METRO SDV1 : Canning City 2 - 1 Perth Saints

Perth Saints travelled to Willetton Reserve for their final fixture with nothing much to play for after a disappointing second half of the season that has seen the team only add 9 points in 10 games.

The side was boosted by the inclusion of first team players Dan Doody and Jimmy Guiney keen to have a run before their Cup Final in 2 weeks.

The early signs were not good for the Saints with the change rooms locked and the opposition nowhere in sight, after standing around for 30 minutes the team was located on the far side of the ground and the Saints trudged over to get changed on the grassy knoll in full view of all and sundry, given the size of this ground with 6 marked pitches it is extremely disappointing that the facilities are not up to scratch.

The new away strip was unveiled and the players took the field for the final time this season, Mika Jones was moved forward after some consistent pleading for a more attacking role in the team, Jones has been a rock in defence all year and he was duly rewarded for his efforts, Dan Doody started in the middle of midfield and Adam Reynolds started forward needing a hat trick to claim the prized Golden Boot from Adrian Tedeschi who was so confident of winning that he sat this one out.

It was Groundhog Day again on the field with the Saints controlling the game early without troubling the goalkeeper, the emphasis on the field seemed to be on getting service to Reynolds when better opportunities were on offer, the best chance of the half fell to Jones whose diving header sailed just wide.

At the other end of the ground the Canning keeper was pumping the ball long with the wind and putting the Saints defence under constant pressure, Drew Wright was solid at Centre Half and he was well supported by Josh van Moorsel at left back repelling a number of attacks, Guiney was also playing a great game as keeper for the day and his input and verbal support were invaluable.

The half time whistle went and the game was locked at 0-0 with both teams seemingly happy to see the end of the season.

A more traditional line up was employed for the start of the second half with Dan Doody upfront and Reynolds moved to the middle of midfield, Jez Bishop came on for his second run of the season and the team had a better look to it from the opening whistle.

The Saints again had the better of the early exchanges with Dan Doody a constant threat although his radar was well off target, the signs then were good and it seemed to be only a matter of time before the small crowd saw an opening goal, unfortunately for the Saints it was Canning that opened the scoring afterthe Saints  failed to clear ther lines and the pony tailed number 11 made them pay with a well taken goal from 18 yards beating Guiney to his right.

This seemed to give the visitors a much needed lift and they were soon back in control with a fine strike from Vince Leahy parried into the path of Dan Doody who uncharacteristically missed from 6 yards out hitting the right post in what was later voted as the miss of the season much to the relief of Ryder and Blakey who were leading contenders.

Doody unhappy with his effort had another chance 5 minutes later when he struck the ball from 18 yards beating the keeper all ends up only to see the ball hit the crossbar this time, it was surely not his day but not to be detterred he kept up his work ethic and strode through several weak Canning challenges 10 minutes later only to be brought down in the box and the referee pointed to the spot.

Doody stepped aside to allow Reynolds to take the kick and he despatched the ball into the net to restore parity and close the Golden Boot margin to 1 with 20 minutes to play.

Canning were not going to lie down and they pushed forward at every opportunity, one speculative sortie saw the ball bobbling around the 6 yard line with 2 chances missed to clear the ball the number 11 toe poked the ball home to give the home side a 2-1 lead with 15 minutes left.

Canning put numbers behind the ball from here and the Saints were made to work hard to try and get something from the game, it wasn't to be their day again and the final whistle brought down the curtain on a very disappointing end to the season.

COACHES BEST : Guiney,van Moorsel,Wright and Dan Doody

SPOTTED ; Jareth Tottman and Allan,thanks for the support guys

NOT SPOTTED : The rest of the Premier Team who have been well supported all season by the SDV1 side