Report by Tommy Doleman
Floreat Athena have returned to the New Balance NPL WA Men’s competition at the first time of asking after a come-from-behind 2-1 win over Mandurah City saw them claim the State League Division One title.
Alun Vernals’ side won six games in a row when it matters most to hold an unassailable seven-point lead at the summit with one game remaining.
Mandurah, meanwhile, have lost three games in a row and need to match Quinns’ result on the final day to ensure they secure a spot in the promotion play-off places.
The Dolphins threatened to upset the apple cart when they took a 13th-minute lead at E&D Litis Stadium. A long ball released Hamza Hina down the left with the playmaker squaring for Joe O’Brien to bundle in from close range.
Mandurah almost doubled their lead on 57 minutes when Jordan Callaghan was denied by Devon Lindemann. But Floreat came to the party soon after with two goals in the space of 10 minutes ultimately sealing league success.
Harry Lewis’ cross was glanced home by Jordan Langley for the striker’s 14th goal of the campaign, before Luis Adlard won it on 69 minutes when cutting inside his marker and flashing home at the near post.
With Floreat winning the league, UWA Nedlands will finish runners-up for a second successive season in the second tier. They lost 2-0 at home to Subiaco in a match which had big implications at the bottom of the league.
Two second half goals won it for Marc Wingell’s side as they avoided automatic relegation to Division Two. But they are locked into finishing 11th which means they will have to fight through the inter-divisional play-offs in September to maintain their second-tier status.
Jack Steele got the opening goal when winning the ball in midfield before continuing his run and finishing after David Micevski linked up with Tomas Despotovski.
The sealer was scored on 84 minutes when Mark Bauersachs collected Oliver Lebihan’s pass and ran in to finish off the inside of the post.
Subi’s win means that Curtin University are relegated to the Division Two following their 1-0 loss away to Joondalup City.
It was an important win for City who are all but assured of a spot in the inter-divisional play-offs for the second season in a row, barring a dramatic goal difference swing on the final day.
The game’s decisive goal was scored five minutes from time as substitute Harry Edwards met Cameron Stratton’s cross with a thumping header.
Elsewhere, Quinns’ late season surge continued as they beat Gwelup Croatia 2-0 to register a fourth consecutive victory.
Magai Deng won a penalty on 57 minutes which was planted into the top corner by Elliott Ireland.
Deng was the also architect of the game’s second goal 11 minutes from time when he burst clear down the left and was brought down by Rocco Liberti. The referee played advantage as the ball ran to Andrew Flint who was on hand to apply a simple finish.
Inglewood United are still a mathematical chance of finishing in the top four but would need a lot to go right for them on the final day after a 1-1 draw with Cockburn City.
Cockerels skipper Euan Grant ventured forward from defence to lash home from long range on 35 minutes. But Inglewood levelled on the stroke of half-time when Kian McGuigan’s corner was met by Rostyn Griffiths’ looping header.
Inglewood must win at Curtin on the final day by a big margin, while hoping both Mandurah and Quinns lose their respective matches if they are to have a chance of finishing in the play-offs.
Finally, Murdoch University Melville guaranteed their safety in the second tier with a 3-1 win over Kingsley Westside.
Luke Doyle’s free-kick put Kingsley in front, but Ed Wynne-Willson hammered in from the edge of the box, and Tyler Nyabinde fired into the bottom corner to swiftly turn the game around for MUM FC.
Seagh Harris’ stoppage-time penalty sealed Murdoch’s second win in the second half of the season and put them five points clear of the bottom two with one game remaining.
In Division Two, Rockingham City put themselves back in the title race after winning 2-0 over Gosnells City.
Harry Quigley and Mitchell Foley got the goals as Rocky moved to within two points of the top two sides, who both lost on Saturday afternoon.
Wembley Downs remain at the summit on goal difference despite losing 3-1 away at play-off-chasing Kalamunda City.
Andrea Erbetta bagged a brace and Thang Sangpichung got the other goal as the hosts led 3-0 before Josh Chalmers’ consolation.
It was a big win for Kalamunda who leapfrogged Forrestfield United to move into an inter-divisional playoff position, while also remaining mathematically in the title race.
With Wembley losing, Carramar Shamrock Rovers missed a chance to go top following their 2-0 loss away at Balga.
Finn Wilson Pidgeon and David Dimola scored either side of the break as Balga went fifth and close to within two points of the playoff picture.
Those results mean Forrestfield drop to sixth and two points off fourth spot. They lost 1-0 at home to Canning City, who moved above Gosnells and out of the relegation zone thanks to Luca Macri’s match-winner on 43 minutes.
Canning’s win leaves bottom side North Beach four points from safety after they suffered a 3-0 defeat at East Perth where Gerard Clark scored a hat-trick.
The weekend’s other match saw Morley Windmills defeat Ashfield 1-0 courtesy of Adam Tong’s 76th minute winner. Both sides are out of the play-off picture and well clear of the relegation zone with two games remaining.
