Perth SC were embarrassed at Olympic Stadium yesterday when they were thumped 6-0 by the reigning NPLM champions Olympic Kingsway.
Olympic had six individual goalscorers – Jayden Gorman, Joe Hobson, Jonothon Leithead in the first half and then Laat Manyec, Lebib Lebib and Aryn Williams – to complete the rout.
To top-off a very dark day for the Azzurri, the boys finished the game with only nine men when Michael Scafetta and Gordon Perkins hobbled off injured after coach Kenny Lowe had exhausted all of his substitutions.
After a tense first 20 minutes, the die was cast when referee Steve Bruce pointed to the penalty spot after a strong tackle by Azzurri defender Federico Achilli on Lebib. The Azzurri players and fans felt hard done by once again by the officiating as Gorman slotted the penalty under Mark Birighitti for the opener.
The home side doubled their lead in the 35th minute. Tyler Garner played the ball in front of Leithead on the right, who got to the byline and set up a simple tap in for Hobson.
It was 3-0 seven minutes later, Hobson returned the favour for Leithead, who did look offside, although the assistant referee wasn’t quite sure – raising his flag and then quickly bringing it back down. The goal stood after a quick conference with Bruce – more disappointment and frustration for the Azzurri faithful.
Manyec made it four just after the hour-mark when he was played in by Lebib, and Lebib got on the scoresheet himself five minutes later after being set up by Mitch Oxborrow.
The thrashing was completed two minutes later when Williams scored with his head from a corner.
It was an extremely disappointing performance from the Azzurri – in stark contrast to last Friday’s performance against the league leaders Bayswater City.
Despite the result, Perth SC remain in the top four on goal difference from Armadale SC. The boys will need to pick themselves up quickly, with another away clash next Saturday to third-placed Perth Glory at the Sam Kerr Football Centre.