Match Report By Bryan McVey

After a solid performance last week the BankWest Perth Saints came into the match hoping to keep the ball rolling and stroke up another win. From the outset it was going to be difficult with centre back Lee Wilkinson and right back Ryan Holdsworth unavailable for the game. With Mika Jones also sidelined the Saints turned to Martyn Potter to fill the centre back role along side Francesco Tornatore.

The game started at a fast pace with the Saints unable to retain possession of the ball for extended periods of time, and resorting to long ball tactics over the top to the pacey Troy Richards and Jarreth Tottman, whilst Spearwood were happy to soak it up by sitting deep and sending it straight back where it came from.  

On the 20 minute mark a well weighted through ball from the Spearwood midfield was latched onto by one of their strikers who went in one on one with Collins and slotted neatly into the bottom corner from 12 yards.

This goal seemed to spark the Saints into action and they managed to calm their game down and start to play football. Richards and Tottman were starting to cause problems for the Spearwood defence and had seen a few shots fly high and wide as the Saints pushed for the equaliser.

McVey had a great chance to equalise just before half time as the ball spilled to him after an initial shot from Richards, but he blasted the shot inches over when perhaps a little more composure was required.

Within minutes of the restart, Spearwood had extended their lead. A free kick was swung in and a mix up at the back saw Scott Richards take the ball away from Collins and as it came back off the post it was followed into the empty net by the advancing Spearwood striker.

The Saints sensed they would have to change their game with the defence midfield and strikers all linking up well rather than the long ball tactics of early on.

In the 60th minute Richards was put in by Doody for an excellent opportunity which he thumped home with two defenders bearing down on him. The keeper managed to get fingers to the shot, but the veracious strike was always net bound.

Soon after Potter almost opened his account for the season from a corner but his header sailed agonisingly over the bar.

The Saints then pulled one back to level the scores in the 68th minute after some excellent passing and build up. Tornatore collected the ball at the back and played it out left to Tony Doody, who put the ball through to Graham. The substitute then dinked his way past two players and sent an excellent through ball to the feet of Dan Doody who knocked it wide once more for McVey to slot home from a very tight angle.

Doody picked up a knock from this passage of play as Spearwood’s centre back, who also punched Richards in the jaw behind play, launched his studs into Doody’s thigh after he had played the ball.

Tornatore then prevented Spearwood from taking the lead after an initial save by Collins came to a Spearwood player 20 yards out but saw his shot blocked by an excellent goal line clearance.

The Saints then had the opportunity to take the lead as McVey played a ball into Doody which bounced off a Spearwood player’s leg only to be stopped by the outstretched keeper’s fingertips inches in front of the line

Spearwood took the lead again in the 80th minute from a corner as a mix up at the back saw the ball land at an attackers feet to tap home their third of the day.

The lead did not last long as the Saints scored two minutes later. Dan Doody went on a mazy run through defenders, eventually rounding the keeper and calmly slotting home.

The game finished 3-3 and the Saints feel as though they should have done better, but where happy with the result after going 2-0 down. The boys just need to focus early on to prevent conceding early goals.

Special mention to Martyn Potter who played an excellent game in the unfamiliar centre back role, winning everything in the air and making some timely tackles.

 April 28, 2008