Report by Colin Outhwaite

Bayswater City were given a run for their money before beating 10-man Cockburn City 4-2 in a National Premier Leagues WA encounter at Dalmatinac Park yesterday.

The league leaders were on the back foot when Liam Murray’s strike on the turn put Cockburn in front after just three minutes.

But two goals each from Adrian Caceras and David Heagney maintained Bayswater’s unbeaten streak  despite Ryan Haslett’s late consolation.

The match turned on a moment of controversy in the 30th minute when Cockburn centre-back Alan Carrol was shown a red card and Caceres drew Bayswater level with the resulting penalty.

Cockburn coach Marc Anthony was frustrated with the turn of events because he felt Todd Howarth had been offside just prior to the incident.

“The penalty was a terrible decision by the linesman and the referee... it’s very disappointing,” Anthony said.

He found it hard to console his players, who he felt had been the better team.

“I’m extremely happy with their performance against a team of their calibre,” he said. “(But) 3-1 down with 10 men at half-time, the game was pretty much dead.”

Carrol was sent off when he fouled Howarth, who still managed to shoot, baffling Cockburn players.

Caceras, who was described by Bayswater coach Chris Coyne as his side’s only “shining light” in the first half, coolly converted the penalty and got his second in the 44th minute with a cracking strike from the edge of the area.

Heagney scored just before half-time making Cockburn’s second-half prospects look grim. But the visitors managed just one more goal - a brilliantly composed strike by the in-form Heagney in the 57th minute.

He was prevented from getting his second hat-trick in a row by goalkeeper Dejan Aleksic’s diving fingertip save 10 minutes later.

Bayswater’s Devon Spence was also busy in the second half and pulled off some great saves, including a double which left Murray and Devon Gibson mystified.

The Cockerels finally got a consolation goal in the 85th minute with a superb solo effort from substitute Haslett, who stole the ball on the left, beat a defender and fired home.

Coyne was unhappy with the way his team started, claiming it was the worst he had seen them play in the last 18 months.

“Sometimes when you’re in a run of results you think you can just turn up and win games,” he said.

“Football’s not like that, you’ve got to earn the right to win, especially against a good Cockburn team.”

Cockburn now have to back up their efforts with another catch up game against Armadale on Wednesday.

Cockburn City 2 (Liam MURRAY 3’, Ryan HASLETT 85’).
Bayswater City 4 (Adrian CACERAS 32’ 44’, David HEAGNEY 45’ 57’).
Saturday May 3, 2014
Venue: Dalmatinac Park.
Attendance: 200 (Approx).
Referee: Trent FLESKENS.
Assistant: Nico HOYLE, Callum BIRCH.

Cockburn City: 23. Dejan ALEKSIC (GK), 4. Euan GRANT, 5. Alan CARROLL, (7. Ryan HASLETT) 8. David ARRAYA, 9. Eamon MCNELIS, 11. Devon GIBSON, 12. Feisal ZAW (6. Papa KPTAR 46’), 17. Paul NATALE (13. Blake ADAMS 46’), 18. Liam MURRAY, 20. Ross DIAMOND (16. Julian TELES 46’)
Subs not used:  1. Struan HERD, 19. Jonty TURNER.
Yellow cards: 20. Ross DIAMOND 27’.
Red cards: 5. Alan CARROLL 30’.

Bayswater City: 1. Devon SPENCE, 2. Declan HARGREAVES, 6. Todd HOWARTH (14. David MOLINAM 65’), 11. Adrian CACERAS (5. Andy REALE 76’), 13. Trent KAY (c), 15. Brian FARRELL 16. Jamie COYNE, 17. Chris SALDARIS, 18. James ISAIA, 20. Sam MITCHINSON, 21. David HEAGNEY (10. Damien CATALANO 73’
Substitutes not used: 12. Steve BURTON, 22. Joel DRISCOLL.
Yellow cards: 20. Sam MITCHINSON 43’, 17. Chris SALDARIS 75’.
Red cards: Nil.