Azzurri claim last finals spot

Riound-up by Tommy Doleman

Perth SC's Nick Mcdonald looks to close down Glory's Giordano Colli (10) as Charlie Leech looks on. Photo by Tom McCarthy

Perth Soccer Club confirmed their place in yet another end of season cup despite letting a two-goal lead slip at Perth Glory.

The equation was simple for the Azzurri - three points would lock away their post-season spot as the highest finisher in the bottom six, while a draw was still likely to be enough.

Glory needed three points themselves to stand a chance of qualifying and they came close early doors when Bryce Bafford rattled the upright after driving into the area.

The youngsters were then gifted an opportunity to take the lead from the penalty spot when Joshua Rawlins was fouled, but Giordano Colli placed his kick wide and gave the visitors a reprieve.

Ryan Montgomery was called into action moments later from Chris Donnell's shot, but Glory would pay for their profligacy when Perth struck twice before the interval.

Skipper Jordan De Leo stabbed home the opener from close range after a twice-deflected Yagoub Mustata cross, before Mustafa turned goalscorer when lashing into the far corner against his former side.

It appeared Perth would have a straightforward afternoon at that point, but Glory have made great strides under new A-League coach Richard Garcia this season and they hit back in the second half.

Bafford netted from close range on 56 minutes before Montgomery denied the forward with a stunning one-handed block. That only delayed the inevitable as Bafford did what Colli couldn't and scored from the spot to make it 2-2 with 15 minutes to play.

The point was enough for Perth as it turned out and the 2019 Top Four Cup winners now turn their attention to a midweek semi-final away at newly-crowned league champions ECU Joondalup.

In the remaining lower-table fixtures, Jason Mirco scored twice in the second half for Bayswater as they earned a 2-1 win away at Inglewood United.

The hosts harboured slim hopes of qualifying for the finals with a win and Anthony Bafobusha sounded an early warning from long range.

Gordon Smith had Bayswater's best chance of the opening stages when he volleyed over from close range before the hosts went a goal up after 18 minutes.

Chad Samuels saw his initial shot saved by Jackson Lee but Steve Sokol was following up to score his sixth goal in four games.

Bayswater's best chance to hit back before the break came when Daryl Nicol's shot was cleared off the line, but last year's Top Four Cup finalists headed into the interval one-up.

Declan Hughes smacked the crossbar from distance as the visitors aimed to finish their season on a high, despite Chris Coyne's side being out of finals contention prior to kick off.

That equaliser came moments later as Todd Howarth's free kick was brilliantly saved by Alex Dunn, but from the subsequent corner Mirco rose highest to head firmly for 1-1.

Sokol had a chance to restore Inglewood's lead, but Mirco had the final say in the 92nd minute with his fourth of the season after the home side failed to clear the lines.

Balcatta's encouraging end to the 2020 season continued with a third win in four games following a 2-1 home win over bottom-place Rockingham City.

Both teams were already out of contention for the finals, but Balcatta took the points and at least finished second in the lower tier.

There was an end-of-season feel to the clash at Grindleford Reserve with chances few and far between. The best of them fell the way of home midfielder Henry Durr, who forced Bradley Stout to turn around his post.

Early in the second half, Adam Tong brought the best of out of Rockingham's goalkeeper from close range when Stout palmed over.

The hosts were creating the better moments and they eventually broke through on 53 minutes when Adam Zimarino chested down a cross from brother Michael and volleyed in for his ninth of the campaign.

But with 20 minutes to play Rockingham struck against the grain and in spectacular fashion. Mitch Gruin picked up the ball wide left before cutting inside and fizzing one into the top corner.

That suddenly gave them belief as another Gruin effort was blocked by Riley Stephenson, while at the other end John Kearney's free kick was gathered down low by Stout.

A draw was looking likely, but as with many games across the division there would be a late twist, as Michael Zimarino bundled in from close range to give Balcatta the points for back-to-back wins.

Meanwhile in the upper tier, Ndumba Makeche scored a brace as Gwelup Croatia defeated Armadale 2-0 at the Croatian Sporting Complex, but the hosts failed to make the finals after Cockburn's late show at Floreat.

Gwelup had to win and needed a slip-up from the Cockerels or ECU Joondalup to have a chance of qualifying for the upcoming finals.

They started well against already-eliminated Armadale when Jon Stynes poked Makeche's pass beyond the post.

Shubham Mokala blazed over the bar before Makeche somehow glanced Kian McGuigan's inviting cross wide of the mark as the home side continued to push.

At the other end, Joshua Cortes fired over the bar after good hold up play from Armadale's leading score Angel Andres Rivera.

After the restart, Gwelup continued to press forward as Hasani Sinclair's header from Mokala's corner was superbly tipped over by Sam Hutchings, before Stynes struck the post with an effort from close

The weight of chances eventually told though as the hosts took the lead in the 64th minute. McGuigan put in another teasing cross with Makeche rising highest to loop a header over Hutchings and into the net.

Eight minutes later it was 2-0 as Sinclair raced away down the right and crossed for the former Perth Glory striker to double his tally and move to 12 for the season.

At that stage, things were looking bright for Gwelup as they occupied third place, but as the drama elsewhere unfolded it became apparent they would miss out on the cup, despite an impressive maiden NPL campaign.




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