Boland puts Olympic on top after Knights, Baysie draw a blank

Olympic Kingsway are the new leaders of the New Balance NPL WA Men’s competition after edging Stirling Macedonia 1-0 in Round Four action at Macedonia Park.

Liam Boland’s first-half goal was enough for David Tough’s team, who gained revenge on their rivals for defeats in this year’s Night Series final and the 2025 State Cup decider. Stirling, meanwhile, have lost back-to-back matches and are now four points off the pace.

It was a special night for Stirling, who are celebrating 40 years at Macedonia Park, but Olympic were keen to spoil the party and led on 43 minutes with a nicely worked goal involving Danny De Silva and Tyler Garner which was finished from six yards by Boland.

The hosts made a quadruple substitution 10 minutes into the second half, and two of the changes almost combined for an equaliser, as Joshua Anasmo’s header from Josh Bilaloski’s cross was tipped around the post by Adrian Sinagra.

De Silva was denied by Liam Hattersley, and Noah Ieraci put wide for the visitors when well placed, while Bilaloski had Stirling’s best late chance but shot straight at Sinagra.

One-nil was how it stayed as Kingsway went two points clear at the top after four games, all of which they have played away. Their first home fixture is next Saturday against Perth Glory.

Previous leaders Western Knights drew 0-0 away to Bayswater City on Friday night.

Bayswater’s best chances in the game primarily came from set pieces, as Luke Palmateer and Chris Jackson’s headers missed the target. But they should have scored when Jackson chased a lost cause and substitute Charlie Burden-Whittleton put wide of an open goal.

Knights were well worth their point despite a late red card shown to Aaron Pike. The striker had earlier forced Jason Saldaris into a low save, while Sam Barry bent just beyond the bottom corner.

Adam Kostrencic’s side are second in the standings with Bayswater a point further back in fourth. Between them are Perth RedStar, who moved into the top four after a 2-1 win over Perth Glory in the northern suburbs.

Glory led late in the first half when Shaun Mutyavaviri was pulled down in the box during a corner, with the resulting penalty finished by Gabriel Popovic.

Two goals in seven second-half minutes turned the game around for RedStar.

First, Sonny O’Shea’s cross eventually broke for Matty Geroge to level it up. Then Aaron Black was fouled just inside the area by Max Argent and Gordon Smith converted the spot-kick on 78 minutes for the winner as RedStar remain unbeaten.

Perth Azzurri are fifth and only goal difference outside of the top four following a 2-0 win over Balcatta Etna on Ferrari Cup day at Dorrien Gardens.

Both goals were bagged in the opening 17 minutes by Kenny Lowe’s side as they extended their unbeaten run to three games. Michael Scafetta scored the first when keeping his composure to find the top corner after a cross from the left was flicked on by Pieter Jacobsz.

Jacobsz got the second with a thumping header from Ethan Banks’ free-kick as Perth got the job done early. Balcatta are bottom of the league and have lost their opening four matches.

In the late kick-off, Armadale got their first point of the season in a 1-1 draw with Sorrento FC at Alfred Skeet Reserve.

The hosts made a strong start and led on eight minutes when Leigh Griffiths latched onto David Keenan’s long clearance and volleyed crisply across the goalkeeper.

Sorrento equalised when Clay Gibbs’ cross fell to Kyunghwan Kim, who arrived to make it 1-1 on 56 minutes. But any chance of the Gulls gaining momentum from their leveller was halted when they were reduced to 10 men with Luke Christie shown a second yellow card.

Armadale had two good chances to win it with Abraham Mathet’s header saved by Ben Ratajczak and then Griffiths’ stoppage-time strike deflecting just over. In the end, the spoils were shared and both teams still wait for a first win this season.

Finally, Dianella White Eagles and Fremantle City drew 1-1 to keep themselves a game clear of the bottom two.

It was Dianella’s first top-flight home game in 28 years and hopes of a win to celebrate the occasion were boosted when Miguel Restrepo’s cross was adjudged to have crossed the line when Freo keeper Luke Radonich claimed in the air.

Freo levelled seven minutes from time as the home side were unable to clear Riley Woodcock’s free-kick and Lucas Rossi side-footed in to extend City’s unbeaten run to three matches.