Report by Tommy Doleman

Sorrento made it back-to-back wins at Stirling to advance to the preliminary final. Photo by Sorrento FC Facebook

Floreat Athena struck an injury-time winner for the second time in a week as the NPLWA - Men’s champions defeated Perth RedStar 2-1 to qualify for this Saturday’s Top Four Cup final.

Having won the league late on at Armadale, Vas Vujacic’s side fought until the end again in Saturday’s major semi-final, as Robert Petkov kept his composure in the penalty area to slot home a 13th goal of the campaign.

Athena now the meet the winner of Tuesday’s preliminary final between RedStar and Sorrento at Dorrien Gardens. Sorrento knocked out Stirling Macedonia 2-0 in their minor semi-final at Macedonia Park.

At E&D Litis Stadium, Phil Arnold’s header for Floreat was cleared by Riley Stephenson on 21 minutes, and barely 60 seconds later it was the visitors who hit the front.

Daryl Nicol continued his sensational season as the ball squirted out to him following a scramble in the six-yard area and the Scot making no mistake for a 31st league goal.

Floreat hit back 10 minutes later, though, as Bayley Brown-Montgomery backed up his dramatic title-clinching goal by scooting down the left finishing stylishly via the underside of the bar for 1-1.

Chok Dau stung the palms of Jason Saldaris before the break, while in the second half a header from Blair Govan was fielded by the Athena goalkeeper.

Brown-Montgomery headed Ludovic Boi’s free-kick at Stephenson soon after, but a twist in the tale would eventually come three minutes into added time.

RedStar had seen the title slip from their grasp the week before, and Petkov denied them a chance to advance here as he rounded the goalkeeper to score and give Athena a second last-ditch winner over the northerners this season.

RedStar now face in-form Sorrento, who knocked off Stirling in back-to-back games to make it four straight wins over top half opposition at the business end of the season.

Having lost to Perth Glory in last season’s semi-final at Percy Doyle Reserve, the Gulls bettered their 2021 campaign and extended their season by at least one more game.

Last week’s two-goal hero Gustavo Marulanda fired off an early warning shot, but it was Stirling who nearly led when Calvin Whitney’s shot was grasped before it crossed the goalline by Gulls keeper Patrick Hughes.

Unlike their last appearance here when they went behind, Sorrento took the lead on 20 minutes. Tim Hill’s corner was headed back across goal by Dean Cummings with Jordan Brown applying a finishing touch from close range.

Asher Nelson’s effort was cleared off the line by Ryan McLaughlin in the second half as Stirling cranked up the pressure with Sorrento’s rear-guard blocking several shots at goal.

James Bosdet saved from Scott Witschge in a bid to try and keep his side in the contest, but the winger had the final say as Sorrento got the sealer in stoppage time. Witschge applied pressure on the goalkeeper before curling in, despite a strong hand from Stirling’s stopper.

- Perth Glory are in the NPLWA - Men's U20s Top Four Cup final following their 3-1 major semi-final win over Perth SC at E&D Litis Stadium. The Azzurri now face Perth RedStar in the preliminary final after they beat Sorrento 3-1.

Glory are also through to the U18s final after a 4-2 victory over Perth SC, who get a second bite of the cherry against Bayswtaer City after their 1-0 defeat of Sorrento.