Chasing pack fail to take advantage of Kingsway draw
Olympic Kingsway extended their lead at the top of the Men’s State League Division One to six points despite being held to a 2-2 draw by Forrestfield United.
None of the top four sides won on a dramatic Saturday afternoon, which meant no one was able to capitalise on the leaders’ dropped points.
Attention now turns to a top-of-the-table clash between Kingsway and Knights in a fortnight, which could go a long way to determining the destiny of the title.
At Crazy Domains Stadium, it seemed David Tough’s team were on course for another routine victory after Ewan Fawcett’s brace had them two up after 54 minutes.
But Forrestfield scored twice in four minutes. Zachary Pentony arrived late in the box to finish and then Ollie La Galia sent David Keenan the wrong way from the penalty spot. Keenan came up big at the death, though, to get a strong hand on La Galia’s shot from close range as it ended all square.
Western Knights missed a chance to close the gap as Dianella White Eagles sensationally came from two down to win 3-2 at Nash Field.
An early own goal saw Knights go in front and Dylan White doubled the lead when picking out the bottom corner from inside the area on 37 minutes
Dianella pulled one back just past the hour mark when Daniel Mackenzie followed in after Charlie Betts’ effort was saved, and it was 2-2 when Lewis Tucker pounced on a loose ball for his first of the season.
The comeback was complete with five minutes left as former Glory academy player Michael McDougall scored from the penalty spot with conviction.
There was another stunning fightback at Forrest Park as Joondalup United scored twice in stoppage time to defeat 10-man Fremantle City 3-2.
Harry Hall picked up two yellow cards in 25 minutes in a goalless opening half, but Riley Van Dieken put the visitors up early in the second period with a well-taken left-footed strike.
Andrew Flint volleyed in an equaliser, but in the final 10 minutes ex-United man Gavin Knight hammered Freo back in front after Van Dieken’s shot was saved by Todd Hoyle, and at that point a City win looked on the cards.
Nick Jennings’ side had other ideas and Matthew Corrigan stabbed home through a sea of bodies in the penalty area before James Harmer’s 93rd minute winner against his former club.
Mandurah City also slipped up as they lost a second straight home game in a 1-0 loss to Murdoch University Melville.
The Dolphins are now 11 points behind Kingsway, while MUM FC continued their good season having consolidated their top-half spot. Declan Tanna’s goal was the difference after good work from Pat Sara to pull across goal.
Rockingham City are also in good form with a 3-1 win at Quinns their fourth in five outings, moving them in the top half for the first time this season.
Taylor Carter crashed in the opener via the post after a minute, before Robbie Galvin continued a run of scoring in each of the last three games.
Leon Anderson pulled one back, and even though the hosts rallied to level, they’d fall short and concede a third via Shaun Mukwevho’s late solo strike.
Finally, UWA Nedlands pulled a point closer to Quinns after an 89th minute equaliser in a 1-1 draw at Subiaco.
Bayram Prufer headed in his first goal of the season midway through the second half, but Ivwananji Simbile’s close range effort late on would end a run of five straight losses for Uni.
In Division Two, Gosnells City are the new league leaders after a 4-2 win over Morley Windmills made it nine wins in 10 for Marc Anthony’s team.
David Heagney put Windmills ahead early, but goals from Edward Wynne-Willson and Aaron Coslani turned it around in the space of two minutes. An own goal extended their lead and even though Conor McKee got one back, it was Darren Francis who scored the sealer with 15 minutes remaining.
They were also aided by 10th placed Ashfield, who upset previous front-runners Carramar Shamrock Rovers at Grandis Park. Alan Reidy’s first of the season for Rovers had the game seemingly going to script until two goals in a minute from Mark Barnard and Kurtiss Allen-Nash saw Carramar lose top spot for the first time since Round Two.
With Kingsley Westside and Curtin University playing out a goalless draw and slipping further away from the top two, Joondalup City’s 3-0 win at Canning City moved them into the inter-divisional play-off places. All the goals came in the first half with Jack Reilly, Liam Peacock, and Hayden Lowe netting.
Swan United are also still in the mix for the play-offs after coming from one down to win 2-1 at home to Balga.
Ismael Bangura was sent off in the first half and Balga seized their opportunity after the restart with Bleron Mamudi scoring. But Cameron Anderson and John Monterosso flipped the result around to sit three points off fourth, while the visitors also ending the game with 10 men.
Finally, four goals from Dion Berman helped Wanneroo City emerged with the points in a 6-4 win over South West Phoenix.
Berman scored twice in the opening 12 minutes as the Roos took a 3-1 lead to the interval. Lee Stewart’s second of the game and Jayden Prosser’s equaliser briefly made it 3-3 early in the second half, but two more for Berman took his tally to 11 for the season and put the game to bed.