UWA Nedlands survive Curtin fightback to go top of Division One

DIVISION ONE

UWA Nedlands are the new leaders of the State League Division One competition after withstanding a late Curtin University comeback to win 4-3 at Edinburgh Oval.

Kris Donnell’s side are now a point clear of Dianella White Eagles after previous front-runners Gwelup Croatia fell 1-0 at home to play-off chasers Joondalup City.

A fifth win in six matches looked nailed on as Uni raced to a four-goal lead, starting with Roberto Soares’ stunning curler from 25 yards.

Migael Muller’s own goal doubled the lead, and the visitors were three up at the break when Mark Bauersachs crossed for Joe McInnes to score from close range.

Soares bent into the bottom corner just past the hour mark for 4-0, which all but put the game to bed, before Curtin rallied with three late goals to set up a nervous finish for UWA.

Rowan Steed and a Bauersachs own goal in the space of a minute gave Curtin a lifeline, followed by Nathan Smith’s penalty two minutes from the end. But the home side left it too late and they remain bottom of the league and two points from safety.

DIVISION ONE RESULTS, FIXTURES & STANDINGS

Dianella White Eagles also capitalised on the Gwelup’s defeat as they went second after 10 rounds with a come-from-behind 2-1 win over Mandurah City.

Jordan Callaghan had given the Dolphins a first-half lead with a stunning rising shot that flew past Joel Driscoll into the back of the net.

But Gavin Byars scored from the penalty spot in each half to turn the game in Dianella’s favour, and they held on for victory despite Kieran Colwell’s red card midway through the second period.

Both UWA and Dianella moved up a place in the standings after previous leaders Gwelup lost for the third time in five matches.

The only goal of the game was scored six minutes from time when substitutes Edward Wilcock set up Jayden Rowles to sweep home.

City have won their past three games and sit a point off fourth-place Subiaco, who struck late to beat Hahn Australia Cup Preliminary semi-finalists Inglewood United.

An unmarked Daniel Katz volleyed home Ludovic Boi’s back-post corner to give Marc Wingell’s side all three points, while Inglewood’s loss leaves them two points above bottom side Curtin.

MUM FC also left it late as they overcame Kalamunda City 1-0 to enhance their play-off prospects and sit three points off fourth.

Ed Wynne-Willson got it after being teed up by Pat Sara to drill through a sea of bodies in the penalty area and beyond the goalkeeper. The defeat means Kalamunda’s winless run continues and they sit just above the bottom two.

Finally, Kingsley Westside pushed into mid-table with a 5-0 win at Gosnells City, their biggest of the campaign.

Max Adamson’s cross was turned home by Shane Hulgraine for the opener, before Jack Roberts forced home from a set-piece towards the end of the opening period.

Kingsley ran away with it in the second half as Ben Ford glanced in Raeez Pandor’s free-kick, and then Ford slipped through Daler Tokhirov who poked past the goalkeeper.

Elliot Tattersall put in Tokhirov’s cross late on to cap a fine Kingsley away day with the back-to-back victories pulling them away from trouble.

DIVISION TWO

Cockburn City are still five points clear of the rest of their Division Two rivals after a 1-0 win at Ashfield.

Rory McGrath got the game’s only goal on 32 minutes as the Cockerels won for the eighth time in nine matches. Ashfield drop a place to 10th.

Quinns FC are back to second after winning 2-0 at Rockingham City with James Elkington-Soan and Jamie Gardiner getting the goals in each half.

Nick Jennings’ side leapfrogged East Perth, who were held 1-1 at home by sixth-placed Balga. Ryan McCready’s opener was cancelled out by Menghoung Chroek, who was later dismissed for a second yellow card for the visitors.

DIVISION TWO RESULTS, FIXTURES & STANDINGS

Carramar Shamrock Rovers occupy the remaining play-off position after a 2-0 win at bottom side Swan United. Keane Embleton-Hill came off the bench to score both goals in the final 20 minutes.

Forrestfield United are up to fifth and are three points off fourth spot thanks to their 3-1 win at Wanneroo City. This was a fourth win in a row for Daryl Platten’s side. Sherwin Tucker and Austin Reynolds had Forrestfield two-up before Jose Zuniga pulled one back for Roos. Sam Platten got the sealer from the penalty spot in the second half.

Finally, Canning City won 4-0 over Wembley Downs to push into mid-table and leave their opponents second bottom after nine rounds. Mitchell Smith netted twice and Bill Orr and Alex Guzman got the others as Canning moved up three places and seven points clear of the bottom.