Fremantle City tightened up the title race in Men's State League Division One with a 5-1 win over previously unbeaten leaders Western Knights.
Combined with Mandurah City’s third win on the spin, the top three sides are split by just one point after Round Seven.
Knights did get the opener when Jack Bardsley’s strike took a wicked deflection en route to hitting the back of the net, but two strikes late in the first half helped Matty Sparrow’s team take control.
They pulled level a minute before the break when Alex McLean slotted in from the edge of the area, and then Roberto Soares looped in a fantastic header.
Ollie La Galia caught the goalkeeper off his line to roll in a third and Hamza Hina’s spectacular curling strike made it four after an hour. La Galia’s late penalty capped a fine day for Freo, who have won back-to-back games and sit just a point behind the leaders.
Mandurah City lifted themselves right back in contention as they hammered Joondalup United 5-0 in the northern suburbs to extend their winning run.
John Baird’s deflected left-foot strike opened the scoring before Joe O’Brien’s close-range finish from Murray Mackintosh’s cross doubled the lead.
A fierce drive from Leigh Griffiths was too hot for the goalkeeper to handle which brought up a third before half-time, and the Dolphins would add a couple more in the second period to make it three straight wins.
Shaun Mukwevho stayed onside to finish and late in the piece Robbie Galvin’s stunning free-kick wrapped up the five-star show.
Murdoch University Melville lost ground on the leading trio with a 2-1 reverse at Dianella White Eagles, their second defeat in as many games.
Taki Nicolaidis’ side went ahead when Iljas Ahmedov ran clean through on goal to finish low past the goalkeeper, but they were pegged back when Uniss Kargbo volleyed in Angel Andres Rivera’s nod down.
Andres Rivera got the winner for Dianella in the second half when he rifled into the roof of the net which bagged a first three points since Round Three.
Subiaco closed the gap to fourth spot and moved into the top half with a 4-2 win at Gwelup Croatia, who are now five points off the pace.
The visitors struck three times in the first half with Mark Bauersachs’ low finish getting the scoring under way inside seven minutes.
Experienced striker Gavin Knight found a gap between two defenders to slot in a second just past half-an-hour, and six minutes later his cross was cleared into the path of former Inglewood player Jordan Allen-Rana to make it three.
Jacob Williamson’s goal from six yards gave Gwelup hope after the restart, but Knight lifted over on-rushing keeper Conor Hogan to put the result to bed, despite Shane Hulgraine’s late consolation.
Elsewhere, the bottom two sides both won on Saturday afternoon as Forrestfield United collected their first victory of the campaign 2-1 over UWA Nedlands in remarkable circumstances.
Jordan Pokler’s 52nd minute goal put Uni ahead to seemingly cut the hosts adrift at the foot of the league, but two goals in the final three minutes completed a magnificent turnaround.
Faiz Nasiri helped in a corner from the right and Forrie then ensured maximum points for the first time this year when substitute James Bourne slotted through a crowded penalty area.
Rockingham City also beat Gosnells City 2-1 at Larkhill to move up to ninth and leapfrog their opponents.
They came from behind after James Burns nodded in a corner at the back post with two goals in the final 13 minutes completing the comeback.
Bradley Vlachy’s low strike from outside the box went through a sea of bodies to find the corner, and the winner was bagged by Jayden Leader who broke from midfield and rounded the goalkeeper to win it.
Division One results
Dianella White Eagles 2-1 Murdoch University Melville
Forrestfield United 2-1 UWA Nedlands
Gwelup Croatia 2-4 Subiaco
Joondalup United 0-5 Mandurah City
Rockingham City 2-1 Gosnells City
Western Knights 1-5 Fremantle City
In Division Two, Kingsley Westside drew 2-2 at Morley Windmills in the top-of-the-table clash at Wotton Reserve, as Steve Dimitrovich’s leaders remain three points clear despite losing their 100% record.
Luke Salmon equalised twice for the visitors who had led in each half through Ishmael Dawson and Kevin Ashwood.
Carramar Shamrock Rovers started the day third but are now winless in three and down in fifth after losing 3-2 at Curtin University. Ali Akbarzadeh (2) and Simone Sichel put Curtin three up and despite a rally from Rovers it was the home side who took the points.
Swan United were the big movers in the top half after a 4-0 win at Quinns brought them within five points of top spot. Two goals in the first period from Rhys Loxley set the tone with Cameron Anderson and John Monterosso also netting.
Elsewhere, Jose Zuniga’s brace helped Maddington-Kalamunda White City continue their excellent recent form in a 2-0 home win over Wanneroo City, which moved them to within four points of the inter-divisional playoffs.
Maddington are three points ahead of Ashfield who remain eighth following a 2-1 home win over bottom side Joondalup City. All the goals came in the first half as a Brett Corey own goal cancelled out Liam Peacock’s opener, but Jared Flavel got what proved to be the winner on 26 minutes.
Balga joined Ashfield five points clear of the bottom two with a 2-0 win over 11th-placed Canning City thanks to a goal in each half from Nathan Scully and Karl Maluga.
Division One results
Ashfield 2-1 Joondalup City
Balga 2-0 Canning City
Curtin University 3-2 Carramar Shamrock Rovers
Maddington-Kalamunda White City 2-0 Wanneroo City
Morley Windmills 2-2 Kingsley Westside
Quinns 0-4 Swan United