Radonich denies Uni crucial win ahead of Division One title showdown
DIVISION ONE
UWA Nedlands blew the chance to put one hand on the State League Division One title on Saturday after they missed a penalty with virtually the last kick of the game.
Alec Radonich’s excellent save from Iljas Ahmedov’s 96th-minute spot-kick meant Uni had to settle for a 1-1 draw against lowly Curtin University. UWA remain two points ahead of title rivals Dianella White Eagles, whose later game at Mandurah City also finished all square.
The two draws leave everything to play for when the top two meet in their rescheduled Round 20 fixture at Dianella Reserve this Wednesday night. Victory for Uni will see them win the league and promotion to the NPL, while any other result will send the title race to the final round of the season.
On the weekend, UWA had to come from behind when Mackenzie Snooks headed in Rowan Steed’s free-kick on seven minutes. Curtin then had a chance to extend their lead when they were awarded a penalty of their own for a foul on Kieran Witt, only for Nathan Smith to see his spot-kick comfortably saved by Tadgh O’Malley.
A minute later, Sebastian Hooshangian levelled for Uni when driving home from range. And that was how it stayed despite a second penalty of the game late in stoppage time. Radonich pushed Ahmedov’s shot onto the crossbar and Curtin defender Mighael Muller scrambled the ball to safety.
The draw keeps Curtin two points clear of the bottom two and they will be safe should they defeat Joondalup City in their Round 19 catch-up game this Wednesday.
With Curtin’s game a 1pm kick-off, Dianella knew they would return to the top on goal difference with a win at Mandurah. Instead, they also had to settle for a 1-1 draw. Albert Luwi scored for Dianella on 55 minutes after cutting in from the left and curling home. But the Dolphins equalised when Robbie Galvin put away the rebound after his penalty had been saved by Joel Driscoll.
In the race for the promotion play-off spots, Kingsley Westside beat Gosnells City 2-1 to jump to third and above Joondalup City and Gwelup Croatia, who drew 2-2 at Iluka Sports Complex.
DIVISION ONE RESULTS, FIXTURES & STANDINGS
Kingsley striker Max Adamson netted twice in the first half to move one goal behind Ahmedov in the race for the Golden Boot. The striker scored after latching onto Paul Stewart’s flick-on, before nodding in from close range after a Luke Doyle corner slipped through the grasp of City keeper Duncan Lennon-Black.
Doyle’s own goal with five minutes remaining set up a nervous finish for the hosts, but Kingsley saw it through to set up an exciting final day when they travel to Gwelup with a place in the inter-divisional play-offs on the line.
That is a game fifth-place Gwelup now almost certainly have to win after they conceded a late equaliser against Joondalup City.
The sides traded goals in the first 10 minutes, with Jeremie Mba side-footing home for Gwelup before Sam McCracken looped in a header from Tom Hunt’s free-kick. City should have been ahead at the break after they were awarded a penalty for Emmanuel Langoya’s trip on Mason Gallagher. But on a day of missed spot-kicks, Gallagher had his effort saved by Rocco Liberti.
Ben Campbell’s shot deflected kindly to David Heagney, whose header had Gwelup ahead in the final 10 minutes. But substitute Callum Stocks’ overhead kick from close range provided another twist in the top-four picture, which means City need to win just one of its two remaining games to lock in a play-off spot.
Elsewhere, Murdoch University Melville kept their outside hopes of promotion alive after holding off a stirring fightback from Kalamunda City.
Ed-Wynne Willson’s deflected effort looped in to put Murdoch in front, and they doubled their lead when Seagh Harris raced clear to finish confidently past Jake Maley-Orr.
Gustavo Marulanda slotted home twice before the interval as Marc Anthony’s side led 4-0 at half-time, but Kalamunda rallied and fell just short of an incredible comeback.
Sean Palethorpe’s effort from the edge of the box squeezed in to pull one back, before Andrea Erbetta’s 30-yard screamer flew into the top corner. Erbetta’s penalty made it 4-3 but time ran out for Kalamunda, who must beat title-chasing Dianella on the final day to stand any chance of avoiding the relegation play-off spot.
MUM FC, meanwhile, need to win their final two matches and hope other results go their way if they are to finish in the top four.
Finally, Inglewood United and Subiaco played out an inconsequential 2-2 draw in a meeting between eighth and ninth.
Cammron Morris’ header across goal was put in by Matthew Keith for United’s opener, but subi were level at the interval when Ivan Skorich headed in a Dean Evans’ free-kick.
Jason Dunphy’s spot-kick had Inglewood ahead for a second time, before a late handball gave Evans the chance to earn Subi a draw from the spot in the 96th minute penalty.
DIVISION TWO
Quinns edged closer to a return to Division One with a thumping 6-0 win over Rockingham City.
Elliot Ireland scored twice with James Oldroyd, Joel Sollitt, Tyler Holden and Paul Grant also netting.
Quinns stay five points clear East Perth and Cockburn City, who both won.
East Perth won 3-2 away to Balga thanks to Ross Buckley’s brace in the final five minutes. Cian Guest and Jose Zuniga had earlier put Balga 2-1 ahead after Ryan McCready’s opener, but the loss means the hosts drop out of the promotion play-off places.
Cockburn stay third as Luka Caceres, James Bourne and Ben Thorpe scored in a 3-0 win over second-bottom Ashfield at Dalmatinac Park.
DIVISION TWO RESULTS, FIXTURES & STANDINGS
Elsewhere, Forrestfield has a stranglehold on the final play-off spot after winning 2-1 against Wanneroo City. Josh Allum cancelled out Austin Reynolds’ opener, but Zach Hogg won it for Darryl Platten’s side who are two points clear of fifth-placed Balga and have two games in hand. Roos stay one point above Ashfield.
Wembley Downs are now seven points clear of the bottom two after edging Canning City 2-1. Ayden Dragun scored Canning’s opener, with Lachlan Chamberlain and Toby Robertson turning it round in the final 17 minutes.
Despite the loss, Canning are still well ahead of bottom side Swan United, who lost 1-0 at Carramar Shamrock Rovers. Jack Reilly got the only goal on 26 minutes, leaving Swan six points adrift at the foot of the table.
