2025 Australian Championship: Paddy pounces to take Baysie top

Report by Tim Gibson 1761478779,1761479978

Paddy Loughrey FotoEnzo — Paddy Loughrey runs away in delight after scoring the only goal in Bayswater City's win over Wests APIA. Photo by FotoEnzo

Bayswater City continued their run of upsets in the Australian Championship as they handed NPL NSW champions Wests APIA their first defeat of the campaign to replace their opponents at the top of Group D.

The only goal came 10 minutes into the second half, as Bayswater pounced on an underhit back-pass and the persistent Paddy Loughrey bundled the ball over the line.

Loughrey almost doubled the lead soon after when he broke through the middle and brought an outstanding save from APIA keeper Oliver Kalac. From the corner, Luke Palmateer headed against the woodwork as Byaswater threatened a second goal.

APIA produced a late rally in an attempt to salvage something from the match, but City held firm to go a point clear at the top of the group with three matches to play.

Next up for Basywater is another home match, against Sydney United 58. A win will be enough to take Matty Sparrow's side into the quarter-finals if APIA beat MetroStars also in Round Four.