Gwelup recover to down MUM

DIVISION ONE

Gwelup Croatia continued their strong start to the State League Division One season as they came from behind to defeat fourth-placed Murdoch University Melville 3-1.

The win gives Basil Lenzo a sixth win in seven matches since arriving at the Croatian Sporting Complex. Gwelup are a point clear at the top, while MUM FC have won once in their past five and have slipped out of the top four on goal difference.

Angel Andres Rivera gave Marc Anthony’s side a sixth-minute lead when he bent a shot into the bottom corner from Ed Wynne-Willson’s perfectly weighted pass.

The hosts levelled in first-half added time when Matt Lenzo netted after Ben Campbell’s shot was saved by Preston Gilling.

Jacob Rossi capitalised on a miscommunication at the back to run in and put Gwelup ahead before Jeremie Mba’s penalty 20 minutes from time wrapped up the win.

Dianella White Eagles are second after a 1-0 win over Kingsley Westside in Saturday’s late kick-off.

DIVISION ONE RESULTS, FIXTURES & STANDINGS

The only goal came on 21 minutes courtesy of George Ballah, who lashed a half-volley across the goalkeeper and into the bottom corner.

Ian Ferguson’s side leapfrogged UWA Nedlands, who dropped to third after falling to a 3-0 defeat at Mandurah City.

The Dolphins led in the opening 10 minutes when Craig Barker met John Baird’s corner with a thumping header, and that advantage was doubled when Jordan Callaghan rolled his marker and fired in at the near post.

Callaghan added a third in the second half, having initially supplied a cross for Michael Meija whose effort bobbled off the post. Mandurah’s victory extends their unbeaten run to three games and saw them move to within a point of the promotion play-off places.

That fourth spot is now held by Subiaco as their improved form of late continued with a 3-0 win over Kalamunda City.

All the goals were scored in the opening 45 minutes with Kaleb Morrison’s cross put in by Rubens Faure early in the piece.

Ben Bathgate teed up Faure for his second before Morrison’s spot-kick in added time gave Marc Wingell’s side a comfortable win. It was a third victory in four for Subiaco, while Kalamunda remain a point off the promotion play-off places despite being winless in four games.

Joondalup City are one point behind fourth place following a 3-1 win at Curtin University.

Curtin struck inside the opening 10 minutes when Jude Bailie scored following good pressure by Alfie Bryant and some unconvincing defending. But the lead lasted only two minutes, Jamie Sinnott hooking home from 12 yards to bring City level.

The visitors would win the game with two goals in two second-half minutes. First, Mason Gallagher scored from the penalty spot, and then Liam Peacock tucked away a free-kick from close range.

Finally, Gosnells City moved two points clear of the bottom of the league after defeating Inglewood United 3-1.

Aaron Coslani’s long throw caused problems for the visiting defence with Scott Pereira arriving to sweep in the opener.

Tony Chandler turned in Darren Francis’ cross from close range to double the lead near half-time and put Gosnells on course for a second win of the season.

Francis then looped in a header from Thang Sangpichung’s cross to wrap up the win, before Ryan Hogan nodded in a late consolation from Chad Nilson’s cross. The defeat means Inglewood replace Gosnells at the bottom of the league after seven matches.

DIVISION TWO

Cockburn City remain top of the second division following a convincing 3-1 win over Swan United.

Euan Grant and Isaac McVittie netted in the first half hour as the hosts took control of the contest at Dalmatinac Park.

Matthew Bowen added a third midway through the second period to seal the points, despite a late consolation from Danyel Dos Santos De Souza.

Quinns are two points behind the Cockerels with a game in hand as they continued their unbeaten start under Nick Jennings with a 5-1 win at fourth-placed Balga.

Jamie Gardiner’s opener gave Quinns a half-time buffer, before James Elkington-Soan netted a second-half hat-trick and James Oldroyd scored the other to give the visitors a big win. Ilja Nebylytsya got Balga’s goal.

East Perth are third but are now five points off the leaders after being held 1-1 by fifth-placed Carramar Shamrock Rovers, with Tomas Hehir’s goal for the hosts cancelled out by Lewis Jones at Hudson Park.

DIVISION TWO RESULTS, FIXTURES & STANDINGS

At the other end of the league, Rockingham City prevailed 4-3 at home to bottom side Wembley Downs to move into mid-table.

Alex Christodoulakis had twice put Wembley in front in the first half, only for Rockingham to peg them back on both occasions through Shaun Mukwevho.

Luke Coltman had the visitors up once again before the break only for Raphael Gomba’s penalty and Mukwevho’s 87th minute winner to complete a second half turnaround.

Ashfield are also in mid-table as they stretched their unbeaten run to five games with a 2-1 win at Wanneroo.

A first-half own goal and Nathan Scully’s 56th-minute effort had the away side on top and that was how it stayed, even though Bosko Koloski came off the bench to pull one back.

Forrestfield United also moved clear of the bottom with a 5-2 win over Canning City, giving them back-to-back victories.

Austin Reynolds netted a brace with Matthew Evans, Alex Baker and Callum Shepherd also on the score sheet, while Canning’s goals came from Bill Orr and Mason Langham.