Athena in control ahead of top-two showdown

Floreat Athena remain the team to catch in State League Division One after a second-half blitz gave them a 4-0 win over Gwelup Croatia.

Athena’s Friday night flurry saw them maintain their 100% record at E&D Litis Stadium, while Gwelup are now six without a win and are down to ninth place.

The visitors did hold the league leaders goalless until 55 minutes when Mohamed Al-Zaidy’s shot was headed into his own net by Omar Diarra.

A second goal was scored soon after by Jordan Langley from a fast break up field led by Luis Adlard and from that point the result was never in doubt.

Harry Lewis’ fired in from the edge of the box to it three, and the sealer was scored in stoppage time courtesy of a crisp finish on the volley from Tom Wassholm.

Athena ended Round 11 three points clear of nearest rivals UWA Nedlands, who they meet this Saturday.

Uni needed a late penalty to grab a point against Joondalup City on the weekend.

Sam McKearnan gave fourth-place City the lead on 15 minutes, getting on the of Louis Hadfield’s cross to score from six yards. But a clumsy challenge from the visitors saw Dean Hurley go to ground in the box and Joe McInnes scored his 15th goal of the campaign from the spot.

Kingsley Westside are third and are six points off the title pace after thrashing Quinns 7-0 at Chichester Park.

Sam Willis’ unmarked header from a corner put the hosts ahead, and Max Adamson doubled the lead when hooking brilliantly over his shoulder from inside the box.

Ben Ford’s cutback was sidefooted in by Jack Robinson for 3-0, and the goals kept coming in the second half for Jason Stern’s side.

Willis arrived from midfield to score at the second time of asking for four before Jack Roberts headed in a corner to make it a handful of goals.

Raeez Pandor volleyed in to make it six and the win was completed when Xavier Medica closed down Quinns’ defence and ran in to finish through the goalkeeper.

Elsewhere, Mandurah City are now just one point outside of the promotion play-off places after coming from behind to win 2-1 at Murdoch University Melville.

Gustavo Marulanda’s free-kick deflected into the path of Feisal Zaw, who put MUM FC in front on 50 minutes.

But Sam Lovell was the hero for the in-form Dolphins with two goals in eight second-half minutes to lead the turnaround.

His first saw him capitalise on a lapse on concentration at the back to pinch possession and run in to finish across the goalkeeper. Lovell then latched on to Lachlan Hannah’s pass and rounded Duncan Lennon Black to roll the ball in and make it four wins in a row for Mandurah. Murdoch are down in eighth.

Inglewood United are back in mix to finish in the top four after a 1-0 win over Curtin University. The only goal was scored on 70 minutes by Leon Giglia, who was in the right place at the right time to sweep home after Jordan Brown’s long throw broke his way.

A fourth win in five for Glen Grostate’s side has put them two points off the play-offs, while Curtin stay second bottom and are now five points from safety.

That is because 10th-placed Cockburn City picked up their first win under Terry Nicolaou by beating bottom side Subiaco 2-1.

Blake Pesich’s cross was headed in by James Bourne for the forward’s fourth goal of the season. And City got an important second goal before the break when Daniel Robinson’s free-kick was cleared only as far as Sam Geeves, who reacted smartly to loop a header up and in.

Subi pulled one back in the second half when Robert Petkov teed up Ben Bathgate to crash in from a tight angle. But it wasn’t enough as they hit the halfway mark a point behind Curtin and six from safety.

In Division Two, Rockingham City opened up a five-point lead at the summit after a 1-0 win over Ashfield. Tom Kinnane got the only goal in the first half to make it six for the season and see his earn some breathing room at the top.

Second-placed Carramar Shamrock Rovers dropped points in a 1-1 draw with Morley Windmills, where Brennan Borzecki’s opener was cancelled out by a stoppage time equaliser from Louis Martin.

Rovers drop to third with Wembley Downs now back in second spot following a 2-1 win over Gosnells City. Tom Chandler had given the visitors a lead but Hayden Boffey and Mella Loding scored either side of the break to turn it around for Luke Thompson’s team.

Kalamunda City are now in fourth place after defeating East Perth 2-1 at Hudson Park. Gerard Clark scored on 15 minutes but goals from Thang Sangpichung and Agustin Ventre completed the comeback.

Forrestfield United missed a chance to move into the inter-divisional play-off places when losing 3-1 to Balga, who had parted ways with long-term coach Gerhard Janssen earlier in the week.

Amir Dzamastagic’s first game in charge was a success as David Dimola came off the bench to score twice in the second half, after Forrie’s Lucas Reid had earlier cancelled out Alessio Meschi’s opener.

Finally, there was a big win for North Beach who moved out of the relegation places following a 1-0 win at bottom side Canning City.

Ayden Dragun got the winner on 80 minutes as the Beach boys went three points clear of the drop zone, while Canning have work to do after a winless first half of the season.