Report by Tommy Doleman
The top three teams in the Men’s State League Division One all won on the weekend as Western Knights and Mandurah City set up a top-of-the-table clash for this Saturday.
The pair have won seven of their nine games in 2023 and are separated by just one point as the race for the title and promotion continues.
Knights cruised to a 3-0 win over Subiaco at Nash Field with two goals in the first 33 minutes setting them on their way. Shay Donovan stayed onside to slip past goalkeeper Conor Hogan in only the sixth minute, before Owen Goodliffe made it two with an outside-of-the-boot finish from the edge of the box.
Experienced midfielder Paul Lloyd capped another fine Knights day as he skipped past a challenge and whipped low into the corner to keep Adam Kostrencic’s team top.
Mandurah City held up their end of the bargain with a 2-0 win at bottom side Forrestfield United.
Both goals came within a minute of each other after the restart. Shaun Mukwevho headed home Robbie Galvin’s free-kick at the back post for the opener, then Joe O’Brien continued his relentless goalscoring form with a classy goal which saw him lift a ball around a defender and lob keeper Nicholas Stone.
Fremantle City sit two points behind the Dolphins after coming from two goals down to win 4-2 away to Gosnells City.
The hosts made a fast start inside two minutes when Tom Kennedy’s free-kick was headed in by Aaron Coslani, and it got even better when James Burns claimed the final touch from Joshua Spencer’s corner.
Freo responded almost immediately when Alex Mclean followed in Pat Loughrey’s blocked shot and three second-half goals made it five unbeaten for Matty Sparrow’s side.
Martim Galvao applied a simple finish after good work from Hamza Hina, before two Roberto Soares goals sealed things with the final strike a long-range special from the former Armadale man.
There is a five-point gap between City and fourth-placed Joondalup United who scored two late goals to snatch a point at Gwelup Croatia.
All the goals were scored in the second half with Charles Chechlacz’s 48th-minute free-kick making it 1-0 and Matthew Henry’s goal with a few minutes remaining seeming like the clincher.
But Jay Lang scored from the penalty spot as the clock ticked into injury time to give Nick Jennings’ team hope.
And with one final attack in the 97th minute, they snared an unlikely draw when James Harmer sneaked in behind and emphatically finished high into the net.
Murdoch University Melville also lost ground on the top three after a 4-3 home loss to Rockingham City, which lifted the visitors four points clear of the drop zone.
Taylor Carter’s header was cancelled out by Sebastian Hooshangian picking out the bottom corner, and goals were traded again as Rory McGrath put through the goalkeeper’s legs and Hooshangian netted again from the penalty spot.
Jayden Leader then capitalised on a mix-up at the back to make it 3-2, not long after a good save from Rocky keeper Cyril Sharrock. Josh Mackinder bagged a fourth for the away side in the final minute and that proved to be the winner despite Christo Vaenas’ consolation.
Finally, Dianella White Eagles moved into the top half of the league after collecting a 2-0 victory against UWA Nedlands.
Igor Cvijanovic got the first on nine minutes with a daisy-cutter that arrowed into the bottom corner and the win was completed deep in the second half when Jonty Pearson met Shane Barnes’ low cross and finished via the underside of the bar.
Division One results
Dianella White Eagles 2-0 UWA Nedlands
Forrestfield United 0-2 Mandurah City
Gosnells City 2-4 Fremantle City
Gwelup Croatia 2-2 Joondalup United
Murdoch University Melville 3-4 Rockingham City
Western Knights 3-0 Subiaco
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In Division Two, Kingsley Westside’s unbeaten start to the season continued as they came from behind to win 3-2 at Quinns and spoil the hosts’ 30th anniversary celebrations.
Steve Dimitrovich’s side have won eight of their nine games to maintain a three-point break on the rest, but they trailed 2-1 after 23 minutes after two quick Tyler Holden goals followed Paul Stewart’s opener.
Luke Salmon’s free-kick tied the game up early in the second half before Luke Doyle’s winner continued Kingsley’s magnificent start to the 2023 campaign.
Morley Windmills announced themselves as the main chasers after defeating Carramar Shamrock Rovers 2-1 in the meeting between second and third.
Chris Pugh struck early for Rovers but Ishmael Dawson continued his fine year with a goal in each half to turn the result around and make it six games unbeaten for Morley.
Marc Anthony’s side are five points clear of third-place Curtin who leapfrogged Carramar with a 3-0 win against Joondalup City. A couple of Simone Sichel goals put the hosts in pole position with Daniel Davey confirming the three points late on.
Swan United let a late lead slip to draw 1-1 with bottom side Canning City, who pulled a point closer to Quinns and Joondalup City in the race for survival. John Monterosso’s 84th-minute goal looked a likely winner, but William Jacobsz pulled his team level a minute with a minute of the ninety left.
Maddington-Kalamunda White City returned to winning ways with a Jake Melia own goal and Farruh Mavlonov’s double in the second period giving them a 3-0 win at home to Ashfield.
Balga also pulled clear of the relegation zone and boosted their play-off hopes with Jordan Rowe’s double helping them win 3-2 against Wanneroo City.
Division Two results
Balga 3-2 Wanneroo City
Curtin University 3-0 Joondalup City
Maddington-Kalamunda White City 3-0 Ashfield
Morley Windmills 2-1 Carramar Shamrock Rovers
Quinns 2-3 Kingsley Westside
Swan United 1-1 Canning City