Perth punish Floreat with five-star final display
Football West News
Perth SC claim their first Night Series title in the NPL era. Photo by Football West/FotoEnzo
Ruthless Perth Soccer Club ran out comfortable 5-0 winners to deny undermanned Floreat Athena a third straight NPL WA Men’s Night Series title.
Floreat went into Saturday night’s final at Perth Plasterboard Centre Stadium without seven regular starters, who were attending the wedding of skipper Dean Evans, and the game was over by half-time.
A brace from Yacoub Mustafa and goals from Jordan De Leo and Thomas Southgate had Perth 4-0 at the break. The second half was predictably low key, before Alex Silla added a fifth to seal a big win for Ramon Falzon’s side.
A sign that this was not going to be Floreat’s night came as early as 13 minutes. A long ball was flicked on by Sean McManus and Noah Shamaki raced on to finish past Ryan Montgomery. Shamaki was delighted but Floreat’s lengthy celebrations were curtailed with the flag raised for offside.
Then two minutes later it was Perth who opened the scoring. Floreat lost possession in the middle of the park and Silla played in Mustafa, who netted left-footed before celebrating with a Sam Kerr-style backflip.
Floreat looked to hit back and Liam Murray’s long-range shot was saved low by Montgomery, before Sean McManus’ curling effort drifted just wide.
Perth looked equally dangerous going forward and after Luca Bodnar and Domfeh had fired wide, it was no surprise when they doubled their lead on 35 minutes.
Domfeh’s initial shot was well saved by stand-in keeper Josh Hunter, but in the goalmouth scramble skipper Jordan De Leo fired into the roof of the net.
It was 3-0 when Deng Mawien brought down Mustafa and referee Steve Gregory pointed to the spot. Southgate stepped up and sent Hunter the wrong way with the penalty.
Then on the stoke of half-time Perth added a fourth. The lively Mustafa was sent clear and he held off his marker and finished well.
Floreat were first to threaten after the break, Murray’s shot beating Montgomery but the woodwork came to the Perth’s rescue.
Instead it was Perth who scored the fifth goal. Paul Zimarino’s free-kick stung the palms of Floreat keeper Hunter and the rebound fell to Silla who finished from close range.
Mustafa went close to a hat-trick moments later from a Zimarino pass but his shot crashed off the post
Both sides had late chances. Shamaki’s shot was well saved low down by Montgomery, while Leigh Morgan saw his shot on the run kept out by Hunter.
But at the final whistle it was Perth celebrating their first Night Series title in 10 years, and first of the NPL era.
Match details
Perth SC 5 (Mustafa 15 min 40′, De Leo 35′, Southgate pen 38′, Silla)
Floreat Athena 0
Saturday, 7 March, 2020
Perth Plasterboard Centre Stadium
Kick-off: 7.15pm
Referee: Steve Gregory
Assistant referees: Josh Nixon, Harry Bolan
Fourth official: Shane Skinner
Perth Plasterboard Centre Stadium
Kick-off: 7.15pm
Referee: Steve Gregory
Assistant referees: Josh Nixon, Harry Bolan
Fourth official: Shane Skinner
Perth Soccer Club: GK Ryan MONTGOMERY, 2 Alex SILLA, 3 Jordan DE LEO (C), 4 Thomas SOUTHGATE, 6 Luca BODNAR (16 Kieran COLWELL 52’), 8 Paul ZIMARINO (13 Leigh MORGAN 76’), 10 Michael DOMFEH, 15 Sasa NJEGIC, 18 Jackson MORGAN, 19 Bojan RADINOVIC, 22 Yacoub MUSTAFA (20 Jayden GORMAN 63’)
Substitutes not used: RGK Adrian SINAGRA, 5 Niccolò SABATINI
Yellow cards: Nil
Red cards: Nil
Substitutes not used: RGK Adrian SINAGRA, 5 Niccolò SABATINI
Yellow cards: Nil
Red cards: Nil
Floreat Athena: GK Josh HUNTER, 2 Andrew PALMER, 3 Deng MAWIEN (13 George FESTA 46’), 5 Nelson TSONGO, 6 Jesse FULLER (C), 8 Sean McMANUS, 9 Noah SHAMAKI, 10 Liam MURRAY (18 Josh ANASMO 77’), 11 Ben STEELE, 20 Andrew MARANTA (14 Adam FALCONE 64’), 32 Robbie HARDING
Substitutes not used: RGK George JACKSON, 15 Ben RUTTER
Yellow cards: Nil
Red cards: Nil
Last Modified on 09/03/2020 16:17
Comments
Comment Guidelines: The SportsTG Network is made up of players, families and passionate sports followers like you who have a strong opinion about sport. That's great - we want you to have your say and share your thoughts with the world. However, we have a few rules that you must follow to keep it fun for all. Please don't be rude, abusive, swear or vilify others. Apart from some pretty serious sport sanctions, we also can ban you and report you if things get out of hand. So play fair and have fun, and thanks for your contribution.