In a gripping cup encounter at North Inch Perth on 6th September 2025, St Johns FC faced a challenging battle against Albert AFC, ultimately succumbing to a narrow defeat with a final score of 3-4. The match, which kicked off at 2:00 PM, showcased a rollercoaster of emotions as both teams fought fiercely for progression in the tournament.
St Johns FC lined up in a traditional 4-4-2 formation, designed to provide a solid defensive base while allowing for quick transitions into attack. Thomas Morrow took his place in goal, shielded by a back four comprising Colin MacDonald on the right, Darrel Hynd and Jake Stewart in central defence, and Sean Davidson on the left. The midfield was structured with Dale Walker and Ally Alcorn providing width on the right and left flanks respectively, while Darren Davidson and Sam Jackson operated centrally, tasked with linking play and supporting the forwards. Up front, Bob Irving and Kai Finnie were positioned as the two strikers, expected to exploit any defensive lapses from the opposition.
The substitutes for St Johns FC included Mark Mcleod, Gary Collier, Dale Colman, and Steve Stewart, who would be called upon to make an impact as the match progressed.
The match began with Albert AFC asserting their dominance early on, and it wasn't long before they found the back of the net. In the 18th minute, the visitors struck first, taking a 1-0 lead that set the tone for the first half. Just 12 minutes later, Albert AFC doubled their advantage, scoring again in the 30th minute, leaving St Johns FC reeling. The home side struggled to respond as Albert AFC continued to apply pressure, and in the 32nd minute, they found the net once more, extending their lead to 3-0.
St Johns FC's woes deepened when Albert AFC scored again in the 41st minute, making it 4-0 before the half-time whistle blew. The home side faced a daunting task as they headed into the break, needing a significant turnaround to salvage their cup hopes.
In a bid to change the course of the match, St Johns FC made two substitutions at half-time. Mark Mcleod replaced Bob Irving, and Gary Collier came on for Jake Stewart, as the team looked to inject fresh energy into their performance.
The second half began with renewed vigour from St Johns FC, and just four minutes in, Kai Finnie scored a crucial goal in the 49th minute, giving the home side a glimmer of hope. Finnie struck again in the 56th minute, bringing the score to 4-2 and igniting the crowd's enthusiasm.
As the match progressed, St Johns FC continued to push forward, and in the 63rd minute, Dale Walker made way for Dale Colman, further altering the dynamics of the midfield. The home side's persistence paid off when Steve Stewart, who had come on for Sean Davidson in the 72nd minute, found the net in the 73rd minute, narrowing the deficit to 4-3.
With time running out, St Johns FC pressed for an equaliser, but despite their best efforts, they could not find the crucial goal. The match concluded with Albert AFC holding on to their slender lead, securing a hard-fought victory in this thrilling cup tie. The home side's spirited second-half performance will give them hope as they look to bounce back in their upcoming fixtures.
