Kingsway, Gosnells all set to go up
Olympic Kingsway have all but confirmed their Men's State League Division One title and promotion to the NPL after a 2-0 win over Fremantle City on Saturday.
David Tough’s team won a 10th home game in 10 to sit six points and significant goal difference clear of Western Knights, who remain second. One more point in Kingsway’s remaining games against Rockingham and UWA Nedlands would officially kickstart the celebrations.
Tyler Garner rattled in the opener from the edge of the area a minute before the break, and Michael Zimarino followed in for the second after Jordan Barbas saved Ewan Fawcett’s initial shot.
Knights maintained mathematical hope with a 2-0 win over UWA Nedlands but need a remarkable turn of events in the next fortnight to lift the Division One trophy.
Both goals at Nash Field came in the first 20 minutes with Dean Hurley getting both to make it three straight games where he has found the back of the net. The first was one he could not miss from a yard out after Noah Shamaki’s cross, before finding the corner after a ball over the top.
The division's top scorers Mandurah City moved up to third place after a 5-0 win away at Forrestfield United.
Hamish Van Dieken scrambled in the first on 35 minutes, before four goals in the second half packed a punch for City.
Two goals in five minutes from Joe O’Brien took his tally to 20 for the season, which gives him a five-goal lead over Kingsway’s Ciaran Byrne in the Golden Boot race. The first he poked in following a cross from the left, while the second was a cool finish when through on goal.
Former Scotland and Celtic striker Leigh Griffiths could make his debut in next week’s home game with Western Knights. He will only add to the Dolphins’ firepower as they finished the game strongly here with Shane Byrne and Afian Giyanto curling home late goals.
Murdoch University Melville seem likely to record a fifth-place finish in their first Division One season after winning 3-2 at Quinns.
All the goals came in the second half as Taki Nicolaidis’ team took the points. Joshua Gardner crashed home a volley for 1-0 and Declan Tanna doubled the lead with a close-range finish.
The goal of the game, however, was MUM FC’s third as Kaito Imada smashed in a brilliant dipping long-range strike from 35 yards.
Jackson Dongray and Joel Ledsham made it interesting with two goals in the final 10 minutes pulling it back to 3-2, but Quinns remain at the foot of the table and a point off UWA Nedlands having played an extra game.
Subiaco may also be looking over their shoulders after a 2-1 defeat to Joondalup United saw their winless streak extend to 11 games.
Adam Buckley netted with a poacher’s effort from close range in the first half, but Subi levelled after the interval through top scorer Emmanuel Langoya’s tap-in.
The visitors stay four points clear of safety after Jay Lang’s penalty 19 minutes from time gave Joondalup United the win and kept them seventh.
Finally, Dianella White Eagles and Rockingham City shared the points in a 2-2 draw.
Jordan Nikolajevic scored after two minutes with an assured one-on-one finish, but Shaun Mukwevho’s swivel-and-finish and Taylor Carter’s header made it a quickfire comeback for Rockingham. Kristian Despotovski’s penalty made it 2-2 early in the second period and that’s how it ended at Dianella Reserve.
In Division Two, Gosnells City took a giant stride towards the title with a 2-1 win over Carramar Shamrock Rovers in Saturday’s top-of-the-table clash.
A win over Balga on Tuesday night in one of two catch-up games on Rovers will also secure promotion back to Division One for Marc Anthony’s side, who have 15 wins from 18 games.
Aaron Coslani put Gosnells ahead in the first half, but a 21st goal of the season for Golden Boot leader Jamie Gibson made it 1-1 in the final 10 minutes. Wade Farmer got the winner with four minutes remaining to move City another step closer to success.
Rovers are already assured of their place in the inter-divisional playoffs, but behind them the race for a shot at promotion continues.
Swan United closed in a second straight appearance in the playoffs with a 3-0 win at home to Morley Windmills, which dented the visitors' chances of extending their season. John Monterosso helped himself to a pair of goals at the Swan Italian Club, while Jake Fritchley got the other.
Curtin currently hold fourth spot, despite losing 2-0 at Balga SC. This in turn aided the prospects of Gerhard Janssen’s team who went sixth.
Curtin still have a three-point margin on fifth, but have played more games than several of the chasers below. Kingsley Westside are the closest contenders for now but were held 2-2 at home to Wanneroo City despite a brace from Paul Stewart. Greg Greenwood got the equaliser six minutes from the end for Roos at Flinders Park.
Ashfield won 2-0 at Joondalup City to almost end the latter’s prospects of reaching the top four, as Lewis Robinson and Lucas Munoz-Despierre got the goals.
Finally, Cameron Hewitt scored a 94th minute winner as Canning City came from behind to win 2-1 at home to South West Pheonix. City are now eight points clear of Phoenix in the fight for survival and have a game in hand on their relegation rivals.