Report by Kelechi Osunwa

Photo by FotoEnzo

Leaders Perth SC left it late to snatch a 2-1 victory over a spirited Cockburn side in Saturday’s National Premier Leagues WA fixture at Dorrien Gardens.

The home side had to do it the hard way, trailing with 20 minutes to go.

But once again Ramon Falzon's side found a way. And with both Perth Glory and Floreat Athena slipping to defeat, the Azzurri now have an eight-point advantage at the top of the table.

Daniel Robinson and Hasani Sinclair looked dangerous for the visitors up front but it was keeper Luke Radonich who kept Cockburn in the match for so long.

Radonich saved from point-blank range to keep out Thomas Southgate’s header and then tipped Kristian Santich’s effort over the bar.

Cockburn broke the deadlock when Ryan Platt danced past his marker and found Sinclair who headed home.

Perth's unbeaten start to the season was under threat but they toiled and found an equaliser through a Hayden Stevens own goal as the defender snatched at a clearance.

Both sides went close to taking the lead, first when Gustavo Catarcione streaked through on goal but he couldn’t find Michael Domfeh with the cut back.

Cockburn almost scored moments later after Platt beat Perth’s high line but the winger was unable to pick out Sinclair with the goal at his mercy.

With a draw on the cards Perth struck when Michael Milenkovic, who had been denied by Radonich moments earlier, latched on to Domfeh’s flick on to finish from the tightest of angles.

Star player: Luke Radonich (Cockburn City)

Perth SC 2 Stevens og 70min, Milenkovic 89
Cockburn City 1 Sinclair 54

Saturday, May 25
Dorrien Gardens, Perth
Kick-off: 3pm
Referee: Joshua Manella,
Assistant referees: Adrien Liechti, Liam Barclay

Perth SC: 23. Dejan ALEKSIC, 15. Thomas SOUTHGATE, 7. Aleksander JOVIC (3. Andreas THEODOSIADES 66) , 9. Gustavo CATARCIONE 11. Matthew MILENKOVIC, 12. Jordan DE LEO, 13. Rocco PIZZATA, 14. Kristan SANTICH, 18. Michael DOMFEH, 19. Bojan RADINOVIC, 20. Paul ZIMARINO
Substitutes not used: 1. Francis SOALE, 17. Frank FURFARO, 10. Luke GARAS, 16. Kieran COLWELL
Yellow cards: Nil
Red cards: Nil

Cockburn City: 1. Luke RADONICH, 5. Julian TELES, 6. Ruben TRISTAO, 8. Cameron EDWARDS (10. David ARAYA 44), 12. Ryan PRATT , 14. Hayden STEVENS, 15. Daniel SANTICH, 16. Daniel ROBINSON (18. Adam ANFUSO 66), 19. Hasani SINCLAIR, 23. Riley WOODCOCK, 21. Jesse LAZZARO (3. Daniel DOLS 74)
Unused substitutes: 2. Christopher THACKRA , 40 Ben RADONICH
Yellow cards: Robinson 48, Tristao 61
Red cards: Nil