Report by Peter Simcox

Photo by Peter Simcox

A brace from Niccolo Sabatini has helped Perth SC to a hard fought 3-2 win against ECU Joondalup in round 13 of the PS4 NPLWA at the ECU Joondalup Football Stadium on Saturday.
 
The Italian winger gave the visitors the lead midway through the first half, but the home side hit back after the break with Tommy Amphlett and Daryl Nicol on target.

Gustavo Catarcione levelled with 20 minutes remaining as Sabatini scored a late winner.
 
Sabatini said they had to work hard for the points but deserved them as the younger players continue to find their feet.
 
“Gustavo and I are experienced players yes, but we have some good young players, and we ask them to do the running for us,” he joked.
 
“We do have some talented young players, who are gelling very well, and if they listen to the coach and listen to the captain, they can improve a lot and will be the future of this club.”  
 
Perth coach Ramon Falzon said it showed the character in his side to fight back to take the points and praised his two front men.
 
“I thought Niccolo and Gustavo were great for us today, they are very experienced players, and both dangerous in and around the penalty area. They know how to score goals, and know how to create space for themselves, it’s not a surprise they are our top goal scorers.”  
 
It was the home side who dominated early but Perth who found the back of the net first.
 
Catarcione picked the ball up on the right, and raced across the edge of the penalty area, evading a number of tackles, before poking the ball through to Sabatini who finished from six meters.
 
They went close to a second five minutes later, Sabatini’s corner wasn’t dealt with and Frank Furfaro’s shot deflected inches wide of the target.
 
The home side made the perfect start to second half and went level early on.

Amphlett’s long range effort from 20 meters took a slight deflection, sending the ball into the top corner of the net.
 
Nine minutes later ECU took the lead. Smith played Amphlett down the right and his low cross from the bye line was turned home by Nicol.

The visitors levelled in the 71st minute when Sabatini dinked the ball over the last defender to Catarcione who scored with a tidy finish.
 
It was end-to-end football with both sides going close to the lead.

First Nicol’s long-range shot went tantalisingly close, tipped onto the crossbar by Passarelli, before Greenwood saved low from Catarcione.
 
It looked like the points would be shared, but on 85 minutes Perth won it. A ball into the box by substitute Aleks Jovic found Sabatini, who drove the ball home to give Perth an entertaining 3-2 win.       
 
ECU Joondalup 2 (Amphlett 48min, Nicol 57)
Perth SC 3 (Sabatini 22min, 85, Catarcione 71)
Saturday May 13, 2017
ECU Joondalup Football Stadium
Kick-off: 3:00pm
Referee: Josh Mannella
Assistant referees: Stephen Knight, Mark Watkins

ECU Joondalup: GK Fraser GREENWOOD, 3 Ross MILLARD (4 Ryan MCDARBY 85), 5 Logan MCISAAC, 6 Ben JOHNS, 7 Kevin MOON, 9 Daryl NICOL, 10 Gordon SMITH (C), 11 Sam POLLARD, 13 Tommy AMPHLETT (15 Keylun POLLARD 62), 14 James OWEN (8 Declan HUGHES 77), 18 Cian HIRRELL
Substitutes not used: RGK Todd HOYLE, 12 Fraser GARNAUT
Yellow Cards: Johns 9, Amphlett 35
Red Cards: nil

Perth SC: GK Daniel PASSARELLI, 4 Adrian MADASCHI (C), 5 Niccolo SABATINI, 8 Tom KING, 9 Gustavo CATARCIONE, 10 Nicholas AMBROGIO (7 Aleks JOVIC 68), 12 Jordan DE LEO, 13 Rocco PIZZATA, 15 Harley ORR, 17 Frank FURFARO, 21 Paul ZIMARINO
Substitutes not used: RGK Malek KUC, 2 Alex SILLA, 11 Matthew MILENKOVIC 19 Roberto DEL BORRELLO
Yellow Cards: Orr 1, De Leo 35, Madaschi 57, Furfaro 76, Sabatini 90
Red Cards: nil