Match Report By Ben Fitzpatrick

Perth Saints Premier recorded their equal worst defeat in the teams six season history with an 8-0 mauling at the hands of last year’s champions Canning City.

It was a dark day for the club, with Scott Fletcher sensationally quitting the team hours before kickoff in what was literally the calm before the storm.

Saints had a virtual full complement available, with three on the bench and went into the game optimistic of getting a result against a tough Canning side.

Sean Morgan comically forgot his shin pads and refused to take the field at the beginning of the match forcing the team into a reshuffle at the back where Morgan was set to make his centre back debut. Big Anthony also repeated his trick of turning up after kick off to further the headache for the coaching staff.

Despite the setbacks, the first 20 minutes were even with both sides having a few half chances on the tiny pitch. Wide play was difficult with the soft boggy pitch despite a lush covering of green stuff.

Dom Hodnett subbed on and just as quickly subbed off with a calf tear after 30 seconds on the pitch to end his game and perhaps next month of football.

On 30 minutes the City slickers took the lead when a goal kick to halfway was headed back from where it came by City and with the defence parting like Moses had come from above, the striker was left with an easy strike past Justin Forbes in goal.

Five minutes before half time the trick was repeated in similar circumstances, the Canning striker waltzing through the middle to slot home while another shot smashed off the cross bar.

At the other end all the Saints had to show for the half was a couple of half chance shots and one corner that almost deceived the keeper.

While the half time talk remained positive, the game was all but over within five minutes of the restart as the Saints succumbed meekly, unable to show any of that once famous Saints Spirit the team and club was known for.

A heavy Canning player was moving towards the corner flag and by-line when he was dumped to the ground by James Walker who unfortunately got none of the ball, with the referee pointing immediately to the spot. Forbes had no chance and it was 3-0.

Almost immediately from kickoff, it was 4-0 when Walker lost possession short of halfway and before you could say ‘game over’ a weak shot had bobbled inside the post to leave the Saints scratching their heads in bewilderment.

The fifth goal came from a long throw into the box, the attacker heading into the net from four yards after marking that could best be described as “loose”.

Up the other end Sean Morgan hit the post with a shot following a corner and the resulting goal mouth scramble saw a shot blocked on the line before City could clear.

Walker then smashed the other post with a fine long range shot from a blocked free kick with some desperate last ditch tackling from the solid Canning defence prevented further saves from having to be made by the home keeper.

It got embarrassing for the Saints when a combination of Troy Cappellucci block and Forbes save saw the ball balloon into the air and with the inexperienced keeper not sure whether to pick the ball up only succeed in clearing it into a Canning attacker with the rebound bouncing into the net.

Morgan gave away a professional foul and what should probably have been a red card when he hauled back a Canning attacker who was through on goal, the referee awarding another penalty which was dispatched with ease.

A large dose of salt was rubbed into the Saints gaping wounds when substitute keeper Fitzpatrick, on for the injured Forbes, was beaten from just inside halfway after the Saints lost the ball and the wild clearance forward floated and dropped into the top corner with the keeper floundering.

Thankfully the referee applied the mercy rule and blew for full time in what was the Saints equal worst ever loss, the same score line as twin losses to North Lake in 2004.

The next match against Brooklands won’t get any easier for the boys in blue and unless the resolve and strength of seasons gone by returns, it could turn into a very long season for the Saints “premier”.

 

May 5, 2009