Report by Tommy Doleman

Photo by FotoEnzo

Cockburn City staged a remarkable comeback to hold Perth Glory to a 3-3 draw on Saturday and leave the league leaders needing a point in their final match next week to be sure of winning the title.

John Gibson's side looked home and hosed after Michael Domfeh and Callum Timmins turned around a first-half deficit, then Domfeh added his second to make it 3-1.

But Glory, so often the masters of the late show, were given a taste of their own medicine as Cockburn scored twice in the final 13 minutes, including a Julian Teles equaliser in injury time, to give Perth SC a glimmer of hope of stealing the championship.

Cockburn even missed a penalty as they kept their alive their chances of a top-four finish, while Glory's youngsters must avoid defeat away at relegation-threatened Subiaco to guarantee the league.

Head coach John Gibson said his team could learn a lesson in closing out games after their uncharacteristic slip-up.

"Cockburn were desperate and we lost our way a bit, probably got a little excited and for the first time we probably showed a little bit of immaturity," he said.

"It was a great [penalty] save from Specs [Nicholas Speca], but we go again next week against Subiaco now.

"We dealt with the game okay, but we didn’t deal well some passages. We can't use immaturity or inexperience as an excuse; we have to be better at managing those parts of the game."

Cockburn's chances of finishing in the top four now depend on them beating Armadale at home and Bayswater or Inglewood dropping points in their final matches.

Cockerels coach Scott Miller said: "We are relying on other games to go our way now but I was rapt with the performance. I've really enjoyed the season and we will have a good crack next week against Armadale.

"We were 3-1 down and I said, 'gee, this a good game' to my assistant. We had more than enough chances and probably got a deserved draw at the end.

"I thought we were very good, especially after last week when Floreat gave us a touch up, so it was important to get a good performance. But also we didn’t want a team winning the league against us."

It was an entertaining spectacle for fans at Ashfield with plenty on the line for both sides, and it was Cockburn who made the breakthrough when Reuben Tristao's pass found Jesse Lazzaro and the winger fired past Speca at his near post.

Glory responded though in the lead-up to half-time and levelled through Domfeh when Bayley Brown-Mongomery crossed from the left and the striker side-footed in from close range.

Two minutes later they led, and in spectacular fashion, as Timmins struck a sensational free-kick from all of 30 yards beyond the reach of Luke Radonich and into the top corner.

Daniel Robinson and Ryan Pratt had chances for Cockerels but they went into the break probably feeling somewhat unlucky to trail 2-1.

Glory then put themselves in a strong position 14 minutes into the second half, as a combination of Domfeh and Cockburn defender Euen Grant turned the ball into the net from Ollie Annis' cross-shot.

But with the championship in their sights Glory had an unlikely wobble while Cockburn rallied. After flashing one effort just wide of the upright, Harry O'Brien got his goal in the 77th minute when he finished from Robinson's cross.

Cue a grandstand finish as Cockburn were awarded a penalty for Annis' last-ditch handball which resulted in the Glory captain receiving a red card. However Robinson was unable to capitalise from the spot and Speca's fine double save looked to have been enough to get his side over the line.

The visitors were not finished, though, and they got their reward two minutes into stoppage time when Teles rose highest to nod in Lazzaro's cross and ruin Glory's party.

With Glory two points and 14 goals better off than Perth SC heading into the final round, the destiny of the title still rests firmly in the hands of Gibson and his players. But with the Azzurri playing bottom of the table Joondalup United, then defeat for Glory against Subiaco could see the season end in heartbreak.

Perth Glory 3 (Domfeh 37min, 59, Timmins 39)
Cockburn 3 (Lazzaro 25min, O'Brien 77, Teles 90+2)
Saturday, August 18
Ashfield Reserve
Kick-off: 3pm
Referee: Steven Gregory
Assistant referees: Stuart Muldoon, Ammar Timour

Perth Glory: GK: Nicholas SPECA, 2. Nic MCDONALD, 3. Sam RIAK, 4. Jordan ABRAHAMS, 5. Ollie ANNIS, 6. Jack LEECH, 7. Trent OSTLER, 8. Callum TIMMINS, 9. Michael DOMFEH (13. Gomo DUKULY 86), 10. Michael MCDOUGALL, 11. Bayley BROWN-MONTGOMERY (14. Adias BUKURU 81)
Substitutes not used: RGK: Michael HODGSON, 12. Aiden EDWARDS, 15. Sasa NJEGIC
Yellow cards: Domfeh 75, Brown-Montgomery 77
Red cards: Annis 88

Cockburn City: GK: Luke RADONICH, 4. Euen GRANT, 6. Reuben TRISTAO, 8. Cameron EDWARDS (3. Daniel DOLS 64'), 9. Julian TELES, 10. David ARAYA, 11. Harry O'BRIEN, 12. Ryan PRATT, 15. Daniel SANTICH (7. Lucas MELLO 89'), 16. Daniel ROBINSON, 17. Jesse LAZZARO
Substitutes not used: RGK: Ryan BARKER, 13. Blake ADAMS, 20. David DOSANTOS
Yellow cards: Nil
Red cards: Nil

Perth Glory 3 (Domfeh 37min, 59, Timmins 39)
Cockburn 3 (Lazzaro 25min, O'Brien 77, Teles 90+2)