Match Report By Ben Fitzpatrick

The Perth Saints Social Premier side had their first hit out against a tough and talented WA Ex-State & International Masters Side at Len Shearer on Sunday.

The Masters will be representing WA and Australia at the Seniors World Cup in Thailand in late April and are comprised of a who's who of former State League, professional and International players including Robbie Zabica, Alan McKenzie and Peter Murphy.

The Masters in their yellow and gold strips took the early ascendancy as the Saints, in their first pre-season fixture took time to get the rust out of their systems.

As could be expected, the experience and tactical nouse of the old boys was soon evident as they dominated possession and worked the ball around looking for an opening.

Despite the pressure, the defence of Sevo, Hodnett, Fitzpatrick and Jones stood firm for the first 20 minutes, content to sit back and mop up once the ball got within sight of the penalty area.

At the other end, Anthony Triscari saw a ferocious left foot strike cannon off the post with Zabica flapping after an inch perfect through ball from Dave Murray released the big man.

The old boys took the lead on 23 minutes after a corner that was cleared was whipped back in by Alan McKenzie, with a Masters player on hand to glance a header home from six yards.

No sooner had the game restarted than the Saints found themselves down two nil, after referee Mark Ritchie penalised new boy Francesco Tornatore for hand ball in the area, after a throw in bounced into his hand.

Former State League player and Armadale coach Peter Murphy stepped up and slammed the ball into the net, giving Richards no chance.

Masters keeper Zabica was largely untested for the remainder of the first half but was called on to make some fine saves in the second half as the Saints began to find their rhythm.

At the other end Richards was aware to thwart some dangerous opportunities with the Masters playing more on the counter before the Saints won their own penalty, Frank Houston knocking over Ben Fitzpatrick during an attempted header from a corner. Scott Fletcher sent the sub keeper the wrong way to bring the Saints to within a goal.

With Masters legs tiring, the Saints were hunting for a late equaliser and it came after an Alex Vaughan corner kick was curled directly into the top corner with the height challenged substitute keeper flapping at thin air.

In the end a satisfactory first up performance from the boys in blue. Whilst the score line was not an important factor, it allowed the boys a run out as coach Brett Lambert assesses his squad before kick off on April 6.

March 18, 2008