Report by Aidan Shaw

 

Joondalup United put a dent in Perth’s chase for successive champion titles after a goalless draw at Dorrien Gardens on Saturday.

The result means Perth will need to win their final two games and hope that Inglewood United and Bayswater City lose both of theirs to claim top spot.

Perth coach Ramon Falzon, who led the club to the league title last year, said he was disappointed his side didn’t take their chances on the day.

“The last two games we were very quick on the ball and penetrated several times. Today we just weren’t clinical enough,” he said.

“Credit to Joondalup, because I think they came here with a plan to defend and counter attack, and it worked for them.

“It’s very disappointing but we just need to react, get up, and try to win the next two games.”

Perth controlled the early stages of the match, but conceded a penalty in the 12th minute when Francis Soale was deemed to have brought down Josh Booysen in the area.

Anthony Taylor stepped up to the spot, but Soale made up for his error by denying him with a superb save diving to his left.

Visiting keeper James Bosdet made a great save to deny Lewis Milne from a free kick in the 21st minute with Andreas Theodosiades lifting his follow-up effort over the bar.

Minutes later, Harley Orr surged down the right and played the ball across goal to Gustavo Catarcione, whose faint touch missed the target narrowly.

Richard Howles squared to Booysen on 28 minutes, but his shot was blocked by the Perth defence with Soale in no mans land.

Both sides came close to scoring on the stroke of half time, but ultimately they entered the changing rooms all-square.

The second half saw both sides have chance after chance to grab the three points, with Joondalup defending deep and hitting Perth on the counter attack.

In the final minute of regular time, Niccolo Sabatini pounced on an attempted clearance from Bosdet and curled a shot towards goal, but the goalkeeper made up ground and denied him to the frustration of the home support.

Joondalup coach Nick Jennings said his side put in a great team performance, but felt they should have gotten more from the match.

“I’m disappointed we haven’t scored, because I felt we were the better team and we created so many opportunities but, yet again, we didn’t take them,” he said.

Despite being on a six game winless run, Jennings said his side would be looking to finish the season off strong with two wins.

“We try and win every game we play,” he said.

“We’ve got Floreat at home, we’ll try and win that, and Armadale away. We’ll be looking for two wins and to finish on a high.”

 

Perth SC 0

Joondalup United 0

Saturday, August 12, 2017

Dorrien Gardens

Kick-off: 3:00pm

Referee: Matthew Southern

Assistant Referees: Arvin Shanmuganathan, Frank Laval

Perth: GK Francis SOALE (c), 2. Alex SILLA, 3. Andreas THEODOSIADES (17. Frank FURFARO 63), 5. Niccolo SABATINI, 7. Aleks JOVIC (10. Nicholas AMBROGIO 86), 8. Tom KING, 9. Gustavo CATARCIONE, 12. Jordan DE LEO, 15. Harley ORR (21. Paul ZIMARINO 68), 16. Kieran COLWELL, 18. Lewis MILNE

Substitutes not used: RGK Daniel PASSARELLI, 13. Rocco PIZZATA

Yellow cards: Soale 12, Orr 42, Jovic 82

Red cards: nil

Joondalup United: GK James BOSDET, 4. Arran MAPLESTONE (c), 6. Guy MCDONALD, 7. Matthew SPARROW, 8. Josh WHITMORE, 9. Richard HOWLES (17. Luke SERRA 90+1), 11. Josh BOOYSEN (5. Joe STOCKER 80), 13. Chris PUGH, 15. Sam WYNNE, 16. Ross EDWARDS, 18. Anthony TAYLOR

Substitutes not used: RGK Jack NUNN, 2. Joel LEDSHAM, 24. Charlie BREEN

Yellow cards: Whitmore 11, Howles 25, Maplestone 89

Red cards: nil