Report by Tristan Wheeler

Photo by Peter Simcox

A last-minute equaliser by David Perich snatched a point for Subiaco in an entertaining clash against Armadale at Alfred Skeet Reserve on Saturday.

Armadale might have thought they had done enough after David Annall’s free-kick five minutes from time evaded everyone and found its way into the net to give the home side the lead.

But with the entire Subiaco team inside the Armadale box, a long throw-in found its way on to the head of Perich, who flicked the ball into the net to give Subiaco a 2-2 draw.

Despite the late setback, Armadale coach John O’Reilly didn’t begrudge the visitors a point. “I think given the way the game played from start to finish a draw was a fair result,” he said.

A tight first half saw Armadale’s Chris Jackson header go close on 34 minutes, while teammate Billy Quinncroft had the best opportunity before the break when his dipping drive was parried away by Ryan Montgomery.

But the game sparked into life in the second half and it was Armadale who struck first on 56 minutes as impressive captain Nathan Costello popped up at the near post to head in a corner.

That goal was cancelled out five minutes later by Subiaco’s Asher Nelson. He was played through and kept his composure to finish past Sam Hutchings.

Both sides kept looking to attack and Steve Purton nearly gave Subiaco the lead he but smashed his shot into Quincroft.

Nine minutes from the end Annall was introduced for Michael Lawson and the move paid dividends four minutes later when his free-kick found its way into the back of the net.

But Subiaco weren’t done yet and heading into injury time Perich popped up with a timely header to salvage a draw.

Subiaco coach Ian McMurray said: “I’m really happy with the character of the boys, they’ve not had the luck as of late. When we went a goal down it would be easy to roll over and take it."

Armadale 2 (Costello 56min, Annall 85)
Subiaco 2 (Nelson 61, Perich 90)
Saturday, April 21
Alfred Skeet Reserve
Kick-off: 3pm
Referee: Anthony Walsh
Assistant referees: Thomas Ashton, Callum Haddow

Armadale: 1. Sam HUTCHINGS (gk), 2. Joshua KUSER, 4. Nathan COSTELLO (c ), 7. Charlie KENNA, 8. Michael LAWSON (5.David Annall 81), 9. Billy QUINNCROFT, 10. Chris JACKSON, 11. Michael RIZIDIS, 15. Ali GHOLAMI, 17.James ATKINS (3. Delan De Silva 68), 21. Beau RAHIM 
Substitutes not used: 34. Duncan LENNON-BLACK, 16. Brad GRIEPL, 14. Luke TESTER
Yellow cards: Jackson 25
Red cards: Nil

Subiaco: 1. Ryan MONTGOMERY, 5. Manase ABANDELWA, 6. Jackson DONGRAY, 10. Asher NELSON (4. Jack Andrews 73), 12. Nathan SMITH, 13. Jonas DORLING (14. Ross JARMAN 62), 16. Steve PURTON, 17.Alex Castiello, 18. David PERICH, 19. Ian MCMURRAY
Substitutes not used: 21. Josiah GODFREY, 4. Robery HARDING, 15. Albert LUWI
Yellow cards: Nil
Red cards: Nil