Report by Kelechi Osunwa

Photo by Jonny Warrington

An injury-time goal from captain Lydon Hodgkiss gave Rockingham City a famous win on Saturday as Perth SC suffered their first NPL WA defeat in 26 matches.

The Azzurri had not tasted a league defeat since May 2018, a 2-0 loss to Perth Glory in Round 14 last season.

But just as they looked as though they were about to extend their run, the Perth defence left Hosgkiss completely unmarked and he met Robbie Galvin's inswinging free-kick to head home his second goal from two yards out to seal a 3-2 victory.

Rockingham put on a dazzling display to rock the league leaders at SafeRad Stadium, taking an early lead after a mix-up between Tom Southgate and keeper Dejan Aleksic allowed Hodkiss to net.

Perth equalised inside a minute with Michael Domfeh holding up the ball for Andreas Theodosiades to rifle a low shot which City keeper Cyril Sharrock should have kept out.

Rockingham regained the lead just before halftime when Jason Pottier danced past his marker before lashing a shot home from just outside the penalty area.

Rockingham started the second half the better of the two sides but couldn’t make their sustained spell of pressure count. Reily Van Dieken went closest when he cut in from the left wing and powered a curling shot which hit the bar.

Perth made Rockingham pay after Sharrock’s punch went straight to Jordan De Leo and he picked out Matt Milenkovic to head home the equaliser.

The match looked to be heading towards a draw but it was Hodgkiss’ header from Galvin's deep free-kick which decided an entertaining encounter.

The result lifted Rockingham two places to eighth while the loss was not too damaging for Perth, who are still nine points ahead of second-place Balcatta with just eight matches remaining.

Star player: Lydon Hodgkiss (Rockingham)

Rockingham City 3: Hodgkiss 8min 91, Pottier 40
Perth SC 2: Theodosiades 9, Milenkovic 60

Saturday, June 30
Alfred Saferad Stadium
Kick-off: 3pm
Referee: Adam Fielding,
Assistant referees: Harry Bolan, Ethan Perssee

Rockingham City: 1. Cyril SHARROCK (GK) 3. Justis BRADLEY, 20. Mitch FIRTH, 18. Michael FARMER, 8. Jason POTTIER (10. James HARMER 75),  9. Sam McKEARNEN, 11. Riley VAN DIEKEN, 15. Shaz RAMLEE, 23. Victor BRAUNER (6. Rob GALVIN 75), 12. Lydon HODGKISS, 7. James MILLARD (13. Jarred MORT 90+3)
Substitutes not used: 21. James GREHAN, 5. Harry COLLINS, 14. Ryan KENNEDY
Yellow cards: Cyril Sharrock 49, Farmer 93
Red cards: Nil

Perth SC: GK: Dejan ALEKSIC, 4. Tom SOUTHGATE, 6. Harley ORR, 18. Michael DOMFEH (9. Gustavo CATARCIONE 65), 11. Matt MILENKOVIC, 12. Jordan DE LEO, 13. Rocco PIZZATA, 14. Kristian SANTICH (7. Aleks JOVIC 65), 16. Kieran COLWELL, 3. Andreas THEODOSIADES 61), 20. Paul ZIMARINO
Substitutes not used: RGK: Francis SOALE, 2. Alex SILLA, 17. Frank FURFARO
Yellow cards: Pizzata 85, De Leo 90+2’ Orr 90+3
Red cards: Nil