Perth SC are top of the NPLWA - Men’s competition after Sam Cook’s late goal gave the Azzurri a 2-1 win over previous leaders Floreat Athena, who finished the afternoon with eight players.
With the top three all losing Marc Wingell’s side took full advantage to hit the summit after five rounds, although just four points split the top 11 teams.
Last week’s hero Jeremie Mba gave Perth the initiative two minutes before half-time when he went on a mazy run into the area and lashed in powerfully past Jason Saldaris.
With quarter of an hour left, Chris Saldaris came off the bench to level with his first touch after Phil Arnold’s initial free-kick fell to the defender.
But there was late drama, as in the 87th minute Alex Christodoulakis was shown a second yellow card for a challenge in the penalty area. Hasani Sinclair’s spot-kick was saved by Jason Saldaris, but the follow-up was pulled across for an unmarked Cook to swipe home.
That proved to be the key moment and it went from bad to worse for Floreat as Arnold was shown a straight red card and Dennis Galan collected a second yellow in separate incidents to see the visitors end with three players sent off.
Balcatta Etna had started the day in second and could have gone top with a victory, but their winning streak ended at three matches with a 2-0 home loss to Bayswater City.
After Gordon Smith missed a couple of early chances, it was Cam Edwards who scored direct from a corner to put Bayswater ahead on 32 minutes.
Balcatta mixed things up to try and draw level, but it was the away side who secured the points through Smith’s firm drive after he had charged down a clearance from the goalkeeper.
That is three unbeaten for Bayswater while Etna dropped to fourth after being overtaken by Stirling Macedonia, who responded to back-to-back defeats with a 2-1 win over Sorrento at E&D Litis Stadium.
Stirling’s James McGowan leaped highest to head home an inviting Brent Quick delivery from the right, but Joe Tweats stroked home an equaliser from Gustavo Marulanda’s cross prior to the interval.
The away side regained the lead 25 minutes from time when Asher Nelson got off the mark for 2023 with a curler from outside the box, and that proved to be the winner 25 minutes from time as Ian Ferguson’s side climbed into third spot.
Cockburn City also hit back from a loss as they defeated Olympic Kingsway 3-1 to make it three wins from their past four games.
Friday Zico put the visitors ahead with a clever dink over the goalkeeper inside six minutes after initially beating the offside trap.
And as they did in the first half, the Cockerels got an important goal early in the second half when Ivan Skorich was too strong for his marker and volleyed in from Zico’s cross.
Levi Petersen’s own goal from Oscar Barry’s cross gave Olympic hope midway through the second period. But Luka Caceres came off the bench to win a 50-50 with Shane Cassidy and roll the ball past home as Cockburn went fifth and Kingsway now sit bottom.
Elsewhere, reigning Gold Medal winner Daryl Nicol scored a perfect hat-trick as Perth RedStar won 6-1 at Armadale.
The Scot moved to seven goals for the campaign with his first coming from a glanced header off Andy Higgins’ corner.
Armadale tied it up when Chris Jackson managed to stay onside and finish for 1-1, but last year’s Top Four Cup winners went back in front on 40 minutes via a George Ballah own goal.
A third was added just before the half-time whistle when Declan Hughes’ shot was blocked into the path of Chok Dau who slotted in at the near post, and Callum Salmon’s side would end up careering away with the win after the restart.
Ryan Finnie arrived at the back post to tap in Nicol’s cross, before two stunning Nicol strikes move him top of this year’s Golden Boot race and emphatically put RedStar back on the winners’ list.
Finally, Michael Domfeh’s goal 10 minutes from time gave Inglewood United their first win since the opening round as they prevailed 4-3 over a gutsy Perth Glory.
Anthony Bafobusha helped on Matthew Ntumenopolous’ corner kick with Alex Ishida-Livings making sure the ball crossed the line for 1-0.
Glory pulled level on 17 minutes when Daniel Bennie lobbed Alex Da Rocha’s pass over Alex Dunn and into an unguarded net.
Rene Kisesa followed in to restore the hosts’ lead after Domfeh’s initial shot was saved, before Dylan White curled into the bottom corner to put Andres Oliveira’s side 3-1 ahead.
But John Walmsley’s side are used to playing in thrillers this season and they made it 3-2 in first half added time when Bennie broke down the right to cross and Jayden Gorman capitalised on a defensive error.
Gert Prinsloo’s low drive went through Dunn on 78 minutes as the youngster’s first senior goal mae it 3-3. But 2019 Golden Boot winner Domfeh would decide it though as he got the better of two defenders before finishing left-footed via the post to break a three-game losing run.
Results
Armadale 1-6 Perth RedStar
Balcatta 0-2 Bayswater City
Inglewood United 4-3 Perth Glory
Olympic Kingsway 1-3 Cockburn City
Perth SC 2-1 Floreat Athena
Sorrento 1-2 Stirling Macedonia