Perth SC made it two wins from two games to start the 2025 NPLM season with a gritty 2-1 win over Fremantle City at Dorrien Gardens on Friday night.
Goals from young defender Luca Hirninger and winger Michael Scafetta sealed the win, but the game really should have been over at half-time.
The Azzurri dominated the first half but several missed chances and some good goalkeeping from Fremantle custodian Luke Radonich kept the visitors in the game.
Hirninger’s header from Ethan Banks’ corner in 21st minute was the only goal of the first half when the Azzurri should have been two to three goals to the good.
Perth SC were ruing the wasted first-half opportunities when former Azzurri striker Sam Cook equalised for Fremantle early in the second half.
However, the Azzurri bounced back just after the hour-mark, when Radonich made an excellent save from Gordon Perkins’ strike, but the ball fell into the path of Scafetta who slotted home into an empty net.
Fremantle were pressing for the equaliser and the task was made even more difficult for Perth SC when Kiwi defender Kurtis Mogg was sent off with about 20 minutes of the contest remaining.
Mogg was initially shown a yellow card by referee Stewart Beattie, who then changed the decision to a straight red after consulting with assistant referee Josh Mannella.
Substitute David Ninkovich had two great opportunities to take the game away from Fremantle, hitting the frame of the goal with one strike and having another well saved by Radonich.
Fremantle playmaker Charlie Chechlacz also had a strike shave the bar after Azzurri goalkeeper Mark Birighitti got his finger tips to it and defender Ben Steele struck over the bar after a goalmouth scramble when he should have hit the target.
There was confusion late in the game when Birighitti came out diving to pounce on a loose ball. The resulting collision with Cook ended up in referee Beattie booking Birighitti and conferencing with both assistants for several minutes.
Azzurri fans were holding their breath as Fremantle players pleaded for a penalty. It was not awarded and Perth SC hung on to the win and the three points after more than 100 minutes of football.
Perth SC now travel to Macedonia Park next Saturday for our first away fixture of the league season. Kick off is at 3pm.