Perth strength in depth shines through
Report by Ryan Borrett
Photo by FotoEnzo
Perth SC are now six points clear at the top of the NPL WA table after defeating Armadale 3-1 at Dorrien Gardens on Saturday.
After building a two-goal lead with goals from Matthew Milenkovic and Michael Domfeh, the Azzurri went down to 10 men in the second half for the second week in a row after experienced midfielder Nicolo Sabatini was sent off in the 67th minute.
Armadale piled on the pressure aand managed to grab a goal back through substitute Adriano Jelenovic and pushed extra players forward.
But Perth SC held on and a late goal from Kristan Santich sealed the three points.
The league leaders were without regular starters Alex Silla, Rocco Pizzata and Gustavo Catarcione but the result and performance highlighted the champions’ strength in depth.
After a slow start from Perth, Milenkovic gave his side the lead in the 34th minute. Sabatini cut in from the left wing and picked out the open Milenkovic, who placed his shot in at the far post.
Perth doubled their advantage early in the second half after another great run and cross from Sabatini. This time he found Domfeh at the near post and his first time finish found the back of the net.
Despite getting two assists Sabatini received a red card from referee David Bruce for retaliation after being fouled.
Armadale sensed the opportunity to get back in the match and piled on the pressure. They were rewarded in the 71st minute as Michael Lawson cut back a pass to the unmarked Jelenovic who scored to make it 2-1.
But Armadale’s hopes of rescuing a draw were quashed in stoppage time. Santich won the ball back in Armadale’s half and ran through on goal before curling a low shot in around Armadale goalkeeper Sam Hutchings.
The result made it four defeats in a row for Armadale as their struggles this season continue.
They have a week off next Saturday while the Azzurri will hope to continue their undefeated start in the FFA Cup against Balga SC.
Star player: Kristan Santich (Perth SC)
Perth SC 3 (Milenkovic 34min, Domfeh 51, Santich 90+1)
Armadale 1 (Jelenovic 71)
Saturday, May 11, 2019
Dorrien Gardens
Kick-off: 3:00pm
Referee: David Bruce
Assistant referees: Thomas Robinson, Vetrivel Ravichandar
Perth SC: 3. Andreas THEODOSIADES (17. Frank FURFARO 71), 4. Thomas SOUTHGATE, 5. Nicolo SABATINI, 11. Matthew MILENKOVIC, 12. Jordan DE LEO, 14. Kristan SANTICH, 16. Kieran COLWELL, 18. Michael DOMFEH, 19. Bojan RADINOVIC, 20. Paul ZIMARINO
Substitutes not used: 1. Francis SOALE, 7. Aleksander JOVIC, 10. Luke GARAS, 15. Nicholas MESSINA
Yellow cards: Santich 71
Red cards: Sabatini 67
Armadale: 1. Sam HUTCHINGS, 2. Josh KUSER, 3. James HARAN, 4. Nathan COSTELLO, 6. Joel SANDERSON (12. Dannie RICHMAN 61), 7. Joshua CORTES, 8. Michael LAWSON (5. Ali NAZARY 78), 9. Billy QUINNCROFT, 13. Blake ADAMS, 19. Harry EVANS, 23. Friday ZICO (11. Adriano JELENOVIC 57)
Substitutes not used: 22. Ryan HASLETT, 34. Blake HANSHELL
Yellow cards: Cortes 43, Quinncroft 61, Jelenovic 67
Red cards: Nil
Azzurri go six points clear
Report by Ryan Borrett
Perth SC are now six points clear at the top of the NPLWA table after defeating Armadale 3-1 at Dorrien Gardens on Saturday.
After gaining a two goal lead with goals from Matthew Milenkovic and Michael Domfeh the Azzurri went down to 10 men in the second half for the second week in a row after experienced midfielder Nicolo Sabatini was sent off in the 67th minute.
Armadale piled on the pressure after Perth went a man down and managed to grab a goal back through substitute Adriano Jelenovic and pushed extra players forward.
But the Azzurri held on through the late surge and a late goal from Kristan Santich sealed the three points for the league leaders.
Perth SC were without regular starters Alex Silla, Rocco Pizzata and Gustavo Catarcione but the result and performance highlighted the champions’ strength in depth.
After a slow start from Perth, Milenkovic gave his side the lead in the 34th minute after Sabatini cut in from the left wing and picked out the open Milenkovic who placed his shot in at the far post.
Perth doubled their advantage early in the second half after another great run and cross from Sabatini found Domfeh at the near post who’s first time finish found the back of the net.
Despite getting two assists Sabatini saw red in the 67th minute after retaliating after being fouled and David Bruce showed him a red card.
Armadale sensed the opportunity to come back in the match and piled the pressure on which was rewarded in the 71st minute as Michael Lawson cut back a pass to the unmarked Jelenovic who scored to make it 2-1.
But Armadale’s hopes of rescuing a draw were quashed in stoppage time as Santich won the ball back in Armadale’s half and ran through on goal before curling a low shot in around Armadale goal keeper Sam Hutchings.
The loss for Armadale makes it four defeats in a row as their struggles this season continue. The Azzurri will hope to continue their undefeated start in the FFA cup against Balga Soccer Club.
Star player:Kristan Santich (Perth SC)
Perth SC 3 (Milenkovic 34min, Domfeh 51, Santich 90+1)
Armadale 1 (Jelenovic 71)
Saturday, May 11, 2019
Dorrien Gardens
Kick-off: 3:00pm
Referee: David Bruce
Assistant referees: Thomas Robinson, Vetrivel Ravichandar
Perth SC: 3. Andreas THEODOSIADES (17. Frank FURFARO 71), 4. Thomas SOUTHGATE, 5. Nicolo SABATINI, 11. Matthew MILENKOVIC, 12. Jordan DE LEO, 14. Kristan SANTICH, 16. Kieran COLWELL, 18. Michael DOMFEH, 19. Bojan RADINOVIC, 20. Paul ZIMARINO
Substitutes not used: 1. Francis SOALE, 7. Aleksander JOVIC, 10. Luke GARAS, 15. Nicholas MESSINA
Yellow cards: Santich 71
Red cards: Sabatini 67
Armadale: 1. Sam HUTCHINGS, 2. Josh KUSER, 3. James HARAN, 4. Nathan COSTELLO, 6. Joel SANDERSON (12. Dannie RICHMAN 61), 7. Joshua CORTES, 8. Michael LAWSON (5. Ali NAZARY 78), 9. Billy QUINNCROFT, 13. Blake ADAMS, 19. Harry EVANS, 23. Friday ZICO (11. Adriano JELENOVIC 57)
Substitutes not used: 22. Ryan HASLETT, 34. Blake HANSHELL
Yellow cards: Cortes 43, Quinncroft 61, Jelenovic 67
Red cards: Nil
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