Report by Ryan Borrett

Photo by Fotoenzo

Balcatta pulled off a shock 1-0 win over Perth SC at Dorrien Gardens on Saturday as the Azzurri lost their first match since Round One and top spot in the league.

Calum O'Connell's goal on 65 minutes gave Balcatta the points in a tight derby and made it four straight wins for Goran Stajic's side.

“I’m very happy for the boys and they worked really hard,” Stajic said.

“You can’t take much away from Perth; it was just that one moment that cost them and we took it. I think the result was deserved.”

That decisive moment came when Balcatta midfielder Jonathan Corness made a darting run into the Perth box. Home goalkeeper Daniel Passarelli came out quickly to block but the ball was deflected back towards his own goal and O’Connell just managed to get his shot over the line as the Azzurri defenders closed in.

Perth had beaten big rivals Bayswater City last week but they struggled to impose themselves against Balcatta’s solid defence.

They could have taken the lead halfway through the first half but Nicholas Ambrogio’s powerful effort from outside the box was saved brilliantly by Balcatta keeper Domenico Savoldelli.

Early in the second half Perth striker Gustavo Catarcione had a great chance but he sent his shot wide from close range.

After falling behind the Azzurri piled men forward to try and find an equalising goal. But Balcatta’s rearguard held firm, with Savoldelli making another great save in the third minute of stoppage from Perth SC substitute Richard Howles’ header to ensure his side sealed the points.

“That’s our first clean sheet of the year,” Stajic added.

"I can’t name any names, it was the whole defence who worked today.”

Perth SC 0
Balcatta 1 (O’Connell 65min)
Saturday, April 21
Dorrien Gardens
Kick-off: 3pm
Referee: Stuart Muldoon
Assistant referees: Thomas Robinson, Sailota Phiri

Perth SC: 3. Andreas THEODOSIADES (14. Kristan SANTICH 81), 4. Adrian MADASCHI, 5. Niccolo SABATINI, 6. Harley ORR, 7. Aleksander JOVIC (20. Paul ZIMARINO 63), 9. Gustavo CATARCIONE, 10. Nicholas AMBROGIO (18. Richard HOWLES 71), 11. Matthew MILENKOVIC, 12. Jordan DE LEO, 16. Kieran COLWELL, 23. Daniel PASSARELLI
Substitutes not used: 2. Alex SILLA, 23. Malak KUC
Yellow cards: Colwell 76
Red cards: Nil

Balcatta: 1. Domenico SAVOLDELLI, 2. Joseph MARINO, 3. Hayden STEVENS, 4. Calum O’CONNELL, 5. TOM PELLIZZARI, 6. Kris GATE (9. Dejan ANDRIC 65), 8. Carmelo GIUFFRE, 10. Jonathan CORNESS, 15. Adriano JELENOVIC (12. Anton DE FRANCESCH 71), 17. Brody KENNEDY (23. Lawrence SHURAMA 52), 20. Shubbham MOKALA
Substitutes not used: 19. Nick CHALLOT, 25. Kyle MCDONALD
Yellow cards: De Francesch 72, Andric 90+1, Mokala 90+2
Red cards: Nil