Declan Tanna’s hat-trick helped Murdoch University Melville move within striking distance of top spot in Men’s State League Division One after they won 5-2 at Forrestfield United to stay unbeaten in season 2023.
Taki Nicolaidis’ team trail leaders Western Knights by two points ahead of next weekend’s top-of-the-table clash at Besteam Stadium after Knights were held at promoted Gosnells City.
Two goals in the first 14 minutes set MUM FC on their way at Crazy Domains Stadium on Saturday. Christos Vaenas was unmarked from six yards to slot in the opener, before Taj Bingwa collected Edward Wynne-Wilson’s pass and rifled across the goalkeeper.
Tanna got on the end of fast counter-attacking move to treble the lead, but Forrestfield did pull one back before the half-hour mark when Noah Appleby hooked in on the volley.
Tanna followed in to net again after Vaenas’ low free kick was parried into a dangerous area, and he went on to score a hat-trick with a header from Godfrey Asimwe’s corner.
Zakir Hussain’s penalty with 20 minutes remaining proved only to be a consolation as Forrestfield drop to the bottom of the division and are the only side without a win after five rounds.
Western Knights remain top of the league and also stay unbeaten but they did lose their 100% record after a 1-1 draw at Gosnells.
The promoted side went ahead when Tyron Pottier’s long-distance free-kick found its way past former Bayswater goalkeeper Devon Lindemann on 13 minutes.
But Adam Kostrencic’s team equalised midway through the second half when Jack Bardsley’s cross was spilled by Jack Adams with Shay Donovan on hand to net.
Mandurah City bounced back from defeat to UWA Nedlands in Round Four to move up to third place following a 2-1 win over Subiaco.
All the goals were scored in the final 17 minutes at Genesiscare Stadium with Murray Mackintosh pouncing on a loose ball to fire in the hosts’ opener following Sam Byrne’s cross.
The home side doubled their lead when Subi goalkeeper Conor Hogan was stranded as a long ball was sent forward and marksman Joe O’Brien lobbed into an empty net.
Aaron McGurk’s free-kick was glanced home by Maxime Bentley to give the visitors late hope, but they would drop to sixth in the standings, while the Dolphins are now four points off top spot.
Elsewhere, in-form striker Charlie Breen scored a hat-trick as Gwelup Croatia backed up last weekend’s Australia Cup success over NPL side Armadale by defeating Fremantle City 4-3.
Matty Sparrow’s team hit the front inside four minutes at Wishart Street when Anthony Topini’s initial strike was saved by Josiah Godfrey only for Roberto Soares to finish on the follow-up.
But fresh off his four-goal performance in the Cup, Breen levelled soon after when he pinched the ball from Hayden Stevens to run in and score.
Emmanuel Langoya was on the end of John Lahai’s cross to restore Gwelup’s lead and Breen would score again in the shadows of half time when he finished low past the goalkeeper for 3-1.
Breen then completed a hat-trick from the penalty spot early in the second period to cap a great week which has seen him score seven times in seven days.
Freo have shown they are capable of scoring goals this season though and they set up a nervy finale for the home side with two Riley Van Dieken goals. However, no leveller arrived and the visitors ended the weekend fourth and four points off the pace, while Gwelup are fifth and a further point back.
Joondalup United returned to winning way following back-to-back losses in the league as they eased past UWA Nedlands 3-0.
Ben Johns got the first as he headed home Jay Lang’s in-swinging corner, before Andrew Flint broke the offside trap and beat the goalkeeper at his near post.
Shaun Kilkelly’s close-range header after a wicked set-piece confirmed three points for Nick Jennings’ side early in the second half, as the northern suburbs club won their second match of the season.
Finally, Rockingham City bagged their first three points of 2023 with a 1-0 away victory against 10-man Dianella White Eagles.
Kane Fitch’s red card just before half time had the home team on the back foot going into the second period, and the game’s key moment happened on 50 minutes when Ryan Kennedy’s cross was headed in by Matt Worswick.
Division One results
Dianella White Eagles 0-1 Rockingham City
Forrestfield United 2-5 Murdoch University Melville
Gosnells City 1-1 Western Knights
Gwelup Croatia 4-3 Fremantle City
Joondalup United 3-0 UWA Nedlands
Mandurah City 2-1 Subiaco
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In Division Two, Kingsley Westside sit on top of the table with five wins from five following a 1-0 victory at previously unbeaten Curtin University.
The winning goal was scored by Jon Hulme early in the second period when his cross-cum-shot deceived the hosts rear-guard to give Steven Dimitrovich’s team a two point lead at the summit.
Kingsley are now outright top after Carramar Shamrock Rovers dropped their first points of the season in a 1-1 draw at Ashfield. Gareth Hamilton’s equaliser from the penalty spot six minutes from time cancelled out Phil O’Callaghan’s first half opener.
Morley Windmills and Swan United closed the gap on second place ahead of their meeting this Saturday. Marc Anthony’s Windmills are third following a 3-0 win at lowly Quinns, while Swan United are fourth and are also still unbeaten thanks to a 6-0 drubbing of Balga. Michael Yarker, Liam Merrigan (2), Brennan Borzecki (2) and Cameron Anderson scored Swan’s goals.
Wanneroo City got revenge on Joondalup City who knocked them out of the Australia Cup in round two by winning 3-2 for a third victory in four outings.
And Maddington-Kalamunda White City collected their first win since promotion from the Amateur competitions with Samir Ramos netting twice in a 5-1 hammering of bottom side Canning City. Farruh Mavlonov, Jose Zuniga and Gaston Bazet got the others.
Division Two results
Ashfield 1-1 Carramar Shamrock Rovers
Balga 0-6 Swan United
Curtin University 0-1 Kingsley Westside
Joondalup City 2-3 Wanneroo City
Maddington Kalamunda White City 5-1 Canning City
Quinns 0-3 Morley Windmills