The New Balance NPL WA Men’s Top Four Cup began in sensational fashion with two hugely eventful semi-finals.
At Frank Drago Reserve, a Chris Jackson hat-trick helped holders Bayswater City come from 3-0 down in the opening 18 minutes to beat Olympic Kingsway 5-3.
The win sends Bayswater straight into Saturday’s final at the Sam Kerr Football Centre while Olympic get a second chance due to their top-two league finish.
That will be on Tuesday night when they host Perth Azzurri (7pm). Two stoppage-time goals gave Azzurri a 3-1 win away to Perth RedStar, whose season is now over.
The game between league champions Bayswater and runners-up Olympic was barely three minutes old when the visitors went ahead through Jack Clisby’s back-post finish. Less than 10 minutes later they were two up as Will Ferson was pulled back in the box and Liam Boland converted the penalty. Not long after, Boland made it three.
Bayswater have become known for their comebacks and they had a lifeline soon after thanks to Cam Teece’s clever lob which caught out Mark Birighitti. The Olympic keeper was then involved in the game’s flashpoint when he was sent off for a clash with Jackson. The Baysie striker doubled the punishment by sticking his penalty beyond substitute keeper Adrian Sinagra.
Olympic made it through to half-time with their lead intact but the 10 men eventually cracked. Jackson slammed home the equaliser, Luke Palmateer headed in from a corner, before Jackson completed his treble as the tiring Kingsway defence played themselves into trouble.
Neil Kilkenny’s side must now regroup for their preliminary final against Azzurri at Madman Arena.
Golden Boot winner Pieter Jacobsz put the visitors in front from the spot on seven minutes following a RedStar handball. They held the lead until the 77th minute, when Gordon Smith released Jacob Evans who finished well.
However, Azzurri had the final say. Former RedStar left-back Sam Pollard clipped a terrific cross for Michael Scafetta to head in. Then as RedStar chased an equaliser to force extra-time, Azzurri broke and David Ninkovich slid in to score.
