NPL WA Week 2 Wrap

As the dust settled from Round 2 of the WA NPL, only Bayswater and Balcatta kept their 100% records intact. Perth Glory and Floreat Athena got their seasons off to a winning start after not playing last week, whilst it was bad news for Armadale, ECU Joondalup and Subiaco, who all slipped to consecutive losses.

This week’s action was the first of two games this long weekend for all teams, as they geared up for their first FFA Cup games of the season on Easter Monday.

Armadale 1 (Machochi 32’)
Perth Glory 4 (Knowles 17’, 53’, 89’ Pen, Valentini 81’)
Alfred Skeet Reserve

A Joe Knowles hattrick powered Perth Glory Youth to victory in their first game of the season. The striker grabbed his first early on, before a goal from Faustin Machochi saw the sides reach half time level. However, Stefan Valentini’s second half trike, sandwiched between two more goals from Knowles (including a penalty late in the game), saw the Glory walk away with all three points.


Balcatta 2 (Quinn 2’, Catarcione 27’)
Subiaco 1 (McMurray 76’)
Grindleford Reserve

Balcatta kept to their winning start to the season with two first half goals against Subiaco. Patrick Quinn got the home side off to a fast start, before a second on the half hour mark from Gustavo Catarcione put them well in control. Subiaco pulled one back through Ian McMurray, but it wasn’t enough to grab a share of the points. The win put Balcatta 2nd behind Bayswater on goal difference.


ECU Joondalup 1 (Amphlett 90+1’)
Bayswater City 3 (Howarth 3’, Heagney 16’, Doyle 45+2’)
ECU Joondalup Football Stadium

It was “ex-Perth Glory Player Day” in Joondalup, as three former Glory servants netted goals. Bayswater skipper Todd Howarth got Bayswater off to a flyer before David Heagney added a second soon after. The visitors were denied a third from the spot following a good save by ECU’s Jamie Serra, but Hayden Doyle’s goal prior to half time made up for it. A dismal day for the hosts continued when Stuart Montgomery was shown his marching orders, although Tommy Amphlett grabbed a consolation in injury time.


Inglewood United 1 (Sharland 90+4’ Pen)
Perth SC 1 (Theodosaides 46’)
Inglewood Stadium

Greg Sharland retired in the best way possible, scoring an injury-time penalty to grab a share of the points in his farewell game. Andreas Theodosiades’ long range effort looked to have won it for Perth, who held firm under a barrage of attacks from Inglewood. But when David Seasy was felled in the box, it allowed for a fairy-tale ending to a wonderful career for Sharland, who made no mistake.


Cockburn City 1 (Patterson 17’)
Floreat Athena 3 (Govan 57’, Boi 59’, Gate 75’)
Dalmatinac Park

Floreat kicked off their campaign with a second half flourish which put the rest of the league on notice. The home took the lead through Rory Paterson after a quarter of an hour played, and managed to hold the lead until halftime. But three goals in 17 minutes from Blair Govan, Ludovic Boi and Kris Gate saw Athena run out deserved winners.


Sorrento 1 (Mirco 51’)
Stirling Lions 3 (Micevski 24’, Martin 32’, Kamara 46’)
Percy Doyle Reserve

A 10-man Stirling outfit held off Sorrento to claim their first win of the season. First half strikes from Daniel Micevski and Brodie Martin gave the Lions the lead at the break, and their advantage was added to in the second half by Teeboy Kamara. Sorrento found their way back into the game through Jason Mirco’s free kick, but the away side overcame Martin’s red card to see out the game.


Round 3 Fixtures
Floreat Athena vs Armadale
ECU Joondalup vs Balcatta
Bayswater City vs Inglewood United
Perth Glory vs Stirling Lions
Subiaco vs Sorrento
Cockburn vs Perth SC