2.03.2010

Report by Chris Correia

Perth SC has cruised to a comfortable 3-1 win over ECU Joondalup at E&D Litis Stadium to reach the Bam Creative Night Series Final.

Goals from Shaun Kilkelly, Ian McMurray and substitute Andreas Oliveira secured the win for Perth in front of a crowd of 350 at the pre-season Semi Final.

The 2009 Champions and reigning Night Series winners begun well with Domenico De Felice nearly slotting the opener, but ECU had a man on the last line of defence to stop a certain goal.

Geneveo Human tried to find the scoreboard but failed to hit the target soon after when he was found unmarked in the 18-yard box, with his shot travelling just wide of the near post.

A Joondalup set-piece picked out striker John Thornley, but his header lacked power and just went wide of the target.

Greg Sharland's corner from the left brought upon the opener for Perth as it went beyond the far post, was kept in play and finally bundled home by Shaun Kilkelly.

ECU continued to mount attacks forward and responded just before half time through Golden Boot winner Phil O'Callaghan.

The former Stirling Lions and Mandurah City striker used his predatory instincts to follow-up Thornley's header which rebounded off the crossbar and O'Callaghan positioned himself well to finish from close range.

Just as it looked like being locked at 1-1 for the main break, Perth were able to grab a slender lead after Human's shot deflected off McMurray to bamboozle ECU ‘keeper Andy Banks and find the back of the net.

Joondalup needed an inspiring half-time message from coach Syd Amphlett to lift the side struggling to match the reigning champions and ECU opted to stay out on the pitch for the interval as Amphlett instructed his troops.

However, their day got worse when Aryn Williams was given his marching orders by referee Paul Anderson after causing a melee to break out in the middle of the park.

Sharland could have extended his side's lead but opted to pass across the face of goal instead of shooting himself, wasting a valuable chance for Perth.

ECU defender Scott Bushby then went on a mazy run to break free of the Perth defence, but he also wasted his chance to get on the scoreboard.

Substitute Jack Clisby nearly made an instant impact after he stole the ball off ECU's Garin Collins on the left wing and crossed perfectly for David Onoforo, but the striker missed his attempted volley.

Thornley had a chance in the dying stages to bring his side level, but his powerful shot after displaying a great touch to control the ball was saved brilliantly by young Perth ‘keeper Jason Saldaris.

Onoforo soon had another chance in added time to finish the match off but the striker broke into the box and his shot was saved on the line by the ECU defence, with the rebound finished by fellow substitute Andreas Oliveira to clinch a 3-1 win.

Perth will now take on bitter rivals Western Knights in the title decider next Sunday at Clipsal Stadium with kick-off at 6pm.

Check out www.footballwest.tv on Monday afternoon for all the match highlights and post match interview with Perth SC coach Graham Normanton.

Perth SC: GK Jason SALDARIS, 2 Trent KAY, 5 Michael BLACK, 6 Shaun KILKELLY, 7 Matt DANSKIN (15 Jack CLISBY 70'), 8 Rob PUCA, 13 Simon WILSON, 16 Ian McMURRAY (9 David ONOFORO 65'), 17 Geneveo HUMAN (10 Andreas OLIVEIRA 70'), 18 Domenico DE FELICE, 23 Greg SHARLAND

Substitutes not used: RGK Luke MARTINO, 14 Nathan RAWES 

ECU Joondalup: GK Andy BANKS, 2 Garin COLLINS, 3 Chris WYLIE, 6 John HIGGINS, 8 Scott BUSHBY, 9 Jake BENSON-COOPER (15 Daniel ALLEN 65'), 11 Phil O'CALLAGHAN, 12 Michael CURRIE (10 Jamie WATT 65'), 13 John THORNLEY, 14 Aryn WILLIAMS, 23 Charlie COMYN-PLATT

Substitutes not used: RGK Tom DIXON, 18 Brandon O'NEILL