Bayswater City claim third straight NPL title

It happened. It had been a question of 'when' rather than 'if' for some time now but, after 19 games, Bayswater City claimed their third straight WA NPL title with a 4-1 win over Perth Glory.

Still undefeated this season, Bayswater will look to take their form into the NPL Finals Series.

Around the grounds this week, every game was a goal fest with Stirling Lions' epic 5-4 win over ECU Joondalup a highlight whilst Perth SC handed Bayswater the title with their 5-2 thrashing of second-placed Floreat Athena.

Bayswater City 4 (Heagney 37’, Tong 66’, Marulanda 74’, 84’)
Perth Glory 1 (McDougall 38’)
Frank Drago Reserve

Bayswater wrapped up their third WA NPL title in a row in fine fashion, putting four past a battling Perth Glory outfit. A tight first half came alive late as David Heagney took the lead for Bayswater after converting Gustavo Giron Marulanda’s cross, only for Michael McDougall to immediately respond for the visitors. The Glory defended stoutly in the second half but Adam Tong broke their resistance just after the hour mark when he headed home Todd Howarth’s free kick. Marulanda made the points safe with 15 minutes to go with a composed finish, before the Columbian added a second soon after. 11 points clear with three games to play, the only question is, can they remain undefeated?

Perth SC 5 (Theodosiades 54’, Pritchard 59’, 70’, Furfaro 62’, Evans 82’)
Floreat Athena 2 (McMahon 30’, Burton 56’)
Dorrien Gardens

A five-goal second half from Perth saw them end Floreat's hopes of winning the league. The away side dominated the first half and went ahead when Lewis McMahon headed in after Francis Soale attempted to punch a cross clear. The game came to life after half time as a Nick Theodosiades tap in triggered a goal spree. Steve Burton poked home to restore the Floreat lead before Mark Pritchard equalized and Frank Furfaro gave the Sky Blues the lead. Furfaro then squared for Pritchard to score his second, the fifth goal in the space of just 16 minutes. Floreat strived to work their way back into the match but Dean Evans swept home late to officially end the visitors’ title hopes.

Inglewood United 1 (Keogh 31’)
Armadale 3 (Bealey 17’, Fuller 50’, Kingston 90+3’)
Inglewood Stadium

Armadale extended Inglewood’s poor run of form with a deserved two-goal win at Inglewood Stadium. Both teams had chances in an action-packed first half, as Jackson Bealey’s free kick gave the away side the lead before Kenny Keogh equalized with a superb solo goal. After the break, Jesse Fuller took advantage of some slack marking to head Armadale into the lead from a throw-in. Inglewood pushed numbers forward late in an attempt to rescue a point, but they were punished on the break, as Fuller rolled the ball to Darren Kingston to tap into an empty net.

Cockburn City 3 (O’Brien 21’, Patterson 43’, 90+2’)
Subiaco 2 (McMurray 8’, Coates 60’)
Dalmatinac Park

Rory Patterson’s injury time winner saw Cockburn prevail in a thrilling, five-goal encounter with Subiaco. Ian McMurray gave the away team the lead when Cockburn goalkeeper Jack Adams dropped a cross, but City drew level against the run of play when Harry O’Brien knocked home the rebound from a Patterson shot. McMurray had a header ruled out for an alleged push, and the decision became even more vital when Patterson took the lead on the stroke of half time. Cockburn pressed after the break and Owen Coates looked to have secured a point when he met Matthew Akehurst’s cross. But Patterson’s composed finish deep into injury time left Subiaco undeservedly heading home with nothing.

Balcatta 1 (Sammut 24’)
Sorrento 4 (Harnwell 10’, 54’, Canham 67’, Salter 86’)
Grindleford Reserve

Todd Harnwell’s brace enhanced Sorrento’s chances of a top-four finish whilst simultaneously ending Balcatta’s top-four aspirations. Harnwell stabbed home from close range early, before James Sammut finished off Steve Sokol’s good work to level the scores. It stayed that way until the second half, when Harnwell again converted from close range before Sean Canham rose highest to head home Darryl Platten’s free kick. Balcatta were given a lifeline when Danny Cain was sent off, but Kieron Stallard hit the post with the resultant penalty. Jack Salter made Balcatta pay for the miss, bundling the ball over the line late to clinch the win.

ECU Joondalup 4 (B. Montgomery 13’, Amphlett 42’, Own Goal 63’, Annis 90+1’)
Stirling Lions 5 (Patarov 19’, Quinncroft 41’, Malcolm 55’, 57’, Bowden-Hasse 86’)
ECU Joondalup Football Stadium

Stirling claimed their first win in four games, coming out on top in a nine-goal classic with ECU Joondalup. Bayley Montgomery’s great individual effort handed ECU the lead, but Alen Patarov responded soon after and Billy Quinncroft’s header gave the hosts the lead. Tommy Amphlett’s incredible long-range strike squared it up at half time, but Shane Malcolm’s quickfire double after the break handed Stirling the ascendency. Keylon Pollard forced an own goal with his first touch to close the gap and Jon Higgins’ free kick was centimetres away from equalizing for the hosts. Unfortunately for ECU, Nathan Bowden-Hasse’s late header sealed the win for the Lions, although Ollie Annis did grab a consolation.

Round 20 Fixtures
Armadale vs Perth SC
Perth Glory vs Balcatta
Stirling Lions vs Inglewood United
Sorrento vs Cockburn City
Subiaco vs ECU Joondalup
Floreat Athena vs Bayswater City