Three teams maintain perfect start while Glory deny Azzurri with late leveller

Fremantle City got their season off and running in Round Two of the New Balance NPLWA – Men’s competition as they prevailed 4-3 in a seven-goal thriller with Balcatta Etna at Home Group Stadium.

It was a first win of the campaign for Scott Miller’s side who celebrated Sicilian Cup night in style, while Etna still await their first points of 2026.

Iljas Ahmedov bagged a maiden Freo goal from close range after good work from Chad Nilson down the left, but Balcatta were level by the quarter-hour mark courtesy of a brilliant Jon Stynes volley which looped up and over Luke Radonich.

The visitors only had to wait 60 seconds to retake the lead when Nilson controlled and finished Max Naylor’s cross from the right. They were pegged back again, though, as Darius Ghinea cut in from the left and curled into the bottom corner for 2-2 at half-time.

Ghinea was on target once more to give Balcatta a first lead of the evening when nodding in Jared Flavel’s header across goal on 52 minutes.

However, two goals in three minutes midway through the second half ultimately gave City the points.

Reigning Gold Medal winner Charlie Chechlacz tied it up from the penalty spot on 66 minutes. Then Nilson won it soon after when cutting in from the right and beating Stefan Sotirovski at his near post with a low effort.

Ghinea and Flavel flashed efforts wide with Balcatta’s best chances of an equaliser as it ended 4-3 in Freo’s favour.

Elsewhere on Saturday evening, Callum McKenzie scored a hat-trick as Stirling Macedonia made it two wins from two games following a 3-0 win at northern suburbs rivals Sorrento FC.

After a goalless first half, Stirling led just past the hour  when Jaime Bilaloski released McKenzie who dinked smartly over the onrushing Ben Ratajczak.

McKenzie doubled his tally from the penalty spot and three points were sealed on 76 minutes when Kai Matthews’ cross ran through to the Scot who calmly finished on the half volley.

Stirling are one of three teams with a 100% record at the end of Round Two, as are Western Knights who defeated Dianella White Eagles 3-1 at Nash Field.

Justin Tang got the ball rolling on 14 minutes with a close-range finish from Kosta Sparta’s cross making it goals in back-to-back games.

Two goals either side of the break for Aaron Pike would ensure a second Knights win in a row, as he redirected Jesse Lazzaro’s effort into the net from six yards for 2-0.

The Englishman’s second was a stunning finish as he collected Sparta’s smart backheel and rifled high into the top corner from just outside the box.

Franc Gamiz Quer’s late header from a corner proved only to be a consolation for Dianella who are still chasing a first win since promotion.

The league leaders on goal difference are Bayswater City who won 2-0 over nine-man Armadale on Friday night thanks to two goals from Chris Jackson.

Armadale were looking to bounce back after defeat to Knights in Round One and were presented with an opportunity to take the lead from the penalty spot when Abraham Mathet was fouled by Lewis Italiano. However, Hamish Van Dieken’s spot kick crashed off the post, and it went from bad to worse for the visitors when Corey Sutherland was shown a straight red card for a challenge on Sam Mitchinson.

Bayswater eventually broke Armadale’s resistance as Jackson bagged two  goals in the final 23 minutes against his former side.

The first was a header from Declan Hughes’ corner and his second brace in as many weeks was complete from the penalty spot after a last-ditch block from Emerson Alexis, which saw the full-back sent off in stoppage time.

There were two draws in Round Two with one of them a goalless draw played out between Perth RedStar and Olympic Kingsway on a hot Saturday afternoon. Both teams remain unbeaten with Olympic two points off the leading pack, while RedStar have drawn their opening two matches.

Finally, there was late drama at Dorrien Gardens as Perth Azzurri and Perth Glory played out a thrilling 2-2 draw on Friday night.

Sebastian Despotovski hit the post and Gordon Perkins had an effort cleared off the line in a fast and frantic first half which ended goalless. But the breakthrough was made five minutes after the restart when Oliver Evans’ perfectly weighted pass found Louis Sollitt, who picked out the bottom corner.

Perth levelled with 10 minutes remaining when Julian Kelly’s cross found Gordon Perkins, whose turn and strike opened his account for the season.

Kenny Lowe’s side hit the front just before the 90-minute mark when Ethan Banks’ cross was expertly brought down and finished by Pieter Jacobsz, who made it two goals in two games since his move from Armadale.

But within a minute Glory levelled as substitute Santi Flores collected Cristiano Farfan’s pass and slotted in to earn the youngsters a share of the spoils. Glory start with two draws on the road, while the Azzurri pick up their first point of the campaign.