Report by Tommy Doleman
Floreat Athena are one win away from returning to the New Balance NPL at the first time of asking after defeating Cockburn City 7-1 in Round 20 of the State League Division One season.
Athena’s fifth win in a row was set up by a first-half blitz, which saw them net five times in the opening half-hour at E&D Litis Stadium.
Cockburn’s defeat meant little in the grand scheme of things, with their safety all but confirmed after last week’s win at Joondalup City.
Floreat came out firing on all cylinders with their first three goals in the opening nine minutes. Ajang Yout’s cross was headed in by Josh Willis, before Harry Lewis crossed for Andrew Palmer and then scored himself with a cross-come-shot.
Lewis’ magnificent free-kick from range made it four midway through the first half, then it was five at the break when Langley played a give-and-go with Lewis and finished with aplomb.
Moustafa Mohamed scored from close range to made it six, and even though Rory McGrath headed in a consolation, it was Langley’s volley which completed the scoring late on.
Floreat are four points clear of UWA Nedlands who locked in a top two finish following a 3-0 win at Murdoch University Melville.
Two goals late in the first half set them on their way to victory. Jordan Pokler rifled into the bottom corner from the edge of the area, before Joe McInnes accelerated past his marker and struck low across the goalkeeper from a narrow angle.
Dean Hurley clipped through for Mark Bauersachs to slot in a third on 79 minutes as UWA made it three wins in a row and remain mathematically in the title race.
Despite the defeat, MUM FC maintains a five-point gap on the relegation zone after the bottom two sides Curtin University and Subiaco drew 2-2 at Edinburgh Oval.
Subi made a strong start as they took a 2-0 lead on eight minutes. Tomas Despotovski got both as he linked up with Kaleb Morrison for the opener down the left and then tapped in David Micevski’s cross from close range.
Jake Ruxton’s dummy ran for Gaspar Becerra who cross for Jai Coker to reduce the arrears just before the half hour mark.
As time ticked down in the second half, Curtin were on the brink of being cut adrift at the bottom, but they levelled on the cusp of stoppage time to earn a draw which keeps them one point behind Subiaco in the standings. It was Ruxton who saved the day as he headed in Jude Baillie’s corner at the near post which ensures the fight to avoid automatic relegation goes into the final fortnight.
Elsewhere, fifth-placed Quinns moved to within three points of the inter-divisional playoffs with a 1-0 win at third-placed Mandurah.
Ben Johns got the decisive goal with 15 minutes remaining when volleying in Elliot Ireland’s free-kick. And Nick Jennings’ side would see out the final stages with 10 men after James Bosdet was dismissed when picking up a second yellow card.
Quinns’ third win a row also saw them close to within a win of fourth-placed Joondalup City who drew 1-1 with Inglewood United on the road.
Sam McKearnan’s pass was brilliantly brought down and finished in one motion by Hugo Snowden as City hit the front on 18 minutes.
Inglewood was given the chance to equalise when Brett Corey brought down Kian McGuigan in the box. Chris Harold made no mistake with the spot-kick.
No winner was forthcoming as Glen Grostate’s side remain four points off Mandurah and Joondalup in the race for the play-offs.
One game in the second tier was postponed on Saturday as Kingsley Westside’s clash with Gwelup Croatia fell victim to the wet and windy conditions. The fixture between the two mid-table sides will be rescheduled in the coming days.
In Division Two, Wembley Downs and Carramar Shamrock Rovers both won to build a five-point lead over third-placed Rockingham City.
Wembley remain top on goal difference after a 3-0 win over mid-table Ashfield. Josh Waldock, Hayden Boffey and Salman Nikakhter got the goal as Luke Thompson’s team extended their unbeaten run to six matches.
Carramar Shamrock maintained pressure on the leaders with a win by the same scoreline away to Forrestfield United. Lewis Tucker, Jake Crompton and Lewis Jones netted in Rovers’ third win on the spin, while Forrestfield’s first defeat in five leaves them seven points off the summit.
Back-to-back defeats have left long-time leaders Rockingham City off the pace with the latest of those coming 3-0 at East Perth. Owen Paterson got the opener before Gerard Clark’s second-half brace.
Elsewhere, Kalamunda and Balga both bagged big wins to keep their play-off hopes alive. Fifth-placed Kalamunda closed to within a point of fourth-placed Forrestfield after a 4-1 win over Gosnells on Friday evening.
The hosts led 3-0 after 34 minutes and never looked back thanks to Thang Sangpichung’s double and Andrea Erbetta’s effort. Jason Bunajim pulled one back for Gosnells, but Rakan Azrain made it four in second half stoppage time.
Balga are sixth and are a win away from fourth spot after a 7-3 victory over bottom side North Beach.
Lal Cung and David Dimola both scored twice with Martin Rossini, Cristian Zuluaga and Jose Zuniga getting the others. Beach were 5-0 down but did pull it back to 5-3 in the second half as Sam Richardson, Luke Jones and Jamie McLeod scored three goals either side of the break.
Morley Windmills also made it back-to-back wins as Farruh Mavlonov, Adam Tong and Brennan Borzecki scored in a 3-2 win over Canning City.
City’s goals came via Hanani Ndebele and a late own goal as the bottom three sides all failed to pick up a result in Round 19 which leaves them all separated by three points.
