Report by Peter Simcox

Bayswater City continued their perfect start to the National Premier Leagues WA with a 3-1 win against Floreat Athena at E&D Litis Stadium.

Former Floreat striker David Heagney returned to his former club, scoring one and having a hand in another, as they moved further away from the chasing pack on the table. 

Pictured: David Heagney celebrates his goal against Floreat. Photo: Vince Caratozzolo.

English striker Heagney was happy to get on the scoresheet after he was lambasted by the Floreat supporters.

“I thought from start to finish we were the better team, and I think we got what we deserved today,” he said.

“It’s always nice to score against your former club, the fans were giving me some abuse , so when I did score it was nice to rub it in their face, but the most important thing is the team performance and I think we got that today.”

Sahr Musa had given the visitors the lead on 37 minutes, before Heagney doubled their advantage in first-half stoppage time. Floreat striker Jamie Eames pulled a goal back 10 minutes into the second half, but an own goal from Floreat defender Blair Govan, from a Heagney header wrapped up the points, leaving coach Chris Coyne delighted with his side’s performance.

“I was really pleased with the lads today, we have had a little dip in recent weeks but today we were back to our best,” he said.

“It’s nice both my strikers scored today. I’m pleased for David (Heagney), who copped a bit of stick for leaving Floreat, but that’s football.

“Sahr (Musa) is a great talent and he is still learning his trade in senior football after coming out of the NTC program, so for both to get on the scoresheet is really pleasing.”

The visitors dictated terms early; Declan Hargreaves’ shot was deflected wide and on 35 minutes Heagney shot over from 10 metres after good work Andy Reale.

But in the 37th minute their dominance was rewarded with the opening goal. A long ball from Todd Howarth sent Musa racing clear, and with the Floreat defenders looking for the offside flag that never came, the young striker rounded Athena goalkeeper Tom Dixon and fired home.

Then on the stroke of half time they doubled their advantage in similar circumstances. This time Brian Farrell’s ball over the top caught Floreat napping and Heagney raced through, finished low past Dixon and let the Floreat supporters know all about it.

After the break Floreat lifted their tempo, and eight minutes in they should have pulled one back. Great work on the left by Eames ended with a ball into the penalty area. John Thornley controlled the ball in the goal area but with the back of the net at his mercy, he fired straight at Devon Spence.

But on 55 minutes they did pull one back. Ludo Boi slipped the ball through to Eames, who raced clear and finished with aplomb past Spence.

The vital third goal came on 70 minutes. Howarth’s corner found Heagney at the back post, his header was bundled over the line by the unfortunate Govan.

It was a good result for the league leaders and there was better news late in the game, when Colombian striker Gustavo Giron Marulanda made his first appearance of the season after ankle surgery, replacing Heagney.

The win moves them 10 points clear at the top of the table.

Floreat Athena 1 (Eames 55’)
Bayswater City 3 (Musa 37’, Heagney 45+1’, OG 70’)
Saturday 24th May 2014
Venue – E&D Litis Stadium
Attendance – 300 (Approx)
Referee – Josh Mannella
Assistants – Taz Pavaskevas and Daniel Cole

Floreat Athena – GK Tom DIXON, 2 Blair GOVAN (11 Ryan PRETORIUS 81’), 3 Jack ALLEN, 8 Bobby WILSON,  9 Jamie EAMES, 10 Aryn WILLIAMS, 13 Cameron YORKE, 14 Ludovic BOI, 17 Callum FRANSZ,  12 John THORNLEY, 33 Mark WALSH

Subs not used – RGK Michael WOOLCOTT, 4 Gary HILL, 15 Andrew SCALDAFERRO, 16 Chris RIZIDIS 
Yellow Cards – Boi 67’

Bayswater City – GK Devon SPENCE, 2 Declan HARGREAVES (3 Adam BACHILLER 81’), 5 Andy REALE, 6 Todd HOWARTH, 13 Trent KAY, 15 Brian FARRELL, 16 Jamie COYNE, 17 Sahr MUSA (11 Adrian CACERES 67’), 20 Sam MITCHINSON, 21 David HEAGNEY (9 Gustavo GIRON MARULANDA 87’), 23 Chris SALDARIS

Subs not used – RGK Joel DRISCOLL, 7 Hassan EL YASSIRI
Yellow Cards - Nil