New Balance NPL WA Men's: Boland treble keeps Olympic ahead of Knights
Liam Boland scored a hat trick as Olympic Kingsway came from a goal down to defeat Perth Glory 4-2 and remain top of the New Balance NPLWA – Men’s competition.
The Green Machine are two points clear of the rest and remain unbeaten after five rounds while Glory’s second defeat in as many games sees them fall to ninth and four points above the bottom two.
Louis Sollitt took it upon himself to drive into the box and fire across Adrian Sinagra on 34 minutes, which gave the youngsters a lead at the break at the newly named Madman Arena.
Olympic were level eight minutes after the restart when Noah Ieraci fed Rob Harker, who smoothly turned and slotted into the back of the net.
The Boland show began moments later when the striker finished from close range, before curling home a powerful low free-kick for 3-1 midway through the second period.
A header from in-form Sollitt gave Glory a lifeline in the final quarter of an hour and moved the striker to four goals for the campaign. But Boland linked up with Harker late on to get his fourth of the season as well and keep Kingsway’s strong start going.
Western Knights are the division’s other unbeaten side and remain two points behind the leaders after winning 4-2 against Perth RedStar.
Three goals in the opening 28 minutes gave Adam Kostrencic’s team a platform to victory, with English full-back Regan Hutchinson venturing forward to drive in his first goal for the club.
Kristian Santich finished a swift counter to double the hosts' lead before the midfielder rattled in from the edge of the area to treble the advantage.
RedStar got one back before half-time after a nicely constructed goal down the left flank which ended with Matty George rolling across the goalkeeper.
Tom Hough’s handball allowed Jesse Lazarro to make it 4-1 from the penalty spot and give Knights a match-winning lead, despite substitute Jacob Evans’ brilliant consolation, which was curled into the top corner from 25 yards.
Stirling Macedonia climbed into third spot after returning to winning ways with a 3-1 victory against Perth Azzurri.
Two goals in seven first-half minutes set Stirling on their way in the first of two DT38 clashes in 2026. Callum McKenzie opened the scoring when forcing Kade Fearnall’s free-kick over the line, before Calvin Whitney netted after Perth got themselves in a muddle playing out from the back.
The visitors were back in it on 54 minutes when Gordon Perkins teed up Julian Kelly to arrow into the bottom corner. But 10 minutes later, Jamie Bilaloski finished McKenzie’s pass to complete the scoring and end a run of back-to-back losses for Stirling.
Just two points separate Stirling in third and Perth in eighth in a compact middle portion of the table. Promoted Dianella White Eagles are also in that cluster and pushed into the top four on Saturday following a 2-0 win over defending champions Bayswater City.
Cory McNelis poked past the goalkeeper from Sasa Njegic’s pass to net the first against his former side on 28 minutes. The win was wrapped up early in the second half when George Ballah’s cutback was swept into the corner by Albert Luwi as Ian Ferguson’s team extended their unbeaten stretch to three, while Baysie are now three without a win.
Finally, Chad Nilson scored a 94th-minute winner as Fremantle City came from behind at Hilton Park to beat Armadale 2-1 and go four games unbeaten.
The Army were in front on 34 minutes courtesy of Scotland Morrison’s turn and strike from 18 yards after a break from Corey Sutherland down the left.
Armadale were reduced to 10 men when Cherno Bah was dismissed just before the interval. Charlie Chechlacz then pulled Freo level on 50 minutes when arriving from midfield to drill into the roof of the net.
Nilson’s winner came from a corner in stoppage time as he headed in Riley Woodcock’s delivery to send Freo fifth and goal difference.
Sorrento FC’s home fixture with Balcatta was postponed with a date for the rescheduled match still to be confirmed.
