UWA overcome gritty Gosnells as rivals falter
DIVISION ONE
UWA Nedlands returned to the top of State League Division One after they came from behind on three occasions to defeat Gosnells City 4-3 on Saturday.
With their three nearest rivals all losing, it was a good afternoon for Uni as they went a point clear of previous leaders Dianella White Eagles having played one game fewer.
The result saw Gosnells slip to the bottom of the table, but they can take heart from their spirited display. Two close-range finishes from Moses Macauley and a Jordan Pokler own goal helped them to a 3-2 lead at the break, with Joseph McInnes and Roberto Soares bringing the home side level twice. Soares struck again with an overhead kick to make it 3-3, before Sam Ince squeezed home the winner following a fine solo run.
DIVISION ONE RESULTS, FIXTURES & STANDINGS
Dianella, who hit the summit in midweek, would have gone back to the top with a win over Kalamunda City in their tea-time kick-off. Instead, they suffered a surprising 2-1 home loss. Andrea Erbetta got the slightest glance on Agustin Ventre’s inswinger for Kalamunda’s opener inside six minutes. Albert Luwi equalised early in the second half when a deep cross fell to his feet, only for Erbetta to latch onto a loose pass in the Dianella defence and slot it past Joel Driscoll.
Third-place Subiaco went down 2-1 at Joondalup City, who have moved up to fifth on the back of a fourth straight victory. Eddie Wilcock’s brave header put City in front on the half-hour, with Subi responding in the second half with a header of their own from Chris Harradine. Mason Gallagher’s winner on 78 minutes came from the penalty spot following a handball.
Early-season pacesetters Gwelup Croatia are six points off the top in fourth following a 3-1 defeat at Kingsley Westside. Gwelup keeper Josiah Godfrey was caught out for the opener when he came right off his line and watched Raeez Pandor’s 40-yard free-kick sail into the unguarded net. Gwelup were on terms by the interval after Nic Echeverria’s shot struck teammate Robert Ferrante and looped over Mason Stickels in the Kingsley goal. Luke Salmon headed in Pandor’s outstanding delivery to restore the hosts’ advantage 10 minutes after the restart. Then in stoppage time, with Gwelup pushing forward in search of an equaliser, Kingsley broke and substitute Elliot Tattersall kept his composure to make the points safe.
Curtin University were on the wrong end of an outlandish 7-6 result last Wednesday in their rescheduled clash against Murdoch University Melville. On Saturday, they would have been delighted with both a clean sheet and three points as they won 1-0 at Mandurah City. Ronal Onek got the only goal, firing low under Alfie Brincat to lift his team off the bottom of the table.
MUM FC also had a quieter afternoon following the midweek madness, drawing 1-1 at Inglewood United. The home side went ahead before the interval when Cam Morris’s challenge on the edge of the visitors' box saw the ball fly straight past Murdoch keeper Preston Gilling and into the net. MUM FC grabbed a point thanks to substitute Adrian Ciampini’s neat side-foot finish on 71 minutes.
DIVISION TWO
Cockburn City are still out in front in Division Two despite being held 3-3 at home by Forrestfield United. The Cockerels led 3-2 at half-time, Matt Bowen (2) and James Bourne on target for the hosts while Sherwin Tucker and Austin Reynolds scored Forrie’s goals. Tucker earned his side a draw with his second from the penalty spot.
Quinns missed the opportunity to close the five-point gap to Cockburn, drawing 2-2 at home against bottom-of-the-table Swan United. Tyler Holden and Evan Gurney netted for Quinns, either side of a Yousif Toto brace for Swan.
East Perth are now level on points with Quinns following their 2-0 evening win at Wanneroo City. James Burt and substitute Tomas Hehir scored the goals.
DIVISION TWO RESULTS, FIXTURES & STANDINGS
Carramar Shamrock Rovers stay in fourth but lost ground on the sides above them after they slipped up at home against Canning City. The match was in the balance heading into the final 13 minutes, Alfie Moore’s first-half goal for Canning matched by Cameron Hendry-Munford effort. However, the game turned when Rovers keeper Jakeb Seppings was dismissed for a second yellow card, which resulted in his side conceding a penalty. Bill Orr fired City in front from the spot, and sub Greg Burns completed the win near the end.
The result moved Canning to sixth, a point and a place behind Balga who had an excellent 4-1 win over Rockingham City. A Dylan Rogers penalty put City in front but by half-time Balga led 3-1 through Alessio Meschi, Ivwananji Simbile and Nicholas Bahr Pike. The victory was put to bed three minutes after the break when Bahr Pike scored his second.
Finally, a Josh Chalmers hat-trick steered Wembley Downs to a 4-2 success at Ashfield. Lachlan Chamberlain got Wembley’s other, as three goals in the last 20 minutes turned the game on its head. Jared Flavel and Nathan Scully had put Ashfield 2-1 up, but their third successive loss leaves them second bottom, level on points with Wembley and Rockingham.
