Hahn Australia Cup: East Perth stun Stirling Macedonia, Inglewood beat Sorrento
East Perth pulled off a massive upset in the Hahn Australia Cup as they sent Stirling Macedonia crashing out at Hudson Park.
Goals from Kaelyn Thompson, Ryan McCready and Gerry Clark saw the State League Division Two side secure a 3-1 win over the New Balance NPL WA Night Series winners in Saturday's Preliminary Round Four tie. It also ended Stirling’s hopes of repeating last year's appearance on the national stage of the competition and of successfully defending the State Cup.
Another New Balance NPL side to fall to a team from a lower division were Sorrento FC, who lost 3-2 at State League Division One Inglewood United. Trailing at the interval to Owen Goodliffe’s opener, Sorrento turned it round with goals by Alexander Jovanovic and Clay Gibbs. But Inglewood were not to be denied and two excellent goals from Liam Hudson and Shane McMonagle put Inglewood into the next round.
NPL strugglers Balcatta Etna avoided a similar fate as they won 1-0 at Division One leaders Kingsley Westside. Jesse Fuller got the only goal four minutes into the second half.
In the all-NPL game at Madaman Arena, Olympic Kingsway overcame Perth Azzurri 4-1. Ali Mohamed gave Olympic a first-half lead, which was cancelled out by Zayd Farah’s deflected header. League leaders Olympic keeper Adrian Sinagra then pulled off an incredible one-handed save to prevent Perth from taking the lead, and it proved pivotal as the hosts ran over their opponents with goals from Rob Harker, Daniel De Silva and Joe Hobson.
In the only other all-NPL tie, two goals apiece from Aaron Black and Gordon Smith helped Perth RedStar turn around a half-time deficit and beat Armadale 4-1 at Alfred Skeet Reserve. Craig Barker got the Armadale goal.
Western Knights, who are second in the NPL, came from behind to beat second division Kalamunda City 4-2. Knights were aided by two own goals, while Aaron Pike and Kristian Santich also netted for the hosts. Lorran De Almeida scored both of Kalamunda’s goals.
Fremantle City made no mistake away to State League Division Two Carramar Shamrock Rovers, running out 3-0 winners. In-form Chad Nilson scored two with Max Naylor curling home a brilliant effort from the edge of the box.
And Dianella White Eagles were similarly untroubled at Division One UWA Nedlands, winning 4-1.
Northern City, the lowest-ranked side still in the competition, gave a good account of themselves before bowing out 2-1 at State League Division Two Ashfield. Angus Taylor gave Ashfield an early lead, before Nader Khayat levelled for the Belt Up Amateur Division Four outfit just after the hour. Extra-time looked on the cards, only for Ashfield to snatch a winner three minutes from the end of normal time.
Amateur first division side Ellenbrook United led 2-1 at half-time against State League Division Two Rockingham City, only to lose 3-2. Keegan Fletcher restored Ellenbrook’s advantage just before the break, but ultimately goals from Mitchell Kelman, Mitchell Foley and Tom Kinnane ensured City’s passage.
Two sides from State League Division Two took down opposition from the tier above. A Luke Salmon brace and a goal from Isaac Toah Ntow helped Morley Windmills shock Gwelup Croatia 3-0. Meanwhile, Wembley Downs knocked out Subiaco 1-0, Josh Waldock the matchwinner.
Likhwa Tshabangu and Jude Baillie were on target as State League Division One team Curtin University won 2-1 at Division Two Forrestfield United. Marvin Masso scored United’s goal.
In a similar match-up between Joondalup City and Gosnells City, the Division One side also triumphed. Joondalup’s goals came from Reece Kral, Sam McKearnen and Louis Hadfield, with Darren Francis on the scoresheet for Gosnells.
On Friday, reigning NPL champions Bayswater City beat Murdoch University Melville 2-1. Brent Quick and Daniel Stynes put Baysie two up, while Alan Carroll grabbed a late consolation for State League Division One MUM FC.
The final Amateur League side still alive are Perth AFC, who host Cockburn City on Sunday.
The draw for Round Five will take place in the week.
Results
Bayswater City 2-1 Murdoch University Melville
Carramar Shamrock Rovers 0-3 Fremantle City
East Perth 3-1 Stirling Macedonia
Western Knights 4-2 Kalamunda City
Armadale 1-4 Perth RedStar
Ashfield 2-1 Northern City
Forrestfield United 1-2 Curtin University
Joondalup City 3-1 Gosnells City
UWA Nedlands 1-4 Dianella White Eagles
Olympic Kingsway 4-1 Perth Azzurri
Ellenbrook United 2-3 Rockingham City
Kingsley Westside 0-1 Balcatta Etna
Wembley Downs 1-0 Subiaco
Inglewood United 3-2 Sorrento FC
Morley Windmills 3-0 Gwelup Croatia
Sunday
Perth AFC v Cockburn City (2.30pm)