Newly appointed Perth coach Taki Nicolaidis has admitted it will be very tough for his side to make the finals after their 3-0 loss to Armadale at Dorrien Gardens.

In his first home game as coach, Nicolaidis could not rally his troops to get the win against another side that hasn’t been in the best form.

“Nothing is impossible (making the finals), but the thing is, we can’t afford to be dropping points,” he said.

“Goal difference also doesn’t help, 8-0 against Bayswater a few weeks ago, and 3-0 (today) and there is 11 goals.”

Armadale took the lead on the half hour mark through Jack Salter who headed into the bottom corner.

Perth struggled for opportunities in the first half, Liam Boland had plenty of open headers, but was not able to capitalise.

Things got worse for the home side after the break as Salter nabbed his second of the match just minutes after the restart.

Salt was rubbed into the wound as an own goal was conceded with less than 10 minutes remaining to seal the Reds win.

Armadale coach Lee Bamber was wrapped with the way his side had played and acknowledged how important Salter was to the team.

“We have missed him (Salter), he had been out for a while… his goals, we have missed his goals.”

“Goals change games, and that is what happened today.”

Bamber also admitted injuries had taken a toll on his side, but praised his younger players for their hard work when called upon.

After picking up just four points in the previous six games, Bamber said finals were out of the question, but said there were still specific goals to achieve.

“Our goal was to be comfortable mid-table and make some progress on last season, which we are doing,” he said.

Armadale 3 (Salter ’30, ’51, OG ’81)
Perth 0
Venue: Dorrien Gardens
Kick off: 3pm
Crowd: Approx 100-150

Perth: GK. Dom SAVODELLI, 2. James MAROCCHI, (3. Luka NJEICH ’71), 5. Daniel COLETTA, 7. Liam BOLAND, 8. Dom DE FELICE, (9. David ONOFORO ’58), 11. Kris GATES, (14. Michael RIZZIDIS ’86), 15. Antonio NAGLIERI, 16. Josh PEREIRA, 17. Frank FURFARO, 21. Friday ZICO, 22. Ashley CROKER.

Subs not used: 4. Jarrod BELFORD, 24. Hudson HERRON
Yellow cards: James MAROCCHI ’65, Liam BOLAND ’66, Ashley CROKER ’67, Luka NJEICH ’75, Dom DE FELICE ‘80
Red cards: Nil

Armadale: GK. Ellis HAWKSWORTH, 2. Daniel RICHMAN, (3. Jackson BEALY ’84), 4. Nathan COSTELLO, 5. Billy QUINCROFT, 7. Lance LOUVIE, 8. Louie BAKE, 9. Ian MAGUIRE, 10. Rhys LOXLEY, (12. Alex CLARKE ’61), 13. Sam LOVELESS, 14. Mitch CASTRILLI, (15. Jamie NEWBY ’77), 17. Jack SALTER.

Subs not used: Nil
Yellow cards: Louie BAKE ‘66
Red cards: Nil