Top Four Cup: Perth, Floreat bid for final berth

Football West News

Perth SC head coach Ramon Falzon is hoping history repeats itself when his team face Floreat Athena in the Top Four Cup Preliminary Final at Dorrien Gardens on Tuesday night.

The NPL WA champions were forced into this midweek clash after going down 3-1 at home to Inglewood United on the weekend.

Late goals from Brian Farrell and Steve Sokol sent Inglewood straight to the final, which they will host this Saturday, while Perth must lift again if they are to repeat their 2018 league and cup double.

"We like to do things the hard way," Falzon said.

"It was the same last year when we lost our semi-final on penalties to Perth Glory and then beat Cockburn City in the midweek. Hopefully history will repeat itself."

This was a second straight loss for Perth, who tied up the league title with a fortnight of the campaign remaining. Falzon denied his players had lost their edge.

"It's human nature that when the pressure eases off you relax a bit but the intensity was still good. We created good chances, we just didn't score," Falzon said.

Home advantage could be a factor for Perth but Floreat head coach Garrett McDulling said his side were also looking forward to playing at Dorrien Gardens after coming through a battle at E&D Litis on Saturday, defeating Balcatta 3-2.

"We'll be on a good paddock and we've got players who can play. The likes of Dean Evans and Ludovic Boi, they need a good pitch to play football and, being honest, ours isn't the best at the moment," he said.

"But this has the making of a cracking game, two good teams and a final at stake."

Finals are something Floreat have become accustomed to this year. They won the Night Series in March and lifted the Belt Up Cup in July.

"Last week was our 38th game of the season in a row, we've not had a week off," McDuling said.

"There was the Night Series, the cup final, the FFA Cup and the league. It's great but it can take its toll - for a bunch of semi-pro guys they are doing very well."

Tuesday night's match will be preceded by the U20 Top Four Cup Preliminary Final between Perth SC and Cockburn City. Both will be livestreamed on the Football West Facebook and YouTube pages.

"It will be a good experience for the young players to play in front of a large crowd," Falzon said.

Meanwhile, the U18 Top Four Cup Preliminary Final between Stirling Lions and Perth Glory takes place at Macedonia Park on Tuesday.

Fixtures

Tuesday, September 10

Top Four Cup Preliminary Finals

Dorrien Gardens

U20 Top Four Cup
Perth SC v Cockburn City (6pm - livestream)

Top Four Cup
Perth SC v Floreat Athena (8pm - livestream)

Macedonia Park

U18 Top Four Cup
Stirling Lions v Perth Glory (7.30pm)
 



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