Football West News
The inter-divisional play-off finals provided plenty of talking points in the three games at the Sam Kerr Football Centre.
NPL/Division One Play-off final: Armadale 3-0 UWA Nedlands
Armadale retained their New Balance NPL status for 2027 with a deserved win over UWA Nedlands.
John Baird’s side proved too strong for their Division One opponents, who went out in the play-offs for the second successive year after finishing runners-up in the league.
Army went ahead inside eight minutes. Will Hayes intercepted a pass in midfield and immediately released Leigh Griffiths, who lobbed keeper Jim Collins.
Uni improved after the break. But aside from a goalline clearance from Cherno Bah to deny Billy Banda, they were generally kept at arm’s length.
Bah made it two 15 minutes from time when he followed in after Griffiths had struck the post with a curler, before substitute Kyle Murray completed the scoring in stoppage time after Cameron Murray had also hit the woodwork.
Armadale’s win means this is the third successive season the top-flight side has won the NPL-Division One play-off final, following successes for Perth Glory in 2024 and Fremantle City 12 months ago.
Division One/Division Two Play-off final: Rockingham City 0-3 Balga
Balga’s outstanding run in the second half of the season has been rewarded with promotion to Division One for the first time since 1997.
After Amir Dzamastagic took over as head coach at the start of June, Balga lost just one of their last 13 league games to finish fourth and earn a place in the play-offs.
They knocked out first-division Subiaco over two legs in the semi-final, and on Saturday completed the job with a 3-0 win over Rockingham City.
They opened the scoring on 13 minutes when Ivwananji Simbile put a great ball across the face of the Rockingham goal for David Dimola to score at the back post.
The second arrived just after the hour and what a goal it was. Jose Zuniga was the scorer, a stunning one-step free-kick which Rocky keeper Kurtis Goodwin could do nothing about.
Fifteen minutes later it was all over as Samir Ramos waltzed through the Rockingham defence before smashing in his side’s third.
While Balga join champions Carramar Shamrock Rovers in promotion, it was a disappointing finish for Rockingham after they led the league for most of the season before falling away over the closing weeks.
Division Two/Belt Up Amateur Premier Play-off final: North Beach 0-1 Noranda Emerald
An excellent finish from Jack McClelland was enough to give Noranda Emerald promotion to the State League for the first time.
McClelland smashed home at an angle 10 minutes into the second half to settle a tight affair.
The result was the perfect way to round off the first season since Emerald FC merged with Noranda.
While Ger Gaughan’s side go up alongside Belt Up Amateur Premier champions Wanneroo City, North Beach return to Sunday football after just one season in Division Two.
