Report by Kelechi Osunwa

Photo courtesy Kate Jackson

Perth SC left it late to seal a well-deserved win over fierce rivals Bayswater City in yesterday’s PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues WA encounter at Dorrien Gardens on Sunday.

The win lifts Perth up to second with only two points separating them from leaders Inglewood who they face in Round 21 while all but ending Bayswater’s defence of the title.

Despite the win a delighted Ramon Falzon was quick to suppress expectations of his side.

“To be honest at this point and not to be rude I don’t care (about winning the league),” he said.

“The boys have always taken it game by game with the philosophy that the only standings that matter will be at the end of the league.

“From our side we’ve got Cockburn next week and we’ll just focus on Cockburn.”

After an initial feeling out period Bayswater settled the better of the two sides as Perth camped outside their penalty area with Gustavo Catarcione the focal point of their counter attacks.

Sudanese international Lawrence Shurama was a constant outlet for Bayswater with his pace an ever present threat but they failed to cause Nathan Diaz and Adrian Madaschi any real scares.

Nicholas Ambrogio had the first clear-cut chance of the match after direct and incisive running from Catarcione created space but Ambrogio’s finish was poor.

Perth should have taken the lead in the 32nd minute as David Stokoe failed to make contact with a clearance.

Catarcione capitalised on his error and raced through on goal only to be denied by an outstretched leg of Devon Spence.

Matthew Milenkovic created another great opportunity for Perth with a darting run past Andrew Reale but nobody could connect on his tempting cross.

Just before the break Shurama had a great chance to take the lead, David Heagney and Jason Mirco combined well to see Shurama’s run but Francis Soale was quick to smother his effort.

The second half started at a frantic pace with both sides coming agonisingly close to taking the lead.

Perth with Jordan De Leo failing to connect with Ambrogio’s teasing cross across the front of the keeper’s area and Mirco doing the same for Bayswater after Heagney drifted past his marker.

Bayswater survived a scare midway through the second half when Catarcione latched onto a long ball and touched past an advancing Spence 35m from goal.

But Catarcione could not manage to hold off Stokoe and shoot into an empty net.

Perth slowly grew into the game pressing Bayswater high up the field and Milenkovic took advantage of some errant passes.

The winger saw two shots narrowly rise over the bar after a cutting in from the right wing and found and Catarcione in the keepers’ area only for the striker to lose his footing as he attempted to shoot.

Catarcione’s footwear would let him down again, after a mazy run past two defenders led him into penalty area with only Spence in front of him, much to the dismay of the home faithful.

With the game looking to end in a frustrating draw Catarcione struck late.

Perth once again won the ball in a high press and after returning captain Clarke Keltie glided past his marker he found Catarcione’s run and the strikers’ finish sent the home fans into raptures.

Bayswater sprung back into life and laid siege on the Perth defence but the Perth defence stood firm to seal a famous win.

With his side’s title defence all but over Bayswater coach Chris Coyne was gracious in defeat and weary of his side cementing a place in the top four.

“The best team won on the day,” he said.

“They deserved it, they deserved to win they had the better chances but we gave it to them from mistakes and now my concern is not winning the league, it’s staying in the top four.

“Perth won everything, they were first to tackles, first to the second ball and you don’t win derby games unless you’re willing to fight for it so it’s disappointing.”

Perth SC 1 (Catarcione 87mins)
Bayswater City 0
Dorrien Gardens:
Sunday, August 7, 2016
Referee: Adam Fielding

Perth SC: 1. Francis SOALE, 4. Adrian MADASCHI, 7. Aleksander JOVIC, 6. Clark KELTIE, 2. David FILLIPPOU, 9. Gustavo CATARCIONE, 12. Jordan DE LEO, 11. Matthew MILENKOVIC, 5. Nathan DIAZ, 10. Nicholas AMBROGIO, 3. Alex SILLA (15. Harley ORR 82’)
Substitutes not used: 16. Thomas JEBB, 17. Francesco FURFARO, 23. Daniel PASSARELLI, 8. Anthony DANZE
Yellow cards: Nicholas Ambrogio 63’, Alex Silla 77’
Red cards: nil

Bayswater City: 1. Devon SPENCE, 5. Andrew REALE (22. Nathan COSTELLO 67’), 15. Brian FARRELL, 21. David HEAGNEY, 16. Jamie COYNE, 10. Jason MIRCO, 14. Lawrence SHURAMA (19. Alex SALMON 53’) , 8. Paul MCCARTHY (23. Andrija JUKIC 79’), 20. Samuel MITCHINSON, 13. Trent KAY, 24. David STOKOE,
Substitutes not used: 17. Luka NINKOVIC, 25. Fraser GREENWOOD
Yellow cards: Andrew Reale 61’,
Red cards: nil