Report by Kelechi Osunwa

Armadale coach Lee Bamber pointed to a gulf in quality in his side’s 2-0 loss against Bayswater City in last night’s end-to-end National Premier Leagues fixture at Alfred Skeet Reserve.

The Reds more than matched the league leaders in the first half and seemingly left Bayswater frustrated at close offside rulings. But two moments of brilliance by David Heagney and former Perth Glory midfielder Todd Howarth proved to be the difference as Bayswater returned to winning ways.

Pictured: Bayswater City celebrate a goal. Photo: Vince Caratozzolo.

Despite the result, Bamber took many positives out of his young team’s performance against a side who could afford to have the likes Gustavo Giron Marulanda and Adrian Caceres on the bench.

“I can’t fault the commitment of the players,” Bamber said.

“Our work rate, our endeavour...we are competing all over the park against a quality side. It’s just that little lack of quality in the final third that’s letting us down at this moment in time.”

After being largely limited to half-chances in the first stanza, Bayswater powered through to take the lead inside 10 minutes of the second half with Heagney’s expert finish across an outstretched Mathew Gould.

Armadale reacted positively to the setback and created two gilt-edged chances only to be denied by a dominant Devon Spence.

The goalkeeper rushed off his line quickly to stop Faustinho Machochi who had the goal at his mercy before pulling off a stellar save to deny Sam Loveless from 25 meters.

Armadale were left to rue those chances minutes later when Howarth rose highest to head home from a corner to put the game beyond doubt.

Bayswater assistant coach Stewart Moses was happy with his side’s composure and the depth of his squad after playing their third game in a week.

“A win’s a win and it’s a hard place coming to Armadale, and tonight we’re just happy to get the three points,” Moses said.

“I thought the boys controlled the game well and I thought we executed our goals well. (We) just  said to be calm and keep moving the ball and it opened up for us with the two goals.

“We’ve got a rotation system at the moment with the players and when they do step in they do a job for us.”

The win keeps Bayswater seven points clear of rivals Perth SC while the loss for Armadale puts further importance on next week’s match against Subiaco in what Bamber has already called a cup final of psychological importance.

Armadale 0
Bayswater City 2 (Heagney 53’, Howarth 79’)
Saturday June 7, 2014
Venue: Alfred Skeet Reserve
Kick-off: 3pm
Referee: Josh Mannella
Assistant Referee: Alex Novatsis, Stuart Blacker
Crowd Appx: 150

Armadale: 20. Mathew GOULD (gk), 12. Alec SOLOMONS, 4. Billy QUINNCROFT, 5. Nathan COSTELLO, 2. Jackson BEALEY (9. Raveshian KUPPUSAMY 79’)  6. Jason BARRERA (Daniel RICHMAN 70’), 17. Alex CLARKE (10. James ATKINS 64’), 7. Faustinho MACHOCHI, 14. Mitch CASTRILLI, 16. Mwansaa MUSONDA, 13. Sam LOVELESS

Substitutes not used: Luke BUGONI, 1. Jordan HOWELL
Yellow Cards: NIL
Red Cards: NIL

Bayswater City: 1. Devon SPENCE, 20. Sam MITCHINSON, 3. Adam BACHILLER, 5. Andy REALE, 6. Todd HOWARTH, 23 Chris SALDARIS, 12. Steve BURTON (17. Sahr MUSA 87’), 16. Jamie COYNE, 21. David HEAGNEY (9. Gustavo GIRON MARALUNDA 82’) 2. Declan HARGREAVES, 15. Brian FARRELL (11. Adrian CACERES 77’)

Substitutes not used: 22. Joel DRISCOLL, 7. Hassan EL YASSIRI
Yellow Cards: NIL
Red Cards: NIL