Gustavo Catarcione’s late header won The West Australian Top Four Cup for Perth Soccer Club as they completed a PlayStation 4 NPL WA double with a 1-0 win over Inglewood United.
Catarcione’s header came seven minutes from time and somewhat against the run of play as Inglewood had the better of the second-half chances following a scratchy first half.
Perth skipper Clark Keltie was delighted to lift the trophy having led a relatively young squad to the league title and Top Four Cup success.
“It’s unbelievable to be honest,” he said. “The boys have proved time and time again that they’re capable of getting the result and over the course of the season I think we’ve deserved that.”
“The young boys are honest and have listened to what they’ve been told all season and held their own against a more experienced, hardened side by keeping their shape and sticking to the game plan.”
Keltie also reserved praise for coach Ramon Falzon, who joined the club mid-season following the departure of Gareth Naven to Melbourne Victory.
“Ramon goes about his business quietly. He’s humble, modest and doesn’t really scream and shout,” he said.
“He hasn’t really changed the foundations that were set by Gareth, who played a massive part of the season, but Ramon has kept the wheels rolling and has been fantastic for the club.”
Falzon admitted his side weathered a storm at times but wasn’t surprised with the resilience his side showed.
“It was very similar to last week (in the Major Semi-Final) when Inglewood pushed on us in the second half,” he said. “But we’ve absorbed pressure well throughout the season and clean sheets are a fundamental part of the game.”
Despite playing a third game in a week with the previous two going all the way to penalties, it was Inglewood that came out of the blocks quickly and had an opportunity in the first minute as Woodall headed over John Migas’ cross.
The first half was particularly disjointed with Perth’s best effort coming through Aleksander Jovic, who drove just wide from 18m.
United’s best effort came on the stroke of half time as Woodall curled a free kick just wide from the edge of the area.
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