Football West News

Floreat Athena celebrate their 2022 Night Series victory. Photo by Football West/FotoEnzo

Floreat Athena claimed their third NPLWA - Men's Night Series title in five years as they produced an impressive 4-0 demolition job on Perth SC at Frank Drago Reserve.

Robert Petkov (2), Phil Arnold and Bayley Montgomery were the scorers for Athena, who will head into their opening league clash against the same opponents next week in confident mood.

There was also a score to settle for Floreat, who were blown away 6-3 when they last faced Perth in the 2021 Top Four Cup final. This time it was the Azzurri on the receiving end and, like Athena last year, they had no answer.

fter an uneventful opening, Athena broke through on 14 minutes. The outstanding Sean McManus slipped the ball to Riley Woodcock on the overlap and he sent over a fine cross from the left which the unmarked Petkov headed home. It was the second year in a row that Petkov had scored in the Night Series final against Perth - last year he was on target in Inglewood United's victory.

Floreat were 2-0 up on 27 minutes as they punished some poor defending. There seemed little danger when Julian Teles prepared to clear Chris Saldaris' cross, but the former Cockburn man inadvertently picked out Arnold and his low shot from 25 yards found its way into the corner of the net.

Perth were struggling to break through the Floreat lines, despite some prompting from youngster Ethan Banks. Then when they did work an opening early in the second half, Shub Mokala's indecision saw the opportunity pass him by.

Soon after, it was 3-0 when player of the match Petkov made space on the corner of the area and his powerful effort beat Perth keeper Luke Radonich at his near post.

With 20 minutes remaining referee Steve Gregory awarded a penalty for Perth for a body check by Woodcock on Jordan De Leo. But in keeping with their evening, Hasani Sinclair's well-struck effort was smartly saved by penalty specialist Jason Saldaris.

Instead it was Athena who added to the scoreline in the 76th minute. Perth made a hash of clearing their lines and substitute Montgomery, who had been on the pitch for about 10 seconds, stabbed home from a yard out.