Olympic Kingsway put on a powerful first-half display as they defeated Quinns 5-0 at Gumblossom Reserve to move into second place in the Men’s State League Division One.
It was a costly defeat for Quinns, who slipped out of the top six ahead of the competition’s second phase as they failed to capitalise on Joondalup United and Fremantle City dropping points.
It was an almighty opening burst from Kingsway as Keylun Pollard opened the scoring before Paul McCormack netted his first goal of the season to double the lead inside 20 minutes.
Antoine Levy made it 3-0 soon after, before Ajak Riak joined Gyles Davies on eight goals for the season as the visitors added a fourth on 37 minutes.
Three substitutions in the first 15 minutes of the second half did not help Quinns get back into the game and they went on to concede a fifth as Pollard completed his double.
Kingsway were able to climb into second above Forrestfield, who slipped to a 2-1 defeat against bottom side Swan United.
It has been a tough season for Swan, who came into Saturday’s game with just one win in season 2020. But they were off to a flyer thanks to first-half goals from Brendan Knox and John Monterosso.
Mitchell Crocker pulled one back for the visitors but they were unable to force an equaliser and their frustration was capped off by Jordan Hart’s red card for a second booking late on.
Joondalup United held onto their place in the top six despite a 3-0 loss at long-time leaders Western Knights as other results went their way.
Paul Lloyd gave Knights the lead in first-half stoppage time, before substitute Ciaran Byrne added two more late on including a goal with his first touch.
One team finding form ahead of the competition’s second phase are Stirling Lions, who won 3-0 at Subiaco thanks in part to a brace from Alex Tanevski.
The former Perth Glory Academy player netted in the 25th and 33rd minutes to give the Lions an advantage they did not throw away at Rosalie Park.
Stirling are now unbeaten in four games having won their last three and they made the points safe when Lawrence Shuruma scored his second goal of the season.
Mandurah City knew their place in the top six was secure prior to the evening kick-off on Saturday, but Ashfield Soccer Club came from behind to win 4-2 in the southern suburbs.
Daniel Robinson scored either side of Samim Fattahi’s goal to give the hosts a 2-1 lead after half an hour, but Ashfield channelled some belief earned from last week’s win over Quinns and came roaring back in the second half.
Evans Maranga levelled the ledger before top scorer Sakou Sylla scored his sixth of the second to put the visitors ahead with seven minutes remaining.
Fattahi completed his brace and the scoring on the night as Ashfield inflicted a first home defeat on Mandurah, who lost back-to-back games for the first time in 2020.
UWA Nedlands were another team in the bottom half to enjoy a victory on the weekend as they defeated Fremantle City 2-0 at UWA Sports Park.
The hosts came into this game on a run of just one win in five, but they gave themselves some encouragement for the second part of the campaign as Samuel Kent struck minutes before the break.
Fremantle City had been on an eight-game unbeaten run prior to this game, but that ended once and for all three minutes from time when Samuel Moffatt came off the bench to score the second in his first appearance of the season.
n Division Two, the race for top-six was on as Canning City hosted Joondalup City, both of whom started the day among four teams on 16 points.
The visitors twice took the lead through Liam Peacock and Liam McGurk but were pegged back by Canning, with both goals scored by Dylan White.
But there would be late drama at Burrendah Reserve as Peacock’s seventh goal of the season on 87 minutes moved Joondalup into fourth place and consigned the hosts to finishing seventh ahead of the split.
Joondalup City’s winner gave out-of-form Wanneroo City a reprieve as they held on to sixth spot despite a 3-2 loss at home to Morley Windmills.
Wanneroo were out of the top six prior to Peacock’s late strike due an efficient first half from the visitors, where Dion Berman netted twice and Scott Wrightson scored from the spot as Morley led 3-0 at the break.
James Burns found the net twice in the second half to take his season tally to seven, as the Roos reset for the second part of the season following a fourth straight loss.
Carramar Shamrock Rovers were another team in danger of being caught by the chasing pack, but they removed any risk of sliding into the bottom half by defeating Kingsley Westside 1-0 at Grandis Park.
It was a timely win for Rovers who were on a four game winless run, but Warren Powell came off the bench to score for the first time this season and ensure the hosts finished third after the first phase.
Promoted Kingsley will compete in the bottom half of the split and are now without a win in six after an encouraging start to State League Division Two.
Elsewhere, leaders Murdoch University Melville made it six straight wins as Oriol Fernandez scored in a 1-0 win at Kelmscott, two goals from Milorad Vujacic and Golden Boot leader Asa Sippits helped Dianella White Eagles cement second spot with a 6-0 win over Balga, while on Friday night Gosnells City earned a 1-1 draw away at Curtin University which sealed their place in the top six.
Filed Under: Men's State League