Fremantle Spirit 1 Armadale 0 (AET)

Fremantle Spirit’s midfielder Cisco Jorquere scored a penalty in the first period of extra time to beat Armadale 1-0 and send the port side into the third round of the Soccer Pools Cup at Dalmatinac Park.

It was the home side that started the better with Callum Roberts testing Cyril Sharrock early and he was in again on seven minutes, but Sharrock was alert to push his shot around the post. The Reds keeper was working overtime and on 10 minutes he saved low from Roberts again as the home side totally dominated possession.

Armadale, who were missing six regular starters, continued to defend in numbers and Ben Kelly was only inches away from opening Spirit’s account after he cut inside from the right and sent his shot over the bar.  Moments later Dave Araya sent a great ball through to Roberts but Sharrock was out quick to save at his feet.

For the second week running Spirit had failed to capitalise on their early dominates and the Reds began to get into the game, with Scott Devine instrumental in midfield.  Their first chance fell to Oliver Hilton, whose 20-yard shot flashed wide on 20 minutes.

Spirit continued to have the better chances, Jason Barrera sent a defence splitting pass to Roberts on the half hour, but again Sharrock was out quick to clear the danger. A long-range shot from Daryl Platten was well wide for the Reds while Jorquere fired wide for the Spirit, as both sides struggled in the final third and it was goalless at the break.

The home side started well after the break, with Kelly’s long-range shot wide but it was the Reds that had the best chance on 57 minutes. Marlon Ramirez’s close control in the penalty area set up Ryan Pearson, the youngsters’ goal bound shot from eight-yards was deflected wide.

The Reds were having their best period of the game and from Kodi Madeley’s cross from the left on the hour Joe Brunetto’s close-range header was saved by Steve Grant, and Hilton fired wide after good work from Pearson.   

The game took a twist on 80 minutes when Spirit’s Roberts was sent off by referee Ton Klaver, and the Reds pressed with Brunetto’s shot on the turn sixty seconds later well saved by Grant. In the last minute of normal time second half substitute Darren Kingston could have won it but his header was straight at Grant, and we were into extra time.

Spirit began the first period of extra time well and Luke Bake was in on goal but with only Sharrock to beat he fired wide. Ramirez was switched to defence and the youngster made a number of important challenges to keep the Reds in the contest.

The game took another twist in the 95th minute when Reds second half substitute Aaron Plaatjies was sent off and the home side took advantage with the winner in the 102nd minute. Barrera was sent clear by Jorquere and he fell under a challenge from Ramirez and referee Klaver pointed to the spot. Jorquere kept his nerve sending Sharrock the wrong way to give Spirit the lead.

Both sides had chances in the second period of extra time Kingston flick was saved by Grant for the Reds and Jorquere could have wrapped the game up for the Spirit when he was sent clear by Barrera, but Sharrock saved low.

Armadale pushed everyone up in the closing stages looking for the equaliser but were unable to score and it’s the Spirit who progress into the next round.

Teams
Fremantle Spirit – GK Grant, Jorquere, A. McBride (Kuppasumy 110), Barrera, Straker, Araya, Kelly (Doyle 118), Elton-Bott, Roberts, Bake, Hallums - Subs not used: D. McBride

Armadale – GK Sharrock, Bennion, Ramirez, Platten, Devine (Carmona 114), Pearson, Madeley, Brunetto, Hilton, Darby (Plaatjies 63), Anderson (Kingston 55) - Subs not used: Preece

Referee – Ton Klaver

Football West Reporter - Peter Simcox