Report by Navrin Secker

Photo by Jonny Warrington

Perth SC moved up to second place in the National Premier Leagues WA after a double from Paul Zimarino secured a 2-0 victory over Bayswater City at Dorrien Gardens on Sunday afternoon.

The result was enough for the Azzurri to close to within four points of leaders Perth Glory as they leapfrogged Baysie and Cockburn City, who drew 1-1 at home to Forrestfield United on Saturday.

But for Bayswater it meant a fifth straight defeat and their chances of retaining the title are becoming less likely by the week.

Perth coach Ramon Falzon, whose side are unbeaten in seven matches, said: “We have been talking for the last two months that we need to start climbing (the ladder) and keep fighting until the end.

“We have been working hard to win our games, hoping that others drop points as well, so that we can hopefully jump into second place.

“Today’s win brings us to second place, four points behind Perth Glory, so game on for the remaining five games.”

The home side, sporting a commemorative heritage kit as part of their 70th anniversary, were the dominant side early in the match.

The difficult and changing weather conditions had an obvious effect on the contest, with both sides playing conservatively.

Bayswater had the first clear chance of the match when Luka Ninkovich ran on to a bouncing ball in behind the defence but his lobbed attempt was easily gathered by the goalkeeper.

The visitors had another chance soon after, this time when a brilliant corner from Todd Howarth found David Stokoe but his volley flashed wide of the post.

But having failed to take their chances Bayswater then found themselves behind. A great tackle from Tom King allowed Kristan Santich to drive through the centre of the park and he played a lovely ball from the right which Zimarino flicked past keeper keeper Dejan Aleksic.

Perth nearly doubled their advantage late in the half after some brilliant skill from Gustavo Catarcione allowed him to shoot, but his left-footed effort cannoned back off the post.

Despite going into the break 1-0 down, Bayswater would have been buoyed by the fact they had wind in the second half. Sadly for the visitors they soon found gthemselves further behind.

Frank Farfaro played the ball into Zimarino from the right wing and his shot went through the defender’s legs and past Aleksic.

Bayswater looked to find a foothold in the match but tempers flared after Ninkovich attempted a wild tackle on Santich. Then three minutes the visitors' frustration told when they had Jason Mirco sent off for lashing out.

Bayswater coach Chris Coyne lamented his side's ongoing struggles in front of goal.

“I think us as a team in the final third haven’t had enough composure, the final ball has been poor, touches have been poor,” he said.

“We’ll keep working hard, it’s great that we had a few 16 and 17-year-olds on the pitch today and they did well.”

Perth SC 2 (Zimarino 33min, 48)
Bayswater City 0
Dorrien Gardens
Sunday, July 22
Kick-off: 3pm
Referee: Steven Gregory
Assistant referees: Matthew Southern, Joshua Nixon

Perth SC: 1. Francis SOALE, 2. Alex SILLA, 6. Harley ORR, 8. Tom KING, 9. Gustavo CATARCIONE (10. Nicholas AMBROGIO 90), 11. Matthew MILENKOVIC, 12. Jordan DE LEO, 13. Rocco PIZZATA, 14. Kristan SANTICH, 17. Frank FURFARO, 20. Paul ZIMARINO
Unused substitutes: 5. Niccolo SABATINI, 19 Ali NAZARY, 21. Adam ZIMARINO, 23. Malek KUC
Yellow cards: King 58, Pizzata 70, Catarcione 84
Red cards: Nil

Bayswater City: 4. Arran MAPLESTONE (20. Giordano COLLI 55), 6. Todd HOWARTH, 8. Paul McCARTHY (13. Trent KAY 87), 10. Jason MIRCO, 12. David STOKEO, 17. Gian ALBANO, 19. Luka NINKOVIC, 22. Luke SALMON (29. Julian ALTIERI 83), 24. Jake SARDELIC, 25. Dejan ALEKSIC, 26. Paul LLOYD
Unused substitutes: 18. Brent GRIFFITHS, 25. Luke HUTCHINSON
Yellow cards: Ninkovic 82, McCarthy 85, Altieri 89
Red cards: Mirco 90+3