Perth SC were thrashed 4-1 at Nash Field against Western Knights on Saturday afternoon in their Round 18 NPLM clash.
The Knights blew away the Azzurri within the first 21 minutes of the game, racing out to a 4-0 lead, before Gordon Perkins got one back for the visitors just before half-time.
Defensive errors cost Perth SC severely in the opening stages of the match, adding to coach Kenny Lowe’s woes – already having to field an undermanned side due to suspension, injury and unavailability.
Azzurri keeper Matuesz Zaniewski’s suspension gave a first league start at Perth SC for U23s custodian Marino Gojak. Midfielder Jackson Morgan and attacker Ethan Banks were out through injury and skipper David Ninkovich was unavailable due to a trial in Italy.
Lowe also gave an opportunity to U23s midfielder Luke Davies, who made his first team debut for the Azzurri after replacing Josh Cala in the 79th minute.
It was a horrible start for Perth SC, with left back Sean O’Connor losing the ball and former Azzurri player Kristian Santich pouncing to strike from distance to find the back of the net after only two minutes.
Things got worse for the Azzurri 10 minutes later, when O’Connor was dispossessed once again, leading to Kosta Sparta’s cross from the right finding an unmarked Harry O’Brien to head home from close range.
A minute later, it was Sammie Riak’s turn to lose the ball just outside the Azzurri’s defensive penalty area with Sparta on hand this time to capitalise and make it 3-0 for the home side inside 14 minutes.
The Azzurri nightmare continued in the 21st minute, with Henry Curtis poking in the rebound after Jesse Lazzaro’s free-kick had hit the post.
Perkins was the only bright light for Perth SC on a miserable day, and he got a deserved goal in the 43rd minute, after Knights keeper Anthony Lance failed to deal with Zayd Farah’s cross from the right.
Despite the heavy defeat, Perth SC (24 points) still remain in sixth spot on the NPLM ladder after 18 rounds, although the 10-point gap to fourth placed Perth RedStar (34 points) means the Azzurri are now unlikely to play Top Four football in 2025. The Knights (23 points) are now also one point behind Perth SC in seventh spot with four games remaining.
Perth SC will be looking to bounce back next Saturday at Dorrien Gardens against eighth-placed Armadale SC (20 points). Kick-off is at 3pm.