The NPL WA Men’s action over the weekend saw plenty of great goals, red cards, and upsets; catch up on all the results below.
Olympic Kingsway SC vs Cockburn City
Cockburn City returned to winning ways with a convincing 3-1 victory over Olympic Kingsway.
Friday Zico scored inside the first ten minutes of his return to the starting lineup to give his side the lead.
They then extended their lead in the second half through a back-post volley from Ivan Skorich.
Kingsway substitute Oscar Barry made an immediate impact in the 49th minute with a deft run through the heart of City’s defense, resulting in an own goal from Levi Petersen.
But Steve McDonald’s men would have the last laugh, as Luka Caceres capitalized on Kingsway captain Shane Cassidy’s blunders to put the game out of reach and send David Tough’s men back down to the bottom of the league.
Inglewood United vs Perth Glory
Fans at Inglewood Stadium were treated to a blockbuster match, in which the home team took all three points thanks to late heroics from Michael Domfeh.
Inglewood’s Ishida-Livings opened the scoring in the 15th minute, but Daniel Bennie equalized for the visitors minutes later.
Despite Jayden Gordman’s late goal to cut the lead to one, goals from Kisesa and White earlier in the half ensured the home side would go into the break with a lead.
As the second half progressed evenly, both sides created chances, but it was a blunder by Alexander Dunn that allowed Perth to draw level, as Prinsloo’s relatively tame shot found its way between the goalkeeper’s legs.
Glory, however, couldn’t hold on as just three minutes later, strong play from danger-man Domfeh inside the box and a thumping finish meant Andres Oliveira’s side took all three points.
Armadale SC vs Perth Redstar
Perth Redstar have earned their second win of the season over a uninspired Armadale side.
The visitors took the lead after forward Daryl Nicol converted a whipped corner into the near post against an unmoved Yousri Gharsallah. But Chris Jackson leveled the game soon after with his fourth goal of the season, firing past debutante Liam Reddy.
Redstar though would score two goals before halftime, owing to a George Ballah own goal and a Chok Dau near-post finish.
Continuing in the same vein as the half prior, Callum Salmon’s side increased their lead to five by the 70th minute thanks to a tap-in by Ryan Finnie at the back-post and two thunderous strikes by Daryl Nicol to earn himself a hat-trick.
Balcatta vs Bayswater City
There were no memorable late comebacks at Grindleford Reserve as Bayswater City easily defeated Balcatta 2-0.
To the bewilderment of the crowd, Cameron Edwards scored directly from a corner in the 30th minute to make it 1-0.
Gordon Smith’s composed finish after keeper Caelan Copper’s failed clearance in the 60th minute increased the score to 2-0, which it finished at.
Perth SC vs Floreat Athena
A last-minute Samuel Cook goal secured an important victory for Perth SC over Floreat Athena at Dorrien Gardens on Saturday afternoon.
In a tight first half, it took a moment of magic from Jeremie Mba to break the deadlock: he skillfully dribbled past three players before hammering the ball beyond Jason Saldaris.
In the 75th minute, with the scores separated by a single goal, Vas Vujacic carried out a masterstroke of his own by sending on Chris Saldaris, who scored almost immediately with his first touch, leveling the scores.
Not long after, following a quick counter-attack, Alexander Christodoulakis’ ill-timed last-ditch tackle in the box meant he was the first to see red. Then, just moments later, Phil Arnold was also ejected from the game, supposedly for attempting to off-put Perth’s penalty taker.
With numerous interruptions and protests, penalty taker Hasani Sinclair finally took aim at the Floreat goal, and although Jason Saldaris guessed correctly and saved, much to the delight of the home fans, Samuel Cook was there to tap the ball in to an empty net.
This fiery encounter ultimately ended after Denis Galan’s sending off, which meant Athena finished the game with only eight men.
Sorrento vs Stirling Macedonia
Stirling Macedonia bounced back from their Round Four defeat with a 2-1 victory “away” to Sorrento.
James McGowan rose the highest and guided the ball past Patrick Hughes following Ryan Malton’s expert delivery into the box to give his side a well-deserved lead.
Joe Tweats equalised for the Gulls in the 43rd minute, but Asher Nelson’s curling strike from distance in the 65th minute proved to be the match-winner.
Results
Olympic Kingsway 1-3 Cockburn
Inglewood 4-3 Perth Glory U21
Armadale SC 1-6 Perth RedStar
Balcatta 0-2 Bayswater City
Perth SC 2-1 Floreat Athena
Sorrento 1-2 Stirling Macedonia
