WASL: Balcatta close in on the title

Balcatta 2-0 Cockburn City:

League leaders Balcatta secured a routine 2-0 victory at home to bottom placed Cockburn City. Balcatta dominated the opening half but it took them until the 45^th minute to open their account. A cross-turned-shot from Daniel Micevski found its way into the net after some confusion in the Cockburn defence. Christopher Thackray doubled Balcatta’s lead in the 56^th minute as he volleyed past Michael Petkovic. It meant Balcatta were able to cruise towards another victory and open up a 14 point break at the top of the table. Cockburn remain rooted to the bottom of the table.

Mandurah City 2-0 ECU Joondalup:

Relegation threatened Mandurah City secured a much-needed victory by defeating ECU Joondalup 2-0 at Hyundai Stadium. After a frantic opening period the game began to slow heading towards half-time. But Aaron Dos Santos brought the game to life in the 39^th minute by curling a shot past ECU custodian Andy Banks. Both sides had chances in the second half, but Garin Collins secured the winner for the Dolphins in the 85^th minute, capping off an improved performance for Mandurah. They will need more of them if they are to stave off relegation.

Stirling Lions 2-2 Inglewood United:

Stirling Lions and Inglewood United played out a very entertaining 2-2 draw at Macedonia Park. The sides were both in the top five coming into the clash, and victory would just about secure them a place in the finals. Jamie Watt opened the scoring in the 14^th minute after a disappointing start to the game from both sides. Ndumba Makeche equalised in the 22^nd minute for Inglewood with a thumping shot into the roof of the net. Stirling’s Andy Brown was sent off in the 38^th minute after what the referee deemed a studs up challenge. In the 66^th minute Inglewood’s James Duncan unfortunately suffered a broken leg after a 50/50 challenge. Just four minutes later Rory Grant headed in an Adrian Caceres cross to give United the lead. But in the 89^th minute Watt found space in the box from a throw-in and secured a share of the spoils for Stirling. Both sides remain in finals contention.

Sorrento 2-2 Bayswater City:

Sorrento and Bayswater also shared the spoils in an enthralling clash at Percy Doyle Reserve. Bayswater started the brighter but a counter attack in the 16^th minute saw the Gulls take the lead through Todd Harnwell. Bayswater created most of the chances and got their reward in the 58^th minute through a cracking strike from Gavin Knight. Sorrento’s David Price was sent off in the 76^th minute and it seemed to give Bayswater the edge. A handball from Danny Cain in the 80^th minute saw Bayswater awarded a penalty. The league’s leading marksman Gustavo Marulanda converted his 15^th of the season past Curtis Aspden. Cain was to make amends however, volleying home in stoppage time to rescue a point for his side. Sorrento remain in strong contention for a finals spot but Bayswater’s task has become that bit harder.

Perth SC 0-3 Floreat Athena:

Floreat Athena have secured a stunning 3-0 victory over Perth at Dorrien Gardens. It was a dominating display from Athena from start to finish, with such a result rarely achieved against Perth. Paul Van Dongen opened the scoring in the 30^th minute. Athena took that lead into the break, before Van Dongen netted his double in the 68^th minute. Daniel Trevisiol scored the third in the 90^th minute. It means Floreat can set themselves up for a strong finals assault, while Perth remain in second, but the gap between them and Balcatta is now 14 points.



That Was A Goal is a Western Australia based podcast and website. Over the WA 'All Flags' State League season The Football Sack in conjunction with That Was A Goal will provide a weekly review of the round that was.

POS	TEAM	P	W	D	L	For	Agst	GD	PTS
1	Balcatta SC	19	16	0	3	49	15	34	48
2	Perth SC	17	11	1	5	33	21	12	34
3	Western Knights	17	8	4	5	26	25	1	28
4	Inglewood United	17	8	3	6	38	29	9	27
5	Stirling Lions	19	8	3	8	35	33	2	27
6	Sorrento FC	17	7	5	5	25	24	1	26
7	Floreat Athena FC	17	7	4	6	31	25	6	25
8	Bayswater City	19	6	7	6	33	35	-2	25
9	ECU Joondalup	19	6	2	11	20	36	-16	20
10	Armadale SC	17	5	2	10	24	36	-12	17
11	Mandurah City	19	4	3	12	17	29	-12	15
12	Cockburn City	17	3	2	12	23	46	-23	11