Olympic, RedStar two points clear of Stirling

Olympic Kingsway returned to the top of the New Balance NPL WA Men’s competition after defeating previous leaders Western Knights 2-1 at Madman Arena.

The 2024 champions completed a thrilling turnaround with a last-minute Rob Harker goal to claim victory and sit goal difference clear of Perth RedStar on the table and two points in front of STirling Macedonia. Knights, meanwhile, slip out of the top four with their second defeat in three matches.

Knights had the first good opportunity when Kosta Sparta flashed an effort across the face of goal, while at the other end Liam Boland’s cutback was put over by Ali Mohammed.

Another Sparta attempt was tipped over by Adrian Sinagra as the opening half ended goalless. But the visitors got their noses in front on 65 minutes when substitute Sam Barry cut inside from the left and curled brilliantly across Sinagra from the edge of the box.

Olympic equalised six minutes later when Aryn Williams opened his account for the season with a header from Mitch Oxborrow’s free-kick. Oxborrow then saw an effort graze the top of the bar, while Harker forced a save from Anthony Lance as the hosts set about winning the game.

The goal did eventually arrive for the Green Machine two minutes into stoppage time after good work from Joe Hobson saw him pull back for Harker, who swivelled and struck home.

RedStar joined Olympic on 17 points with a 4-2 win over Balcatta Etna to make three consecutive victories.

Callum Salmon’s side led on 10 minutes when Liam Murray drove in from the edge of box and they had a two-goal advantage by half-time courtesy of Riley Warland’s stunning free kick.

Balcatta got one back when Charlie Betts crossed for Matthew Tomassone to finish emphatically into the roof of the net, but Blair Govan’s header and Aaron Black’s coolly taken finish all but sealed the win.

The home side got a late consolation via Rene Kisesa’s spectacular strike in stoppage time and remain three points from safety in the relegation play-off spot.

Stirling Macedonia made it back-to-back wins and went third after defeating bottom side Armadale 4-2 at Alfred Skeet Reserve.

The home side were up on 12 minutes when Will Hayes played a give-and-go with Corey Sutherland down the right and scored at the second time of asking after seeing his initial effort blocked by Hristijan Jankuloski.

Despite their good start, Armadale were reduced to 10 men when Will Formston was shown a red card after barging into Callum McKenzie who was running towards goal.

Stirling pulled level with the extra man late in the first half when Bayley Brown-Montgomery headed in Euan Cameron’s corner. But Armadale were ahead at the interval as Craig Barker turned in Leigh Griffith’s free-kick in added time.

However, history repeated itself for the home side, who let slip a lead for a third time in four weeks to sit four points away from safety. Brown-Montgomery was involved again in the second equaliser as he squared for McKeznie to finish from close range for his seventh goal of the season.

Pacifique Dufitimukiza made it goals in back-to-back games when finding himself in the right place at the right time from a free-kick, before debutant Finlay Paterson tucked home a first NPL goal for the club from McKenzie’s pass.

Sorrento FC continued their excellent recent form following a 1-0 win at Fremantle City.

Dean Cummings was the matchwinner for a second week running with his clever back-heel following some terrific wing play from Clay Gibbs. The Gulls have now won their past four games, with three clean sheets,to sit three points off the top in sixth. Freo drop to eighth.

There was a 2-2 draw between Dianella White Eagles and Perth Glory in the evening kick-off as both sides edged away from danger.

Hugo Snowden calmly side-footed Dianella ahead before the break, only for Shaun Mutyavaviri to round White Eagles keeper Joel Driscoll and level. The home side retook the lead 10 minutes from the end when Franc Gamiz Quer netted after Chris Saldaris' header had hit the post. But Glory grabbed a point when Maxim Uvarov diverted the ball in from close range.

Finally, Bayswater City defeated Perth Azzurri 3-2 on Friday night to make it back-to-back wins and return to the top four.

Both sides traded goals in the opening six minutes at Frank Drago Reserve. Pat Loughrey swept in a first goal of the campaign from Brent Quick’s long throw, while at the other end Ethan Banks’ hit from outside the box flew through a sea of bodies and into the net.

Daniel Stynes slotted Bayswater into a half-time lead and the reigning champions gave themselves breathing room when a stunning Stynes pass released Chris Jackson to score his seventh of the season.

Perth probed for a route back into the game with plenty of possession and territory which led to Michael Scafetta’s cross sneaking in to reduce the arrears 12 minutes from the end. But the Azzurri ran out of time and dropped out of the finals places to seventh, albeit only four points off top spot.