Perth beat Bayswater to go top
Report by Ryan Borrett
Perth SC went top of the NPL WA table with a thrilling 2-1 victory over previous leaders Bayswater City at Frank Drago Reserve on Sunday.
Two-goal Gustavo Catarcione was the hero for the Azzurri with the winning goal seven minutes from the end.
The usually prolific striker had struggled to find the back of the net recently but his performance in the derby highlighted his talent.
“I’m incredibly happy and very proud of their performance today,” Perth SC coach Ramon Falzon said.
“We haven’t won here for a while so we wanted to bring our best efforts.
Gustavo has been looking for that goal for a while and he saved his best for the most important game of the season.”
Perth SC took the lead in the 13th minute as Catarcione found space on the edge of the box and smashed home a low shot to the bottom left that left Bayswater keeper Devon Spence no chance.
Bayswater bounced back with their fluid attacking play and created several chances but struggled to find the breakthrough.
Indeed their finishing left a lot to be desired throughout the match, although they finally found an equaliser in the 78th minute through substitute Luke Salmon.
The young striker, who has made a strong impression this season, was played through on goal by Luka Ninkovic and he passed Perth keeper Francis Soale to make it 1-1.
Bayswater City piled men forward late in the match to try to grab a winning goal but the gamble failed when Perth regained the lead late on.
Bayswater’s Arran Maplestone lost possession in his own half and Azzurri substitute Richard Howles pounced on the opportunity and squared to Catarcione, whose shot found the top right-hand corner to ensure his side claimed the three points.
Bayswater City coach Chris Coyne said his side didn’t deserve to lose the game.
“I’m disappointed in the result of course but we gave them both goals,” he said.
“We dominated the second half but if you don’t take your chances you won’t come out on top.”
Coyne also praised youngster Salmon and his goalscoring form.
“He was excellent today and he could have had another if he wasn’t called offside.”
Bayswater City 1 (Salmon 78min)
Perth SC 2 (Catarcione 13, 83)
Sunday, April 15, 2018
Frank Drago Reserve
Kick-off: 3pm
Referee: Josh Mannella
Assistant referees: Anthony Walsh, Joseph Belfiore
Bayswater City: 1. Devon SPENCE, 5. Adam HARRIS, 8. Paul MCCARTHY, 12. David STOKOE, 13. Trent KAY, 17. Gian ALBANO, 19. Luka NINKOVIC, 21. Riley VAN DIEKAN (22. Luke SALMON 58), 23. Adrija JUKIC (4. Arran MAPLESTONE 81), 24. Jake SARDELIC, 26. Paul Lloyd
Substitutes not used: 10. Jason MIRCO, 15. Jordan POKLER, 25. Dejan ALEKSIC
Yellow cards: Nil
Red cards: Nil
Perth SC: 1. Francis SOALE, 3. Andreas THEODOSIADES (14. Kristan SANTICH 77), 4. Adrian MADASCHI, 5. Niccolo SABATINI, 6. Harley ORR, 9. Gustavo CATARCIONE, 10. Nicholas AMBROGIO (18. Richard HOWLES 79), 11. Matthew MILENKOVIC, 12. Jordan DE LEO, 13. ROCCO PIZZATA (16. Kieran COLWELL 54), 20. Paul ZIMARINO
Substitutes not used: 7. Aleksander JOVIC, 23. Daniel PASSARELLI
Yellow cards: Madaschi 28, Zimarino 86, De Leo 90+5
Red cards: Nil
