Hamish Van Dieken scored both goals as Mandurah City maintained their fantastic form to stay top of Men’s State League Division One with a 2-1 win over Subiaco.
After 16 rounds, John Baird’s side remain one point clear of Western Knights following a sixth successive win. They had to come from behind at Rosalie Park, however, after Oscar Barry stood up a cross which was headed in by Matthew Allen on 21 minutes.
The leaders had a swift response and were back on terms two minutes later. Joe O’Brien’s shot was saved by Conor Hogan, but Van Dieken was on hand to put in the follow-up.
And it was Van Dieken who scored the winner five minutes into the second half with a half-volleyed finish via the underside of the bar from Robbie Galvin’s cross.
Hogan made a great late double save to ensure the scoreline stayed 2-1, but Subi stay in the relegation play-off place on a weekend when none of the bottom four sides won.
Western Knights also won to keep pace with Mandurah at the summit and on current form, the destiny of the title could come down to whoever wins when the top two meet in the penultimate round on 19 August.
Like their rivals, Knights had to come from a goal down as they beat Gosnells City 3-1 at Nash Field.
In-form Gosnells attacker Brice Rae poked home the opener on eight minutes to net for a third straight match, but the hosts levelled just before the half-hour when Albert Luwi slid in at the back post.
A close-range finish from Denzel Tshuma and Fionn O’Tighearnaigh's flicked header ensured Knights were 3-1 up before the interval as Adam Kostrencic’s team did the business in the first half.
Gosnells stay five points clear of safety despite a first loss in four games, while Knights open an eight-point gap to third place Joondalup United who put five past UWA Nedlands.
Nick Jennings’ side have won three in a row to become promotion contenders, with four second-half goals ensuring they sit four points clear of fifth.
Like the top two, they had to come from behind as Daniel Iuliano’s corner broke for Jacob Tuner to score inside three minutes. But it was all square at the break when Andrew Flint’s cross went over goalkeeper Brendon Rintoul and in.
Flint’s back-post volley from Ben Campbell’s pinpoint cross made it 2-1 early in the second period, and with UWA pushing forward the visitors rattled in three goals in the final five minutes.
Elliot Tattersall’s low drive went through Rintoul before Joel Sollitt rifled in high at the near post from Sam McKearnan’s pass. Substitute Adam Buckley then nodded in after Sollitt and Ben Johns combined as Joondalup’s play-off push continued. UWA stay ninth.
Dianella White Eagles complete the top four after returning to winning ways at mid-table Rockingham City.
Ruben Joseph’s penalty kick squeezed past White Eagles keeper Peter Pilkadaris after 14 minutes, but Angel Andres Rivera blazed in a 12th goal of the season to tie it up for Dianella moments later.
Igor Cvijanovic’s sweet left-footed hit put the visitors in front midway through the first half and they had a two-goal cushion at the break thanks to Darko Ristoski’s finish from a tight angle.
Josh Mackinder bundled in with a quarter of an hour left, but no equaliser was forthcoming as Rockingham’s sit eighth with their top four hopes taking a hit.
Dianella leapfrogged Fremantle City who dropped out of the top four for the first time this season following a 3-1 home loss to Gwelup Croatia.
Tyron Pottier fired in a loose ball from a corner to give Gwelup a third-minute lead, and they had a second in first-half added time when Raeez Pandor squared to give John Lahai an easy finish.
Alex McLean’s long-range volley gave Freo a lifeline after the restart, but they were consigned to a third loss on the spin inside the final nine minutes.
Substitute Ryan Johnson arrived late on the scene to seal the result with Gwelup now six points off the inter-divisional play-offs as they chase an instant return to the NPL.
Murdoch University Melville’s 3-0 win over bottom side Forrestfield United also gave them a fighting chance of reaching fourth as Taki Nicolaidis’ team made it back-to-back wins.
After a goalless first 45, MUM FC broke clear with two quick strikes in the second period. Declan Tanna got the first after Feisal Zaw did well to keep a loose ball alive, before Christos Vaenas threaded through for Jack Steele to round the goalkeeper and score.
Taj Bingwa backed up last week’s hat-trick with a late third to condemn Forrestfield to yet another defeat, while MUM FC go sixth and six points from the top four.
Division One results
Fremantle City 1-3 Gwelup Croatia
Murdoch University Melville 3-0 Forrestfield United
Rockingham City 2-3 Dianella White Eagles
Subiaco 1-2 Mandurah City
UWA Nedlands 1-5 Joondalup United
Western Knights 3-1 Gosnells City
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Two late goals helped Kingsley Westside win 3-1 over Curtin University to remain in pole position for the Division Two title and automatic promotion.
Janno Saks had Curtin up inside a minute in Saturday’s top-of-the-table clash at Chichester Park, but Adam O’Neill levelled before the break.
O’Neill would put Steve Dimitrovich’s team ahead with a minute left before Luke Salmon sealed victory from the penalty spot after Chris Sutton was sent off.
Kingsley are five points clear and have a game in hand on Morley Windmills, who returned to second place following a 3-2 win over Quinns FC.
Kevin Ashwood’s early goal was cancelled out by Danny O’Shea, but Callum Speed and Cedric Mezieres put Windmills back in control with goals either side of half-time.
Liam Hunt’s red card didn’t deter the visitors who pulled one back through Harry Edwards, but they failed to find a leveller and so stay in the relegation play-off place.
Maddington-Kalamunda White City occupy the fourth and final play-off spot and sit level on points with Curtin after winning 2-1 at Canning City.
Jose Zuniga and Samuel Del Aguila struck for the visitors in the first half, with Rowan Steed getting one back 15 minutes from time. Canning are five points off safety with six games remaining, while Maddington are a point clear of Swan United who went fifth following a 4-2 over Balga.
Ashfield and Joondalup City boosted their hopes of survival with important away wins over Carramar Shamrock Rovers and Wanneroo City, respectively.
Alan Reidy’s penalty gave Rovers the lead at Grandis Park, but Gareth Hamilton scored for a fourth straight game the Dean Kezurer bagged a winner for Ashfield.
Joondalup City jumped to ninth and three points behind the Roos after a 5-3 win. Simon Burt, Jason Petrie and Tim Higgins all netted to give City a 3-0 buffer, with Cameron Stratton and substitute Luigi Lancaster adding goals for Ryan Cantello's side. Wanneroo’s consolation goals were scored by Ben Wantee and Cosimo Figliomeni.
Division Two results
Canning City 1-2 Maddington-Kalamunda White City
Carramar Shamrock Rovers 1-2 Ashfield
Kingsley Westside 3-1 Curtin University
Quinns 2-3 Morley Windmills
Swan United 4-2 Balga
Wanneroo City 2-5 Joondalup City