DIVISION ONE
Inglewood United took a giant stride towards confirming their safety in State League Division One after a last-gasp 3-2 win away at Gwelup Croatia in Round 20.
Cammron Morris was the late hero as Cam Lord’s team scored a stoppage-time winner for the second week in a row to move five points clear of the relegation play-off spot with two games left.
Gwelup, meanwhile, stay fourth for now but find themselves under pressure from fifth-placed Kingsley Westside in the race for the promotion play-off places.
The home side led four minutes before the break when Matt Henry slipped a pass through for Christos Vaenas to finish confidently across the goalkeeper and into the bottom corner.
Inglewood were level three minutes after the restart when Chad Nilson was fouled in the box and Jason Dunphy converted from the penalty spot. They then took the lead before the hour as Jordan Black’s cross was put in by Matthew Keith at the back post.
Gwelup were reduced to 10 men when Henry collected his second yellow card but they equalised in the 91st minute courtesy of a superb first-time volley from Jai Rawling which looped up and over Conor Hogan.
DIVISION ONE RESULTS, FIXTURES & STANDINGS
It seemed as though the points would be shared but there was a late twist when Nilson surged down the left and crossed for Morris to force in and give Inglewood the points.
That proved to be a good result for Kingsley, who closed to within a point of top four following their own late winner at Curtin University on Friday night.
Sam Mattock converted from a corner as Kingsley’s charge towards the play-offs continued while Curtin keep their heads just above water in their bid to stay in the second tier.
Elsewhere, Gosnells City have been relegated to State League Division Two despite holding third-placed Joondalup City to a 1-1 draw at Walter Padbury Reserve.
Amro Atta cut inside his opponent and drove to the edge of the box before rifling into the bottom corner as Gosnells opened the scoring.
But it was all square before the break when Mason Gallagher did well to keep the ball alive on the right byline and roll across for Harry Edwards to put in. The point keeps City third in the standings but they are now only two points clear of fifth after failing to win in their past two matches.
Finally, Mandurah City eased to a 3-1 victory over Kalamunda City in a result that all but ends any relegation fears.
It was Mandurah’s first game since announcing during the week that player-manager John Baird was leaving after a long stint with the club. They were two up at half-time courtesy of Ben Gallagher’s opener and Robbie Galvin’s penalty. Gallagher latched on to a long throw and cut in from the left to make it 3-0 midway through the second half and all but wrap up a victory which moved the Dolphins into mid-table.
Kalamunda pulled one back through Bernardo Fergonzi’s long-range effort but it proved only to be a consolation as they stay a point from safety and have now played a game more than Curtin in 10th.
Two games fell victim to the weather with Subiaco and Murdoch University Melville’s match postponed, while the top-of-the-table clash between Dianella White Eagles and UWA Nedlands was also washed out.
DIVISION TWO
The rain also affected four of Division Two’s six matches this weekend but the meeting of the top two did go ahead as leaders Quinns took a stranglehold on the league title with a 2-1 win at East Perth.
Ben Wyeth and James Oldroyd both scored in three first-half minutes to put Nick Jennings’ side in control and they held on to win, despite Ryan McCready’s goal against his former club 14 minutes from time. Quinns are now five points clear of second-place East Perth and Cockburn City with four games remaining.
The other game which survived the conditions saw Rockingham City pick up a massive 3-2 win at Lark Hill against Carramar Shamrock Rovers, whose play-off ambitions have faltered over recent weeks.
DIVISION TWO RESULTS, FIXTURES & STANDINGS
Tom Kinnane and an Aidan O’Donnell own goal put Rockingham two-up before Jack Reilly pulled one back for the visitors. Delano Adams scored what proved to be the winner on 78 minutes despite Rovers’ Louie Martin giving the home side a late scare.
The win for Rockingham saw them jump from 11th to seventh in the league and eight points clear of bottom side Swan United having played three games than them. Rovers’ loss is a blow to their promotion hopes as they sit five points off fourth place Forrestfield and have now played two games more.
Canning City’s match with Cockburn, Ashfield fixture against Forrestfield, Wanneroo City’s clash with Balga and Swan United’s game with Wembley Downs were all postponed due to the weather and will be rescheduled in the coming weeks.
