Floreat return to Division One summit after late Uni double floors Kingsley

Floreat Athena reclaimed top spot in State League Division One after defeating Murdoch University Melville 2-1 at E&D Litis Stadium to maintain their unbeaten start to 2026.

 

Alun Vernals’ side moved three points clear of the rest following a third win in four games, while Murdoch are down to third bottom on the table as they await their first win.

 

The visitors made a perfect start as Josh Macri’s throw-in found Ed Wynne-Willson, who pulled across for Seagh Harris to finish on two minutes.

 

MUM FC led at the break but Harry Lewis’ introduction at half-time made an immediate impact, turning with his back to goal and finishing from the edge of the area. Substitute Lewis then set up the winner, feeding Tom Wassholm who rifled high into the roof of the net from a tight angle.

 

Athena’s lead at the top opened up after Kingsley Westside fell to a late 3-2 defeat against last year’s runners-up UWA Nedlands.

 

Uni got off to a great start in the sixth minute through Joe McInnes’ first-time finish from a Mark Bauersachs cross, but Kingsley struck twice in the second half to turn the game in their favour. First, UWA keeper Jim Collins spilled a long pass when coming off his line with Jack Robinson finishing into an empty net, before Shane Hulgraine looked to have won it for the visitors on 84 minutes after Raeez Pandor’s initial effort was cleared off the line.

 

But there was a sting in the tail as Jake Sardelic bundled in a free-kick two minutes from time, then Sebastian Hooshangian tucked home Roberto Soares’ cut-back for the winner.

 

UWA moved into fourth and are level on points with Kingsley, who dropped to second after suffering a first loss.

 

In third are Gwelup Croatia, who beat Mandurah City 5-2 with Jeremie Mba scoring four times for the hosts.

 

The Dolphins made a fine start when Joe O’Brien crossed for Jordan Callaghan to tap in, but Mba struck home left-footed before cutting in from the left and firing spectacularly across the goalkeeper.

 

Mandurah equalised almost immediately when O’Brien scored from close range but the striker was shown a second yellow card before the half-time whistle blew. Mba completed his treble after linking up with Robert Ferrante and then finished clinically one-on-one past Josiah Godfrey for 4-2. Ferrante then completed the scoring with a low free kick late on as Gwelup moved up three places, while Mandurah slip to fifth after back-to-back losses.

 

Elsewhere, Joondalup City climbed to sixth place after claiming a 1-0 win at Quinns FC in the late kick-off. Louis Hadfield’s brilliant piledriver from distance on 27 minutes was the difference as City returned to winning ways after back-to-back league losses.

 

Night Series runners-up Inglewood United were 1-0 winners at Subiaco for their first three points of the campaign.

 

Rostyn Griffiths scored the game’s only goal after 53 minutes with a firm header from Jordan Brown’s long throw as Glen Grostate’s side got off the mark, while Subi sit second bottom.

 

Cockburn City also picked up their first success of the league season by the same scoreline against Curtun University. Rory McGrath was the hero when rifling in after being teed up by Isaac McVittie early in the second half. The Cockerels climb out of the relegation places as a result, while Curtin, who had Jeffrey Ledwith dismissed, stay bottom.
 

In Division Two, Rockingham City continue to set the pace with a 1-0 win at Balga to maintain their 100% start.

 

Brian Patterson got the decisive goal on 19 minutes as City won for the third time on the road in four matches.

 

Ashfield are two points off the leaders and remain unbeaten after taking care of Forrestfield United 4-0.

 

Angus Taylor’s second-minute goal gave the hosts a fast start, before two Jack Kiama goals broke the game open in the second period. Michael Mwingira completed the scoring for unbeaten Ashfield, who stay unbeaten, while Forrestfield are down in mid-table.

 

Wembley Downs dropped to third after being held to a 1-1 draw at Carramar Shamrock Rovers, where Toby Robertson’s opener for the visitors was followed by Wayne Guest’s leveller on the hour.

 

The big movers of the day were East Perth, who backed up their Hahn Australia Cup triumph over NPL Stirling Macedonia by hammering Canning City 7-0.

 

The giant-killers blitzed Canning in the first half and led 5-0 at half-time. Ryan McCready scored a hat-trick with Eoghan Rea and Cian Tuite getting the others. Gerard Clark and Tomas Hehir added to the tally in the second half as East Perth moved to fourth and their opponents sank to the bottom of the league.

 

Kalamunda City are up to sixth after picking up a 3-2 win away at Morley Windmills. Morley's Luke Salmon cancelled out Angel Andres Rivera’s early goal, only for Nicolas Roca and Rivera again to put Kalamunda 3-1 up at the break. Salmon pulled another back after the restart for Morley, who dropped out of the play-off places.

 

Finally, North Beach picked up their first win since being promoted back to the State League as they beat Gosnells City 2-0. Nathan McManus and Mark Bailey got the second-half goals as Nick Di Carlo’s side climbed to 10th place and overtook Gosnells in the standings.