Dianella close on Division One leaders UWA while Quinns hit top spot in Division Two
Dianella White Eagles closed the gap on leaders UWA Nedlands in Round 13 of the State League Division season following a 3-0 victory at bottom side Gosnells City.
Ian Ferguson’s side are now four points off top spot after returning to winning ways on Saturday, while Gosnells are now two points adrift at the foot of the table.
Kian McGuigan netted in each half to set Dianella on their way, his first volleyed in from Anthony Dolan’s pass and his second slammed in from close range. Francisco Caballero’s thumping header from a Miguel Restrepo corner wrapped it up on the hour as the visitors stayed in touch with the title race.
Dianella were able to gain ground after UWA were held to a 0-0 draw by Subiaco at Rosalie Park.
The point turned out to be a useful one for Subi as they moved up a place to third and leapfrogged Joondalup City, whose match with Inglewood United was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.
DIVISION ONE RESULTS, FIXTURES & STANDINGS
Elsewhere, there were important results in the bottom half of the league with the big movers Curtin University following their 1-0 win at Kalamunda City.
The decisive goal was scored on 90 minutes by Rowan Steed, who rolled into the corner after latching onto a long ball upfield. The result moved Curtin to ninth place while Kalamunda now occupy the relegation play-off position vacated by their opponents.
Mandurah City also pulled clear of trouble and sit three points above Kalamunda following a 2-0 victory over Gwelup Croatia. Two goals in three second-half minutes did the job. Robbie Galvin’s corner was headed in by Craig Barker for the opener, then Ben Gallagher cut inside from the left and fired in off the post to make it two. This was the Dolphins' first win in three, while Gwelup are now winless in six but remain within a win of the promotion play-off places.
Finally, Kingsley Westside and Murdoch University Melville played out an entertaining 3-3 draw which ensures both sides remain firmly in mid-table.
The hosts raced to a 2-0 lead at Chichester Park with Raeez Pandor crossing for Max Adamson to tap in, before Pandor’s long-range shot was spilled and Ben Ford put in the rebound. Noah Leasor’s clearance cannoned into teammate Neil Gillies as MUM FC inadvertently pulled a goal back before half-time. And Marc Anthony’s side were level on 55 minutes when Ed Wynne-Wilson’s 30-yard daisy-cutter skidded into the back of the net.
Adamson responded soon after for Kingsley when slotting a nicely taken goal into the bottom corner which looked like it would decide the contest. But there was a final twist in the northern suburbs as Angel Andres Rivera slipped a pass through for Declan Tanna to equalise on 90 minutes and earn a share of the points.
DIVISION TWO
Quinns FC are the new leaders in Division Two after a 4-0 win over Ashfield, who remain in the relegation playoff position.
James Oldroyd was the hero with a hat-trick while Jamie Gardiner grabbed the game’s other goal. Quinns are now top on goal difference after previous leaders Cockburn City fell to a 3-1 defeat at Wembley Downs.
Rory Hannon and John Chalmers struck twice in the opening 25 minutes to set Wembley on their way, and even though Rory McGrath pulled a goal back for the Cockerels, it was Hannon who netted again in the second half to seal the win.
Third-placed East Perth were denied the chance to join both Quinns and Cockburn on 26 points after their fixture with Swan United was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.
DIVISION TWO RESULTS, FIXTURES & STANDINGS
Below them, Forrestfield United leapfrogged Carramar Shamrock Rovers into the final promotion play-off spot after a come-from-behind 2-1 win over their opponents.
Jamie Gibson’s first-half goal had given Rovers the lead, only for Sam Platten’s to level. Then a fantastic free-kick from Austin Reynolds in the 91st minute earned United the win.
Balga’s pursuit of the play-off positions also continued after a 3-2 win over Canning City. Menghoung Chroek’s brace and a Nicholas Bahr Pike goal had Balga cruising at 3-0, before they were given a late scare by Bill Orr and Freeman Nyatsambo.
Finally, Wanneroo City pulled clear of danger after a 2-1 win over Rockingham City left them five points clear of the relegation play-off spot.
Taiga Kobayashi and Noel Disha netted for Roos at Lark Hill, with Harry Stonehouse’s goal for the hosts proving only to be a consolation. Rockingham are one of three teams separated by one point at the foot of the table, as the fight for survival starts to heat up.
