Balcatta stunned Perth SC with a 1-0 win at Dorrien Gardens to take the Ferrari Cup in NPLWA soccer action on Saturday afternoon.
The defeat cost Perth SC top spot in the league as Calum O’Connell’s goal on 65 minutes consigned the Azzurri to their first defeat since Round One.
Balcatta coach Goran Stajic was very happy with his team’s performance and work rate after they secured their fourth successive win.
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READ NOW“You can’t take much away from Perth; it was just one moment that cost them and we took it. I think the result was deserved,” he said.
That decisive moment came when Balcatta midfielder Jonathan Corness made a darting run into the Perth box.
Perth goalkeeper Daniel Passarelli came out quickly to block, but the ball was deflected back towards his own goal and O’Connell just managed to get his shot over the line as the Azzurri defenders closed in.
Perth took top spot in the league last week with a big away victory at rivals Bayswater City, but they struggled to impose themselves against a solid Balcatta defence.
Nicholas Ambrogio had the opportunity to give the Azzurri the lead halfway through the first half but saw his powerful effort from outside the box saved brilliantly by Balcatta keeper Domenico Savoldelli.
Early in the second half Perth striker Gustavo Catarcione had a great chance but he sent his shot wide from close range.
After falling behind, Perth piled men forward to try to find an equalising goal, however Balcatta’s defence held firm with Savoldelli making another great save in the third minute of stoppage from Perth SC substitute Richard Howles’ header to ensure his side sealed the points.
“That’s our first clean sheet of the year,” Stajic added.
“I can’t name any names; it was the whole defence who worked today.”
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