored twice in quick succession to earn Perth the three points.

Perth’s Ramon Falzon said his side didn’t execute their game plan in the first half, but praised the way they turned it around in the second.

“They were hitting us quite heavily on the counter, so the first half was no good,” he said.

“We capitalised and scored goals in the second half, so well done to the boys.”

Armadale came out firing and had a string of early chances, while Perth struggled to hold possession in the middle.

Ellis Healing looked dangerous on the left wing and helped open the scoring in the 22nd minute, when he played in a corner that found Jesse Fuller at the back post.

Fuller’s goal bound header was blocked on the line, resulting in a goalmouth scramble that saw Danny Hodgson tap home to give his side the lead.

Perth found an equaliser in the 37th minute when Andreas Theodosiades scored a genuine contender for goal of the season.

Theodosiades picked up the ball against the run of play and fired a left-footed shot from distance that curled in to the top left corner, giving Alec Radonich no chance.

Armadale pushed to restore their lead, and were unlucky not to be awarded a penalty in the 42nd minute.

Ellis Healing made a great run in to the box from the left wing and was seemingly brought to ground, but the referee called play-on despite pleas from the Armadale camp.

Perth came out of the blocks in the second half, and looked dangerous going forward as they pushed to turn the game in their favour.

Their efforts were rewarded in the 57th minute when Gustavo Catarcione fed Topcagic in the box, who made no mistake firing low in to the bottom corner.

Topcagic doubled his tally five minutes later on the counter attack, when he dribbled into the box and fired home emphatically via the crossbar.

The swift brace effectively sealed the result, as Armadale couldn’t capitalise on any of their chances to reduce the margin.

Topcagic said he was pleased with his side’s second half performance, and praised the long-range effort of teammate Theodosiades.

“I think he’s got goal of the season there,” he said. “It’s early rounds, but I know at least in our team he’s definitely got goal of the season.”

Armadale’s Paul Price praised his side for their attacking display in the first half.

“I thought we were superb in the first half, we played them off the park,” he said.

“They didn’t really threaten but then [Theodosiades] hit a shot from 30 yards that goes in the top corner.”

“Those things hinge, and they are always hinging against us,” he said. “Sometimes there is not much you can do about it.”

The result sees Perth move to third on the league table, one point behind Inglewood United, while Armadale remain second bottom.

Perth 3 (Theodosiasdes 38min, Topcagic 57, 62)
Armadale SC 1 (Hodgson 22min)
Saturday, June 11, 2016    
Dorrien Gardens
Kick-off: 3:00pm
Referee: Tom Glavovic
Assistant referees: Sorousha Moayer, Troy Malatesta

Perth SC: GK Francis SOALE, 2. David FILLIPPOU, 3. Andreas THEODOSIADES (12. Jordan DE LEO 59), 4. Adrian MADASCHI (c), 5. Nathan DIAZ, 8. Tom KING, 9. Gustavo CATARCIONE, 10. Nicholas AMBROGIO, 13. Rocco PIZZATA, 14. Dino TOPCAGIC (17. Francesco FURFARO 87), 16. Thomas JEBB (7. Aleksander JOVIC 70)
Substitutes not used: RGK Daniel PASSARELLI
Yellow cards: Pizzata 90+1
Red cards: nil

Armadale: GK Alec RADONICH, 2. Alex CASTIELLO, 3. Jake SARDELIC, 4. Jesse FULLER (c), 5. David ANNALL, 7. Danny HODGSON (18. James ATKINS 68), 10. Papa KPATAR (6. Brendon OFFER 73), 11. Ellis HEALING, 14. Dylan WHITE, 15. Nathan SMITH, 16. Jordan CANDLISH
Substitutes not used: RGK Alfie BRINCAT, 17. Justin ONEK
Yellow cards: nil
Red cards: nil