Report by Peter Simcox

A brace from teenage striker Michael Domfeh has helped Armadale to an important 3-2 win against Perth Glory in Tuesday night’s PS4 National Premier Leagues WA Week 16 catch up game at Alfred Skeet Reserve.

The 17 year old, who was playing U18’s football for the club two months ago, opened the scoring with a bullet like header early before Ellis Healing doubled their lead from the spot on 20 minutes.

Glory hit back in the second half with a double from Nikola Talimdzioski and it looked like the visitors would go on to take all three points but Domfeh had other ideas, scoring the winner ten minutes from time.

Domfeh said it was a huge win and it takes them closer to safety.

“Tonight was a big game for the club we’re fighting relegation so it was good to score a couple of goals and get the job done,” he said. “We still have three games to go but we are in a good position now.

“It’s been a good month for me, I was given the opportunity to move in to the first team squad and I’ve worked really hard on my game. With the help of the coaches, I think I’ve improved my game and I’ve fitted in well.”

Armadale coach Paul Price said Domfeh has been good since coming into the side and he hopes it continues as they fight for survival.

“Michael only came in six weeks ago from the under 18’s and has scored five goals for us,” he said. “And tonight we was great and could have scored a hat-trick.

“We’re delighted with the victory tonight, it takes us five points clear of Subiaco and ahead of the Glory. We now no it’s in our hands, we still have three big games to go so we still need to stay focused.”

Price said their performances haven’t been rewarded in recent games but he thought tonight they did.

“We knew fitness levels would tell in the second half and at 2-2 they looked like they would go on and win it. But we made a couple of changes and we managed to get the winner,” he said.

“We’ve been playing well for the last ten games and haven’t had the rub of the green but tonight we fought for everything and got our just rewards.”

With only two points separating them at kick off it was vital game for both sides but it was Armadale who opened the brighter.

Domfeh’s long-range shot flew wide before Anthony Skorich headed over moments later.

But on 11 minutes their dominance was rewarded with the lead. A cross from the right by Jesse Fuller was headed home powerfully by Domfeh from 8m.
 
Armadale were hungry for the ball and continued to dominate, and nine minutes later they added a second.

Healing fell under a challenge from Calvin Whitney and after a little hesitation referee Tom Dowle pointed to the spot. Healing picked himself up to score from the resulting penalty.

Glory needed a lift, and they hit back, but Talimdzioski’s long-range shot was straight at Alec Radonich.

On the half hour they went even closer; Whitney’s clever chip sent Sam McKearnan in on goal but the striker’s shot crashed off the crossbar.

McKearnan went close again moments later, this time side footing wide after good approach work by Ross Millard on the left.

Armadale were under pressure but Glory couldn’t find a way past a tight defence and on the stroke of half time Armadale went close to a third.

A long clearance sent Domfeh clear, his shot beat keeper Riley Stephenson but the ball agonizingly hit the post and bounced away to safety.

Glory were more competitive after the break with Mitch Oxborrow bossing the middle of the park and they were back in the game on 66 minutes. Oxborrow’s free kick was turned home by Talimdzioski.

Talimdzioski was at it again six minutes later. The young striker rose to head past Radonich from Millard’s cross, his eighth goal of the season, and Glory had turned it around.

It was one-way traffic as Glory went in search of the winner. Kosta Petratos’ shot was well saved by Radonich before the Armadale custodian again denied Oxborrow.

But against the run of play Armadale won it. A long clearance wasn’t dealt with by the Glory defence and Domfeh raced clear, beating Stephenson to the ball and rolling it an empty net.

The win leapfrogged Armadale over Glory on the PS4NPLWA table and it sets up an intriguing last three weeks of the season, with three sides battling it out to stay in the league.

In the next round Armadale make the trip to Percy Doyle Reserve to take on Sorrento, while the Glory youngsters host Floreat Athena at Ashfield Arena.

Perth Glory 2 (Talimdzioski 66 Mins, 72’)
Armadale 3 (Domfeh 11 Mins, 80’, Healing 20’ pen)
Tuesday August 9th 2016
Alfred Skeet Reserve
Referee: Tom Dowle
Assistants: Nico Hoyle, Arvin Shanmuganathan

Armadale: GK Alec RADONICH, 2 Alex CASTIELLO, 3 Jake SARDELIC, 4 Jesse FULLER (C), 6. Michael DOMFEH, 10 Anthony SKORICH (5 David ANNALL 81’), 12 Dannie RICHMAN (9 Darren FRANCIS 70’), 13 Jackson BEALEY, 14 Dylan WHITE, 11 Ellis HEALING, 15 Nathan SMITH
Subs not used: RGK Michael CRAGGS, 8 Ismael BANGURA
Yellow cards: Bealey 79’

Perth Glory: GK Riley STEPHENSON, 2 Jackson MORGAN, 3 Jack IREDALE (4 Scott ROBERTSON 46’), 5 Ross MILLARD, 6 Cal WHITNEY, 8 Mitch OXBORROW (C), 9 Kosta PETRATOS, 10 Sam MCKEARNAN (15 Yacoub MUSTAFA 57’) (13 Dejan SPASESKI 86’), 11 Daniel STYNES, 12 Luke BODNAR, 14 Nikola TALIMDZIOSKI
Subs not used: 15 Sean TROUP, 20 Stef KING
Yellow cards: Whitney 19’, Oxborrow 53’