Inglewood United’s finals hopes have been dealt a major blow with Perth SC snatching a last-gasp 2-1 win this afternoon at Dorrien Gardens. The loss puts Andy Keogh’s team down to sixth on the ladder and needing to win their final two regular season games, while hoping results elsewhere go in their favour, to sneak into the top four.
A strong opening by Perth was rewarded with an 8th minute lead when Niccolo Sabatini slid low across goalkeeper Alex Dunn after getting past the last defender. Inglewood conjured a stunning equaliser within seconds of the restart, Brian Farrell’s thunderbolt from distance soaring into the top corner of Francis Soale’s goal.
But that was as good as the first half got for Inglewood as Perth went on to dominate both possession and territory. In fact, the game would have been over at the break if not for Dunn, who was at full-stretch in pushing away Harley Orr’s header and produced a superb reflex save to deny Rocco Pizzata.
Dunn continued to frustrate the home side after the break, blocking Nicholas Ambrogo’s close-range effort on 56 minutes. Inglewood were starting to gain the upper hand and increasingly asking questions of their opponents’ defences. In quick succession Kenny Keogh then Brian Woodall brought good saves out of Soale.
Jamie Murphys struck low across the face of goal and Salmon dropped a dead ball onto the roof of the net. Perth were also pressing, Dunn touching Frank Furfaros’ centre away from Matthew Milenkovic. The game was deep in stoppage time when Paul Zimarino posted the winner after the ball was turned over in the middle of the park.
Match stats
Perth SC 2 (Niccolo Sabatini 8, Paul Zimarino 92)
Inglewood United 1 (Brian Farrell 9)
Perth SC: Francis Soale, Jordan De Leo, Rocco Pizzata, Tom King, Alex Silla, Harley Orr, Nicholas Ambrogio, Kristian Santich (Paul Zimarino 70), Niccolo Sabatini (Frank Furfaro 78), Matthew Milenkovic, Gustavo Cataricione
Inglewood United: Alex Dunn, Alex Ishida-Livings, Connor Becsi, Scott Blackmore, Rikki Smith (Jamie Murphy 46), Jason Barrera, Brian Farrell, Ellis Healing (Ash Rosindale 72), Kenny Keogh, Brian Woodall, Alex Salmon
Bookings: Smith (30), Silla (71)
Dismissals: Nil
