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Despite the title being out of reach for everyone else, there's still pride and league positions to play for, as Floreat look favourites to hold off Perth SC for second place. Meanwhile, ECU's big loss, coupled with Armadale's surprise point and Perth Glory's upset win, means all three of them will be playing to avoid the wooden spoon in the last round of the league.
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Floreat Athena 3 (Guiffre 12’ OG, Gate 13’, 84’)
Grindleford Reserve
Floreat thrashed a young Balcatta side 3-0 in a one-sided affair at Grindleford Reserve. The visitors dominated from the start and opened the scoring early when Carmelo Guiffre diverted a cross into his own net, before Kris Gate doubled their lead a minute later. Phil Arnold nearly made it three, only to be denied by the post, whilst ECU's Clint Davies pulled off a spectacular save from Jack Allen’s volley. Athena continued to control the game in the second half, as Davies kept out efforts from Arnold and Jonathan Stynes, only for Gate sealed the points late with a composed finish from the edge of the box.
Bayswater City 1 (Tong 78’)
Armadale 1 (Kingston 84’)
Frank Drago Reserve
Substitute Darren Kingston snatched an unexpected late point as Armadale held champions-elect Bayswater to a draw. The away side had the better of a tight first half, with David Heagney and Brian Farrell coming closest to breaking the deadlock. The dangerous Raveshlan Kuppusamy was twice denied by Bayswater goalkeeper Devon Spence, whilst the home side put Adam Tong up front in an attempt to net a winner. The move worked, as Tong first forced a good save from Luke Radonich, before going one better and heading home Todd Howarth’s cross. However, Kingston rescued a point for Armadale, beating Spence to a floating cross to spoil Bayswater’s celebrations.
ECU Joondalup 2 (S. Montgomery 45’, Amphlett 53’)
Cockburn City 5 (Araya 18’, Patterson 26’, 78’, 84’ PEN, 90+1’ PEN)
ECU Joondalup Football Stadium
A four-goal haul from Rory Patterson helped Cockburn to a big win away to ECU Joondalup. David Araya got the ball rolling for the away side with a simple goal at the back post and it wasn’t long before Patterson joined in, his howitzer of a free kick leaving ECU custodian Jamie Serra with no chance. But the home side hit back in the second half, first through Stuart Montgomery, and then through Tommy Amphlett’s intricate lobbed finish. ECU had the momentum, but Patterson restored City’s lead with 12 minutes to play, before provoking a penalty and a red card to Charlie Comyn-Platt, which he duly converted. The Northern Irishmen wasn’t done though, drawing a clumsy foul from Serra to win another penalty, which he made the most of to seal the victory.
Sorrento 0
Perth Glory 1 (Vulin 39’ PEN)
Percy Doyle Reserve
Perth Glory claimed back-to-back wins for the first time this season with an upset victory over Sorrento. Gian Albano’s magnificent solo effort ended in the ball being lofted over the bar, but Slobodan Vulin made up for the miss, converting from the penalty spot after Steve McDonald handled the ball in the box. Sorrento threw everything they had at the youthful Perth side, as McDonald was pushed forward in an attempt to rescue a point. James Morgan and Jack Salter both had chances, but the Glory survived the late onslaught to leave with their 4th win of the season.
Stirling Lions 0
Perth SC 1 (Vittiglia 1’)
Macedonia Park
A Reece Vittiglia goal inside the opening minute proved the difference between Stirling and Perth, in a match dedicated to the late Dylan Tombides, a mix-up in Stirling’s defence allowed Vittiglia to collect Clark Keltie’s through ball and calmly slot home after less than 60 seconds. Perth tightened their grip on the game as Anthony Theodosiades hit the post and Keltie had his shot cleared off the line. However, Stirling emerged a different side after the break, and only the efforts of Perth custodian Francis Soale prevented them from equalizing. Daniel Civeski (twice) and Teeboy Kamara both came close for the hosts, but Perth held on to secure all three points.
Subiaco 3 (Fitzgerald 30’, Booysen 59’, 73’)
Inglewood United 1 (Sesay 22’)
Rosalie Park
Joshua Booysen’s second half brace proved the difference as Subiaco overcame Inglewood for their sixth win of the season. Booysen had an early chance to give Subiaco the lead, but ballooned his penalty over the bar. He was made to pay for the miss when Inglewood took the lead through the in-form David Sesay, but Ger Fitzgerald evened the scores soon after for the home side. Booysen made up for his penalty miss when he headed home Rory Feely’s cross, before Matt Akehurt’s trickery allowed him to double his tally for the day, shutting the door on any potential Inglewood comeback.
Armadale vs Balcatta
Cockburn City vs Perth Glory
Perth SC vs Subiaco
Bayswater City vs Stirling Lions
Inglewood United vs ECU Joondalup
Sorrento vs Floreat Athena