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The clash did not disappoint, as Bayswater overcame a first-half deficit to emphatically claim outright ownership of first place. Meanwhile, Perth SC and Balcatta overcame tough challenges from the bottom two sides, Armadale and Perth Glory, and Inglewood continued their surge up the table.
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Floreat Athena 1 (McMahon 40’ PEN)
Frank Drago Reserve
A second-half salvo from the hosts saw Bayswater triumph in the top-of-the-table clash with Floreat. Both teams had their chances in the first half, but the breakthrough came just before the break, when Todd Howarth was adjudged to have handballed in the box and Floreat skipper Lewis McMahon converted the penalty for Athena. However, substitute Borbor Sam sparked a revival when he crossed for David Heagney to tap home, before City took the lead through Danny Dixon. Ten minutes later, Howarth’s long-range effort found the net via a deflection to seal an important three points for Bayswater and hand Floreat their first loss of the season.
Perth SC 5 (Keltie 2’, Da Luz 15’, Coelho 65’, 90’, Orr 89’)
Armadale 2 (Loveless 48’, Bealey 60’ PEN)
Dorrien Gardens
Perth let slip a two goal lead before roaring back to pour more misery on a still-winless Armadale. Clark Keltie headed home after just two minutes to give the Azzuri the lead and they grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck when Aden Da Luz tapped in after Dylan Wilson was unable to hold Dean Evans’ shot. However, Sam Loveless pulled a goal back for Armadale after half-time, before Jackson Bealey converted from the penalty spot to level the scores. Alas for the visitors, substitute Carlo Coelho restored the host’s lead, despite appeals for offside in the lead-up, and Harley Orr doubled their advantage once more. Coelho grabbed his brace as the game neared its end, capitalizing on a defensive mistake to confirm the victory for Perth.
Balcatta 3 (Catarcion 54’, 85’, Caceres 74’)
Perth Glory 2 (Talimdziovski 27’, Vulin 42’)
Grindleford Reserve
Balcatta came from two-goals down at half time to claim all three points over a gutsy Perth Glory. Nic Talimdziovski’s header gave the lowly Glory a surprise lead, and Slobodan Vulin’s penalty just prior to half-time further stunned Balcatta . After receiving the hairdryer treatment from coach Ramon Falzon at the break, the hosts returned fired up, and the turning point came courtesy of a controversial second yellow card to Calvin Whitney. Minutes later, Gustavo Catarcione headed home to begin the comeback, although Talimdziovski had a second goal disallowed for a foul up the other end. The decision proved critical, when ex-Glory player Adrian Caceres curled home, before Catarcione struck five minutes before the final whistle to break Perth’s hearts.
Cockburn City 1 (Carroll 80’)
Sorrento 1 (Canham 90+1’)
Dalmatinac Park
An injury-time equalizer to ex-Notts County and Exeter City striker Sean Canham secured a point for Sorrento against an in-form Cockburn. The visitors had the better of the opening half, with Canham and Jordan Dodd having the best chances. Each team’s respective custodians, Curtis Aspden and James Morgan, kept their sides in it as the game opened up in the second half. Despite Sorrento looking the stronger of the two sides, Cockburn’s Rory Patterson’s had a goal ruled out by the linesman, before the hosts took the lead through an Alan Carroll header with ten minutes remaining. However, just as it looked like Cockburn would emerge victorious, Canham tucked home Todd Harnwell’s cross to claim a more than deserved point for Sorrento.
Inglewood United 2 (Micevski 36’, Gould 78’)
Stirling Lions 0
Inglewood Stadium
Inglewood continued their good run of form with a well-earned victory over 3rd placed Stirling. Despite some early pressure, Stirling were unable to capitalize, with Teeboy Kamara missing the best chance for the away side. David Micevski showed them how it was done just before half-time when he latched onto Kenny Keogh’s cross. Despite second half chances for Robert Petkov and Kamara, the Lions were unable to find their rhythm and the points were sealed by Inglewood late in the second half through a Tim Gould volley.
ECU Joondalup 1 (Miller 29’)
Subiaco 2 (White 48’, 85’)
ECU Joondalup Football Stadium
A brace from Kevin White powered Subiaco to their second win of the season. Paul Miller’s free kick on the half-hour mark gave ECU the lead heading into the break, but White’s headed goal straight after half-time gave the visitors hope. Jackson Booysen and Nathan Diaz came close to taking the lead for Subiaco, but it was left to White, five minutes from time, to volley home and claim three massive points.
Round 10
Armadale vs Bayswater City
Cockburn City vs ECU Joondalup
Inglewood United vs Subiaco
Sorrento vs Perth Glory
Floreat Athena vs Balcatta
Perth SC vs Stirling Lions