Report by Peter Simcox

Photo by Fotoenzo

Floreat Athena have moved back to top of the PS4 National Premier Leagues WA ladder with a 3-2 victory over Perth SC at E&D Litis Stadium.

The win also earned Floreat the City of Vincent Cup, created by the clubs in recognition of their local rivalry.

Floreat led at half-time with an Adrian Madaschi own goal, but Perth hit back with Niccolo Sabatini and Frank Furfaro on target.

The Azzurri couldn’t hold on as goals to Floreat’s Kris Gate and Dean Evans in the last 10 minutes of play undid the away side.

Floreat coach Glen Grostate praised his team’s efforts.

“I thought we were good in the first half. We moved the ball well, did everything right and came out second half, but we looked hesitant and they hit back,” he said.
 
“But from then on the character of this side shone. I love these guys, they hate to lose, and the changing rooms have been buzzing all week.
 
“We knew what it meant and they battled right to the end, like they have all season and got their reward.”  
 
Evans, who was playing against his former club, said it was a hard fought win and was delighted to get on the scoreboard.
 
“Things weren’t going our way in the second half and they were on top of us, but again we managed to dig ourselves out of a hole,” he explained.
 
“We’ve been in that position before this season, but it was great character from the boys and a great result for the club.
 
“We never stopped fighting. We knew the chances would come and they did thankfully and I was happy score the winner today.”
 
Both sides were level on points going into the game, but it was Floreat who opened the scoring as Evans’ long-range shot took a deflection off Perth skipper Madaschi and hit the back of the net.
 
Perth lifted after the break and Floreat keeper Jason Saldaris had to be alert to deny Sabatini, but the keeper gave Perth a helping hand with the equaliser on 55 minutes.
 
Gustavo Catarcione raced into the box and Saldaris spilled his shot with Sabbatini firing home the loose ball.
 
The visitors hit the front on the hour mark when Furfaro found space in the penalty area to finish low past Saldaris.   
 
Perth should have put the game to bed, but Tom King’s shot was well saved by the keeper, before Aleks Jovic blazed wide.
 
Floreat took advantage and levelled ten minutes later when Evans’ free-kick was turned home by Gate.
 
Floreat were given a penalty in the 85th minute as Evans went down inside the area who converted from the spot to win the match 3-2.

Floreat Athena 3 (OG 29min, Gate 83, Evans 86)
Perth SC 2 (Sabatini 55, Furfaro 60)
Sunday June 11, 2017
E&D Litis Stadium
Kick-off: 3:00pm
Referee: Steven Gregory
Assistant Referee: Michal Jasinski, Daniel Cole
 
Floreat Athena: GK: Jason SALDARIS, 3 Clayton ARNEZ (18 Phil ARNOLD 81’), 6 Jesse FULLER, 8 Jon STYNES, 10 Kris GATE, 12 Jackson MORGAN, 13 Zelfy NAZARY, 14 Ludovic BOI, 15 Chris SALDARIS, 16 Juma AWAKA, 17 Dean EVANS (c)
Substitutes not used: RGK Jordan BARBAS, 4 Andrew SCALDAFERRO, 9 Edin NILAC, 20 Joe TWEATS
Yellow Cards: Evans 58, Nazary 90
Red Cards: nil

Perth SC: GK Francis SOALE, 2 Alex SILLA, 4 Adrian MADASCHI (c), 5 Niccolo SABATINI, 7 Aleks JOVIC, 8 Tom KING, 9 Gustavo CATARCIONE, 12 Jordan DE LEO, 13 Rocco PIZZATA, 15 Harley ORR, 17 Frank FURFARO
Substitutes not used: RGK Daniel PASSARELLI, 16 Kieran COLWELL, 18 Elliott TATTERSALL 19 Roberto DEL BORELLO, 21 Paul ZIMARINO
Yellow Cards: Madaschi 86, King 93
Red Cards: nil