| 2009 Night Series Final: Perth SC 1 - 0 Floreat Athena |
 |
 |
|
Report By: Peter
Simcox A goal from Perth SC defender Trent Kay on 33 minutes was enough for Graham Normanton’s side to regain the 2009 Night Series crown, with a 1-0 victory against Floreat Athena at a packed Dorrien Gardens on Saturday evening. In excess of 1800 people were on hand to see Kay fire home a Matthew Danskin corner to give Perth their fourth consecutive night series trophy. 
Perth Coach Graham Normanton, who had to watch the game from the stand due to suspension, was happy with the victory. “It was a tight game, as all finals are. My boys battled well and we’re happy to win the game,” Normanton said. “Our back three were solid tonight, and I thought young Jason in goal did well. We had a contingency plan if they threw three forward, which they did late and that worked well, so overall I’m delighted with the victory,” he added.
Both sides made two changes to their starting line up’s with Floreat Athena coach Michael Roki bringing in keeper Simon Madaschi for Alex Dunn and Dean Apelgren for James Isaia, while Perth brought in Danskin and Greg Sharland for the suspended Antonio Naglieri and Domenic de Felice, who dropped to the bench.
Perth were quick out of the blocks and showed their intensions early, a quick free kick from Todd Howarth sent Marco Pelosi clear down the left and his shot from the angle was just wide. The former Hearts wing back was causing the Floreat defenders all sorts of problems and after a surging run on six minutes, saw his through ball over hit with David Onoforo ready to pounce.
Floreat settled and after some good lead up work from Jarred Smith and David Foster on 10 minutes, Daniel Neiderberger crossed to Branimir Mikulic who fired over from the edge of the box.
Both sides had their chances as the game opened up. First on 12 minutes, Onoforo crossed to Sharland who fired inches past the post, while for Floreat a attempted clearance from Perth keeper Jason Saldaris was totally mistimed and as he tried to head the ball clear outside his box Foster beat him to it and headed inches wide.
Perth should have taken the lead on 25 minutes, John Migas lost possession in midfield and a quick break by Danskin had Perth with a three to one advantage, but Phil Arnold blazed over from eight-yards.
Their supporters didn’t have long to wait, as they hit the front on 33 minutes. Danskin’s corner from the left was headed back across goal by Arnold and Kay was on hand to fire low past Madaschi.
The second half opened up like the first with both sides pressing, Arnold’s shot was superbly blocked by some desperate defending from Apelgren, while Brad Scott fired over from long-range on 48 minutes. Then Migas’ free kick from the edge of the box was well held by Saldaris minutes later.
With both sides searching for goals the keepers were earning their money. First Saldaris had to be alert to save from Mikulic’s header on 53 minutes, and Madaschi produced a good save to deny Arnold’s header after a pinpoint cross by Howarth four minutes later.
It should have been 2-0 to Perth on 65 minutes, Arnold battled back to win possession on the half way line and then ran at the Floreat defence before sending Onoforo clear. The WA state striker rounded Madaschi but took the ball too wide and could only fire high and wide from a tight angle.
It was a case of déjà vu minutes later with Arnold again the provider, but Onoforo wasted another golden opportunity firing wide from 12-yards.
Floreat had ridden their luck, but began to get on top and on 73 minutes thought they had levelled. Midfielder Paul Vatistas found Scott in the penalty area and his snap shot from eight-yards was superbly saved by Saldaris at full stretch.
It was a stunning save that had the 2,000 strong crowd on their feet, but he produced another top quality save to deny Floreat 10 minutes later. Neiderberger’s cross shot from the left was drifting into the top corner of the net but Saldaris acrobatically tipped the ball on to the bar and to safety.
It was all Floreat now and Perth had to defend in numbers, with Gianfranco Circati outstanding at the heart of their defence. Second half substitute Callum Roberts was busy and he found Migas, whose long-range shot flew over the bar on 85 minutes.
Against the run of play Perth went close to doubling their lead on 88 minutes. A quick counter attack saw Pelosi’s run and shot flash just over the bar.
Goalscorer Trent Kay was wrapped to have scored the winner. “It was a hard fought game tonight, but I’m happy to get the win and the winning goal of course,” Kay said.
“They pushed three upfront near the end and we got exposed a bit, but the team fought it out and it’s a great to start to our 2009 campaign,” he added.
Perth SC 1 (Kay 33’) - Floreat Athena 0
Dorrien Gardens, Saturday March 21, 2009 HT: 1-0 Crowd: Appx 1800
Perth SC - GK Jason Saldaris, 2 Trent Kay, 3 Gianfranco Circati, 4 Craig Simpson, 6 Todd Howarth, 7 Matthew Danskin, (17 Dominic de Felice 52’) 8 Phil Arnold, 9 David Onoforo, 10 Greg Sharland, 11 Michael Black, 13 Marco Pelosi
Subs not used: RGK Luke Martino, 16 Robert Giorgi, 18 Genaveo Human, 23 Million Butshire Yellow Cards - Danskin 30’, Simpson 39’, de Felice 56’ Floreat Athena: GK Simon Madaschi, 2 Simon Eltonbot, 5 Jarred Smith, 12 Branimir Mikulic, 13 John Migas, 15 Paul Vatistas, 8 David Foster (11 C Roberts 69’), 10 J Barrera, 9 D Neiderberger, 18 B Scott, 22 Dean Apelgren Substitutes not used: RGK Vas Vujacic, 6 Miki Vujacic, 14 Saul Contera, 17 Ante Kovacevic Yellow Cards - Barrera 29’, Mikulic 54’, Apelgren 85’ 
|