Report by Aidan Shaw

Photo by Fotoenzo

A late penalty converted by Niccolo Sabatini allowed Perth SC to claim a 4-3 victory over Cockburn in their penultimate PS4 NPLWA fixture at Dorrien Gardens.

Cockburn overcame a 2-1 half-time deficit and led with 10 minutes remaining, but two late goals in an invigorating end to end match meant Perth claimed all three points and hold onto second position in the league.

Perth coach Ramon Falzon said he was pleased to take the three points, but felt his side made too many errors throughout the match.

“I think there were periods where we were brilliant, penetrated really well and created good chances,” he said.

“But at the same time, I thought there were instances in both halves where we just made too many errors on the ball, and some of them were really simple and should never happen at first team level.”

Needing a response after a scoreless draw last week, Perth took the lead inside three minutes through Scottish import Lewis Milne, who slotted home low from just outside the area.

Cockburn responded immediately and equalised in the seventh minute.

Liam Murray received the ball in the area from a free-kick who managed to get the ball over the line in a scramble in the box.

The home side then controlled the majority of possession while Cockburn looked to hit them on the counter, with Gian Albano tearing through the Perth defence on several occasions.

It was Perth who led at half time thanks to Gustavo Catarcione, who held off an opponent in the area and fired comfortably past Luke Radonich in the 38th minute.

Perth continued to threaten early in the second half before Cockburn skipper Harry O’Brien drew his side level with a superb chip over Francis Soale just after the hour mark.

Despite several chances to restore their lead, Perth found themselves behind in the 80th minute.

A mistimed pass out of defence by Kieran Colwell was pounced on by O’Brien, who slotted home his second to make it 3-2.

The home side found an equaliser in the 87th minute through substitute Elliot Tattersal, before being awarded a penalty deep into stoppage time when Radonich brought down Catarcione who was in on goal.

Niccolo Sabatini stepped up and fired into the top right corner to give Perth a memorable win.

With Inglewood possessing a far superior goal difference and having won against Balcatta, Perth’s hopes of retaining the league title are all but over.

However Falzon said his side are feeling positive as they shift their focus towards retaining the McInerney Ford Top Four Cup.

“We have got heaps of work ahead of us now leading into the Top Four,” he said.

“We’ve got a few players coming back from injury, which is definitely giving us a bit of depth at the end of the season.

“The Top Four Cup is our trophy to defend as well, and that is the mind frame our players need.”

Perth SC (Milne 3min, Catarcione 38, Tattersal 87, Sabatini 90+)
Cockburn City (Murray 7min, O’Brien 61, 80)
Saturday, August 19, 2017
Dorrien Gardens
Kick-off: 3:00pm
Referee: Stuart Muldoon
Assistant Referees: Stephen Knight, Mitch Barrington

Perth SC: GK Francis SOALE (c), 2. Alex SILLA, 3. Andreas THEODOSIADES, 5. Niccolo SABATINI, 8. Tom KING, 9. Gustavo CATARCIONE, 11. Matthew MILENKOVIC (20. Elliot TATTERSAL 58), 13. Rocco PIZZATA, 16. Kieran COLWELL, 18. Lewis MILNE, 21. Paul ZIMARINO
Substitutes not used: RGK Malek KUC, 4. Adrian MADASCHI, 7. Aleks JOVIC, 10. Nicholas AMBROGIO
Yellow cards: Zimarino 44’, Catarcione 45’, Sabatini 93’
Red cards: nil

Cockburn City: GK Luke RADONICH, 5. Keiron STALLARD, 6. Reuben TRISTAO, 7. Calvin WHITNEY, 8. Cameron EDWARDS (3. Daniel ROBINSON 87), 9. Gian ALBANO, 11. Harry O’BRIEN (c), 15. Daniel SANTICH, 16. Liam MURRAY (10. David ARAYA 65), 17. Jesse LAZZARO, 18. Aden DA LUZ (14. Julian TELES 46)
Substitutes not used: RGK Ben RADONICH, 2. Joshua KUSER
Yellow cards: Radonich 92’
Red cards: nil