Perth SC put in a five-star performance at Hilton Park this afternoon against Fremantle City to retain the D’orsogna Cup and collect an important three points.
Two goals to midfielder Abdul Osman and singles for Josh Cala, Ethan Banks and skipper David Ninkovich recorded the Azzurri’s first win in six leagues games. Perth SC’s last league win was on April 26 at Perth RedStar.
The win lifts Perth SC up to fifth place on the NPLM ladder with 20 points, three behind fourth placed RedStar.
Both sides had opportunities early, with Ninkovich shooting wide in the seventh minute and Azzurri keeper Matuesz Zaniewski diving low to collect the ball from the feet of Fremantle’s Taj Bingwa after he was played in by Sam Cook in the 12th minute.
But it was Perth SC who hit the front in the 17th minute after an excellent one-two from Daniel Faichney and Banks on the right resulted in Faichney’s cross setting up an easy goal by Cala from close range.
Then in the 37th minute came one of the key turning points of the game. Zaniewski saved well from Cook after a mix-up in the Perth SC defence before the ball was played down the other end of the park where Osman headed home Faichney’s cross to double the Azzurri’s advantage.
Zaniewski once again denied Fremantle just before half-time with an excellent reaction save from Bingwa’s close range strike.
Osman got his second four minutes into the second half when he fired in the rebound after Fremantle keeper Luke Radonich had saved the initial shot from Cala, who was set up by some excellent play in and around the box from Faichney and Ninkovich.
Banks made it 4-0 for Perth SC in the 70th minute with a lovely left-footed strike after he was played in by Osman.
Ninkovich then put the cherry on top of an excellent performance to make it 5-0 in the 87th minute, getting on the end of a clearance from Zaniewski on the left before cutting in onto his right foot and curling a strike home into the bottom left corner of the net.
Coach Kenny Lowe gave Perth SC youngster Jamie Bilaloski his first-team debut when he came on as a substitute late in the game.
Perth SC are back home at Dorrien Gardens for the first time in four weeks when we take on Stirling Macedonia on Friday night. Kick-off is 7pm.