Matt Danskin ensured Perth SC made a winning start to their Night Series campaign by scoring the solitary goal in this evening’s 1-0 defeat of a spirited Olympic Kingsway outfit at Dorrien Gardens. Perth were rewarded for their attacking outlook when Danskin fired them in front midway through the first period, and although the side in blue dominated the remainder of the game there would be no addition to the scoreline due in part to Aaron Olow, who stood tall between the posts for Kingsway.

Although both sides created a number of early half chances it was Perth that looked the more likely to score. David Onoforo’s diving header was narrowly wide of the target after good work out wide by Adam Bachiller, who soon after was himself thwarted by goalkeeper Olow. Onoforo set-up Daniel Neiderberger for what seemed like a definite opener only for a Kingsway defender to clear off the line. Kingsway were similarly unlucky not to take the lead when the hosts failed to clear Elliot Rose’s cross and Lewis Flatt’s explosive drive from 25-metres cannoned off the junction of crossbar and post.

Onoforo was featuring prominently every time Perth pushed into their attacking third, ensuring there’d be not a moments rest for Kingsway’s rear guard. Onoforo manoeuvred his way around Olow and cut the ball back to Niederberger who was denied the game’s first goal by Jesse Higgins last ditch challenge. There would be no such luck on 24 minutes when over-lapping fullback Danskin kept his composure to rifle low past Olow in a one-on-one. Although eventful, there would be no addition to the scoreline before the interval due to a combination of rusty finishing, some desperate defending and an outstanding performance by Olow.

The second half was only five minutes old when Kingsway’s plight worsened with the red carding of Jamie Trandos, whose tackle was deemed to have robbed Neiderberger a goal scoring opportunity. The rest of the game followed much the same pattern as the first half with the bulk of the attack held by Perth and Kingsway playing on the counterattack. Olow ensured the final margin was not greater by brilliantly saving from Robert Scaiscia after a neat lead-up down the left. And in the closing moments substitute Adrian Caceres created space but was also unable to get the better of Olow.