Huge congratulations to Bayswater City who secured their fourth NPLWA – Men’s title on Wednesday night.
A stoppage-time header from striker Oli La Galia earned Matty Sparrow’s side a 1-1 draw against Stirling Macedonia and the point they needed to become champions for the first time since 2017.
They are now also Football West’s representatives in the inaugural Australian Championship, where they will kick off against Sydney United on 12 October.
Baysie went into tonight’s rearranged Round 20 clash three points clear of Olympic Kingsway. However, their hopes of taking care of business before Saturday’s final round of matches took an early blow when Callum McKenzie fired the State Cup finalists into the lead inside the opening two minutes.
Stirling, looking to become only the second side to defeat Bayswater in the league this season, played the last 38 minutes with 10 men after Brent Quick was sent off. But the visitors almost made the game safe three minutes from the end when McKenzie had a header saved by Lewis Italiano then saw his follow-up kicked off the line.
And the home side made the most of their let-off. A minute into stoppage time, a deep cross found its way to Sean McManus and he centred for La Galia to guide in a header and end Bayswater’s eight-year wait to again be kings of WA.
Meanwhile, Balcatta Etna picked up a valuable point to move out of the NPLWA – Men’s relegation play-off place.
A brilliant volley from veteran Rostyn Griffiths earned Balcatta a 1-1 draw at home to Perth RedStar, who had led through Daryl Nicol’s first-half finish.
The result took Etna a point above Fremantle City as the pair head into the final round of fixtures. Balcatta will be away to relegated Floreat on Saturday while Fremantle, who are now second-bottom, head to mid-table Armadale.
RedStar are now third in the table and will secure a home tie in the Top Four Cup if they match or better Perth Glory’s result this weekend.
