Perth trump Tassie champs
Report by Aidan Shaw
Photo courtesy Vince Caratozzolo/fotoenzo.com
Perth SC have advanced to the next stage of the PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues Finals after a convincing 6-1 win over Tasmanian champions Devonport Strikers at E&D Litis Stadium on Saturday night.
A brace to Matthew Milenkovic highlighted a largely one-sided contest, and while Devonport pulled one back midway through the second period, late goals to Clark Keltie and Andreas Theodosiades sealed a convincing victory.
After claiming the league title and The West Australian Top Four Cup in recent weeks, Perth's Ramon Falzon said his side went into the match full of confidence.
“Thursday we had worked a lot tactically because we had some good information on Devenport, so a big well done to the boys, they deserved it,” he said.
Looking forward to next week's match, Falzon said he is pleased his side will not have to travel.
“Others will travel, not us, so from our side we'll just keep to our preparations as usual.”
Perth had the better of possession in the early stages and had several lengthy stints in their attacking third before opening their account on 10 minutes.
Milenkovic delivered in a precision corner and found Nathan Diaz, who headed home to the elation of the home fans.
It was Milenkovic who doubled the tally in the 22nd minute when he got past his marker on the right and fired home emphatically past Thomas Pearce.
Devonport had their first sniff at goal minutes later when Brayden Mann got ahead of the Perth defence and struck a shot which beat Francis Soale and rebounded off the upright.
Milenkovic claimed his second and his side's third on the half-hour when he chipped it over Pearce and raced forward to tap home.
The visitors had another chance to pull one back in the 43rd minute when Joel Stone's cross in from the left found Beau Blizzard unmarked in the area but his header went inches over the bar.
Gustavo Catarcione showed his individual class when he claimed his second in the 55th minute, weaving through the entire Devonport defence before slotting home low to make it 4-0.
Harley Orr gave Catarcione an opportunity to double his tally in the 67th when he sent the Brazillian striker through on goal but he fired narrowly wide.
Devonport pulled one back in the 69th minute through Mann, when he got to Soale's parried save first and slotted home to give the travelling fans something to smile about.
That proved only to be a consolation as Keltie and substitute Theodosiades rounded out the interstate demolition with a goal each late on.
Devonport's Peter Savill said he is disappointed for his side to finish the season with a loss but took some positives out of the match.
“We've lost our last two to finish the season so we're obviously disappointed,” he said. “But the lads have had a great year and I'm sure they'll have a few beers tonight.”
The result sees Perth progress to the next stage of the finals series where they will face Northern New South Wales champions Edgeworth, with the full details yet to be confirmed.
Perth SC 6 (Diaz 10, Catarcione 55, Milenkovic 21, 30, Keltie 85, Theodosiades 90+3)
Devonport Strikers 1 (Mann 69)
Saturday, September 17, 2016
E & D Litis Stadium
Kick-off: 6:00pm
Referee: David Bruce
Assistant referees: Josh Manella, Michael Jasinski
Fourth official: Tom Dowle
Perth SC: GK Francis SOALE, 5. Nathan DIAZ, 6. Clark KELTIE (c), 7. Aleksander JOVIC (3. Andreas THEODOSIADES 72), 9. Gustavo CATARCIONE (17. Frank FURFARO 81), 10. Nicholas AMBROGIO (16. Thomas JEBB 85), 11. Matthew MILENKOVIC, 12. Jordan DE LEO, 13. Rocco PIZZATA, 15. Harley ORR, 18. Alex SILLA
Substitutes not used: RGK Daniel PASSARELLI, 14. Dino TOPCAGIC
Yellow cards: nil
Red cards: nil
Devonport Strikers: GK Thomas PEARCE, 3. Dominic SMITH, 4. Beau BLIZZARD (6. Jesse DANCE 58), 5. Joseph ZUPO, 7. Brody DENEHY (22. Harrison WICKS 85), 8. Kieran MULRANEY, 9. Brayden MANN (c), 10. Joel STONE, 11. Adam GORRIE, 16. Todd HINGSTON (16. Lindsay MILLINGTON 77), 17. Daniel SYSON
Substitutes not used: RGK Josh SMITH, 19. Jack DANCE
Yellow cards: Mann 74',
Red cards: nil
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