Perth SC down Stirling Lions to win the night series

Athena beat Sorrento to take out third place

Perth SC came from behind to take out the 2006 McInerney Ford Night Series with a 4-2 extra-time victory against Stirling Lions at the Litis Stadium on Sunday Evening.

The Lions began well and they pressed the Perth defence, which made a number of rare errors early. Gareth Deeg dropped a free kick and Darko Ilomanoski was quickest to react but he shot wide.

Perth began to get into the game and after good work from David Onoforo, the lively striker played in Gary Faria. The feet of keeper Phil Straker stopped him, but Faria was first to the rebound and his cross shot hit the crossbar and was cleared.

The Lions also hit the woodwork moments later a great through ball by Steve Porter found Jordan Rhodes who beat Deeg but his shot struck the base of the post and the Perth defence cleared the danger. It was an entertaining game in front of a big crowd and Perth went close twice in as many minutes before the break.

Lion’s keeper Straker made two superb saves to deny a Onoforo volley and a Robert Puca’s free kick. But Perth’s pressure paid off and they were in front in the 43rd minute. A long range shot from Puca came through a pack of players, Straker got a hand to the shot but couldn’t prevent the ball going into the net. It was even first half but Perth had the lead.

The second half began with a bang and the Lions were level in the 50th minute, a great knock back at the back post by Andy Brown found Rhodes who scored from close range. The Lions continued to dominate, Porter again was the provider as he sent Brown clear, but the striker’s finish was straight at Deegs.

Perth upped the tempo and went close twice in as many minutes, Bulloch crossed from the left found Peter Lord, his nod back found Onoforo whose shot was cleared off the line by the alert Riste Stefoski, and Aaron Cole’s shot flew inches past the post. But the deadlock was broken in the 78th minute and it was the Lions who scored, a long ball from defence caught the Perth back four out and Rhodes beat Deeg to the ball and scored from close range.

Perth pushed forward in numbers looking for the eqauliser and Gary Faria headed over the bar from close range and Straker easily saved a Brendan Ross shot. But Perth were level in the 84th minute, Faria laid the ball back to Lord, who scored with a superb long range shot. So it was into extra time and Perth began to dominate and goals from Brendan Ross and Scott Bulloch in the second period of extra time gave Perth a 4-2 victory.

Earlier, Floreat Athena won the play-off for third game against Sorrento 3-2 after a penalty shoot out, after the game ended 1-1 after normal time.

It was quite opening with both sides resting a number of their senior players and giving their younger squad members an opportunity to play. Floreat Adam Bachiller was on fire early he fired wide after good approach work from Steve Guest and Bachiller weaved his way past three Sorrento defenders before sending a powerful cross into the box but Jerry Karpah was unable to finish.

Sorrento pushed forward and Alex Dunn in the Floreat goal saved Carlos Vega shot. There were few chances in a dour first half, but Brad Hassell volleyed straight at Dunn for Sorrento and Mohamed Komaderic headed wide for Floreat, but it was 0-0 at the break.

The second half opened up brighter with Komaderic on target but Neil Young saved low, and Karpeh was only inches away from a Paul Vatistas cross. Floreat looked the more dangerous and Branimir Mikulic played in Vatistas in on goal but a superb tackle from Brad Hassell cleared the danger.

But it was only a matter of time before Floreat’s pressure paid off and they were in front. The lively Vatistas sent Komaderic down the right wing, his cross was fired home past Neil young by Karpeh, to the delight of the home supporters.

It was Sorrento that had to push forward now and Dennis Galen and Liam McLaughlin both fired inches wide for Sorrento. But with Sorrento pushing everything forward they were caught out with 10minutes remaining Karpeh cross was headed just wide by Komaderic.

In the last minute of the game Sorrento leveled, a needless free kick was given away on the edge of the box and Floreat were made to pay. Michael Ord sent the game into a penalty shoot out when he slammed home Hassell’s free kick from the penalty area. It was Floreats that kept their nerve in the shoot-out winning 3-2, to take the third place in the Football West Night Series.

Team Line-ups

Perth SC:
GK Gareth Deeg, Scott Bulloch, Gianfranco Circati, Michael Icanovski, Aaron Cole, Robert Puca, David Onoforo, Gary Faria, Brendan Ross, Jeff Bright, Robert Sciascia Subs; Gianni Papalia, Christian DeBarro, Peter Lord, Matt Danskin, Trent Kay

Stirling Lions:
GK Phil Straker, Riste Stefoski, Darko Ilomanoski, Mark Walsh, Steve Porter, Leo Harman, Ryan Jeans, Jordan Rhodes, Michael Pugliese, Rob Miller, Andy Brown, Subs; Mark Bentley, Peter Dunn, Jake Harman, Boi Ludovic.
Man of the Match: Robert Puca (Perth SC)

Floreat Athena:
GK Alex Dunn, Julian Madaschi, Baju Savic, Adam Bachiller, Gerry Karpeh, Steve Guest, John Migas, Paul Vatistas, Mohamed Komaderic, John Davite, Nick Studer, Subs; Vas Vujacic, Steve Clark, A. Barber.

Sorrento:
GK Neil Young, Andrew Bowyer, Richard Watson, Carlos Vega, Simon Harland, Lewis Flatt, Dennis Galan, Michael Ord, Ciocci Vinicius, Liam McCallum, Chris Smith Subs; Chris Ramsey, Michael Johnson, Brad Hassell, Jesse Higgins, Ben Davies-Smith.
Man of the Match: Paul Vatistas (Floreat Athena).

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