Bayswater City rubberstamped back-to-back league titles in the New Balance NPL WA Men’s competition with a 2-0 win over Perth Glory in the final round of the season.
A goal in each half ensured Matt Sparrow’s side finished six points clear of the rest and are undefeated in 12 NPL matches going into next weekend’s State Cup Final against Fremantle City at the Sam Kerr Football Centre.
Glory’s defeat ended their four-game unbeaten run, but it wasn’t all bad news for the youngsters, who stayed up on goal difference thanks to Armadale’s defeat to Perth RedStar.
Baysie had all but wrapped up their record breaking fifth title in the NPL era last weekend and set about kickstarting the celebrations early on. Declan Hughes’ corner found Luke Palmateer at the back post with the defender hitting the woodwork.
Glory had two good chances to spoil the party as Tadi Kuzamba’s curler hit the upright and bounced away to safety, before Ollie Evans struck over after being set up by Louis Sollitt.
Bayswater made the visitors pay for those missed opportunities when hitting the lead just before the half-hour mark. Brent Quick’s cross was met by Chris Jackson whose header looped up for Pat Loughrey to crisply finish on the volley.
Achnaff Sayon was dangerous throughout the afternoon for Glory, but the champions kept their opponents at arm’s length and sealed victory on 67 minutes.
Hughes’ cross was nodded down by Ollie La Galia for Chris Jackson to put in his 16th goal of the campaign from close range.
Bayswater don’t get long to enjoy their success, with the State Cup final this Saturday followed by their defence of the Top Four Cup. They then enter the national Australian Championship for the second successive year as NPL WA title winners.
Glory’s loss saw eyes turn to events at the bottom of the league where Dianella White Eagles confirmed their safety by beating Balcatta Etna 2-0 at Home Group Stadium.
It was a timely win after four losses in a row for Dianella who had started the day in the relegation play-off spot. They ended their maiden NPL campaign in ninth, while Balcatta were relegated to State League Division despite this being their first loss since June.
Sebastian Medica made a good double save early in the game but he couldn’t keep out Dianella’s opener as Albert Luwi’s corner was headed in at the back post by Asher Nelson.
Phoenix Lee curled Balcatta’s best opportunity of the first half just wide after being teed up by Matt Lenzo.
Teppei Iida’s free-kick hit the bar after the restart as Etna’s survival hopes dwindled, and their 17-year stay in the top flight officially came to an end in stoppage time.
A loose ball in the box broke for Daniel Zivkovic to hammer home and spark celebrations from the travelling supporters, while Adrian Pini was shown a straight red card for the hosts in the aftermath.
Dianella leapfrogged both Glory and Armadale on the final day with the latter dropping into the relegation play-off spot following a 4-0 home loss to Perth RedStar.
John Baird’s side will now meet State League Division One Joondalup City over two legs in the inter-divisional play-offs. The winners will face UWA Nedlands or Mandurah City for a spot in next season’s New Balance NPL.
Ali Mohamed saw an early attempt saved by Liam Reddy before RedStar struck twice in the opening period to hold a two-goal lead at the interval.
Sonny O’Shea’s through ball ran for Jacob Evans to roll past Alfie Brincat before Riley Warland’s corner resulted in Blair Govan looping a header across for Gordon Smith to nod in.
Yannick Dao’s last man challenge on Evans saw the defender shown a red card with Smith converting from the penalty spot to make it 3-0 on 52 minutes.
RedStar’s return to form was capped off by Finn Wensley who put in the rebound after Brandon O’Neill’s corner was initially won by Riley Warland.
The result at least ended RedStar’s four-game winless run which had cost them any chance of the title. Instead, they ended the season in third, six points off the top. They now look forward to a hosting a Top Four Cup elimination final against Perth Azzurri, who finished fourth following a 3-1 victory over Sorrento FC.
After a goalless first half, Jackson Morgan’s rocket from the edge of the area put Kenny Lowe’s side in front on a day where they only needed a point to book a place in the post-season tournament.
Pieter Jacobsz volleyed into the bottom corner and then coolly finished David Ninkovich’s pass to bring up 19 goals for the season which earned the striker a third consecutive Golden Boot title.
Sorrento were already safe coming into the weekend and the Gulls got a late consolation through Ryan Inman’s first NPL goal from Will Richards’ corner.
Perth’s victory means Fremantle City finish fifth and miss out on the Top Four Cup despite a final day win at Olympic Kingsway.
The game’s only goal was scored on 28 minutes when Charlie Chechlacz pounced on a mistake in the Kingsway defence to score into an empty net.
Freo now turn their attention to next weekend’s State Cup Final against Bayswater, while Olympic will be winless in three going into their Top Four Cup major semi-final away to Baysie.
Finally, Stirling Macedonia ended their season on a high with a 3-1 win over Western Knights at Macedonia Park.
Both sides finish the year in mid-table after a match of little consequence for the final standings. Calvin Whitney put the home side in front on 48 minutes with a late goal-of-the-season contender from beyond 40 yards.
Callum McKenzie tucked home from six yards after Whitney dragged an attempt to the Scot, before Alex Tanevski neatly finished after latching onto Daniel Faichney’s pass.
Knights did get the game’s final goal in added time through Harry O’Brien after a scramble in the box from Woonsub Sim’s long throw.
