Report by Aisling Lawless
 
Ten-man Joondalup United gained revenge from their midweek Westfield FFA Cup loss to Perth SC with a come-from-behind 3-2 league win at Percy Doyle Reserve on Saturday night.

Coach Nick Jennings said it demonstrated great character to come back from two goals down and a man short to win a tough encounter.

“We are a small club in a new league, so character is important to us but I also think we have a lot of quality," Jennings said.

"The depth of our squad is fantastic, they are not well known players in WA, but they all work hard, hold their own and they have good skills.

"Some people expected us to get found out against the better teams, but I actually think we play better against the top teams and raise our game."
 
Harley Orr opened the scoring in the 16th minute with a moment of brilliance, lobbing the keeper from way outside the penalty area.

Three minutes later Nicholas Ambrogio doubled their lead, latching onto a rebound from Niccolo Sabatini’s attempt.

Just before half time substitute Mike Kenny kept Joondalup in the game with a well-timed volley catching keeper Francis Soale off his line.
    
In a blow for the home side, they were reduced to 10 men in the 69th minute when Ross Edwards was sent off for his second yellow card.

Joondalup showed no signs of dampened spirits as Alex Wild equalised in the 73rd minute, knocking in a rebound from close range.

Two minutes later Arran Maplestone’s stunning free-kick curled in at the near post, putting Joondalup in front.

Perth's frustration showed as they were reduced to nine men within three minutes as Rocco Pizzata and Orr received second yellow cards and were sent off.

It was a tense ending for both teams as each had attempts denied by the woodwork.

First Richard Howles hit a post for Joondalup before Perth’s Gustavo Catarcione smashed the crossbar from outside the area.

Perth coach Ramon Falzon said his side started well but lost concentration after hitting the lead.

"We were sitting a bit too comfortably with a 2-0 lead and I never expected to lose 3-2 finishing off the game with nine men," he said.

"We conceded at the worst time possible, just before half time, and they took encouragement from this, and came back in the second half firing.

"Once a player drops his concentration you can't get it back, so it was entirely our fault."
 
Joondalup United 3 (Kenny 45+1min, Wild 73, Maplestone 75)
Perth SC 2 (Orr 16min, Ambrogio 20)
Saturday, April 29, 2017
Percy Doyle Reserve
Kick-off: 7:00pm
Referee:  Adam Fielding
Assistant Referees: Shuo Chen, Liviu Katona
 
Joondalup United: GK. Jack NUNN, 3. Rowdy YATES, 4. Arran MAPLESTONE (c), 5. Joe STOCKER, 6. Guy McDONALD (19. Mike KENNY 31), 8. Josh WHITMORE, 9. Richard HOWLES, 10. Alex WILD (20. Robert TARPEY 90), 13. Chris PUGH, 16. Ross EDWARDS, 23. James MARSDEN (2. Joel LEDSHAM 46)
Substitutes not used: 22. Nicholas KOEFLER, 99. Conal POWER
Yellow Cards: Wild 13, Edwards 36 + 69, Marsden 44, Whitmore 45+2
Red Cards: Edwards 69

Perth SC: GK. Francis SOALE, 2. Alex SILLA, 4. Adrian MADASCHI (c), 5. Niccolo SABATINI, 9. Gustavo CATARCIONE, 10. Nicholas AMBROGIO (8. Tom KING 66), 11. Matthew MILENKOVIC (17. Frank FURFARO 73), 12. Jordan DE LEO, 13. Rocco PIZZATA, 15. Harley ORR, 21. Paul ZIMARINO
Substitutes not used: RGK. Daniel PASSARELLI, 14. Cameron TEECE, 22. Anthony TOPINI.
Yellow Cards: Sabatini 18, Orr 40, 81, Silla 61, Pizzata 71, 78
Red Cards: Pizzata 78, Orr 81