Soccer Pools Cup Round 2: ECU Joondalup v Perth SC

Round 2 of the Soccer Pools Cup kicked off on Saturday May 30 with a number of interesting fixtures including the all Premier league clash between ECU Joondalup and Perth SC at the ECU Joondalup campus.

Both teams were missing a number of regulars with Joondalup without the services of Comyn-Platt, Stevie Porter, John Walmsley (injured) whilst central midfield dynamo Scott Bushby has returned to the UK for the remainder of the season.

Perth SC were without David Onoforo (away on business), Greg Sharland, Matt Danskin, Antonio Naglieri (injury) and Ian McMurray who was cup-tied.

The game started slowly with the majority of the play in the middle of the park as both teams settled in the warm autumn sunshine. The only chances for either side were the result of set pieces from corner kicks.

On 23 minutes ECU Joondalup went ahead as a crossfield pass from Ryan Williams found Greg Josling in space wide on the right. Josling set off towards the Perth goal cutting inside two Perth defenders with a delighful drop of the shoulder before curling the ball into the top left corner of the net.

Perth were nearly level soon after as Todd Howarth curled a freekick across the Joondalup penalty area which Ollie Swords managed to get a head to, however, the right sided midfielder did not make sufficient contact to test Joondalup keeper Davvyd Jones.

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Joondalup striker Tommy Amphlett could have added to the home side’s lead as he turned his marker inside the Perth penalty area. Amphlett’s effort though went into the side netting.

Towards the break Perth began to gain control which, as it happens, was an ominous warning of what was to come in a devastating second half from the league leaders.

Perth were back on level terms on 51 minutes as a corner from the left was partially cleared. The ball fell to Perth’s Todd Howarth inside the 6 yard box and the midfielder executed a cheeky backheel which went through the legs of Jones and edged across the goal line.

Perth should have been in front moments later as striker Phil Arnold missed a gilt edged chance from close range against his old club much to the chagrin of Perth coach Graham Normanton.

Arnold was to atone for his mistake moments later as he was fastest to a rebound off fellow striker Genaveo Human. Arnold was given what seems like ages by the Joondalup defence to place his shot and he made no mistake curling the ball bast Jones for a 2-1 scoreline to Perth.

Perth sewed up the points on 61 minutes as Ollie Swords drove past Joondalup’s John Higgins to square the ball across the goal mouth for Arnold arriving late at the far post to steer the ball off Jones and into the empty net.

Perth finished off the scoring in the 81st minute as Human found Arnold who outpaced his marker to place the ball wide of Jones to complete his hat trick.