Report by Peter Simcox

Floreat Athena moved back into the winners circle in the National Premier Leagues WA after a resounding 4-1 win against Perth Glory at E&D Litis Stadium last night.

The original game was called off on Saturday due to a waterlogged pitch but the rain last night did not stop Lewis McMahon, who scored two and had a hand in the other two from Ludovic Boi and Jack Allen.

Pictured: Floreat skipper Ludovic Boi and Glory skipper Blamo Qua Qua with the match officials before the game. Photo: Peter Simcox

Former Sheffield Wednesday and Notts County midfielder McMahon was outstanding and he said the weather suited him.

“I love playing in those conditions, well it rains all the time in the UK,” he joked.

Some of the lead up play from Athena on the night was excellent and McMahon thought they could have added a couple more but he knows the three points were deserved.

“The points are what it’s all about,” he said.

“We played some good football in the first half and I thought we could have scored five or six. We dropped off a bit in the second half, but we do have a short break before Saturday’s game at Armadale, but we head their full of confidence.” 

Floreat Coach Glen Grostate could not have asked anymore of his players but he was a little frustrated they conceded Joe Knowles goal late in the first half.

“The players did everything I asked of them tonight,” he said.

“I was slightly disappointed we conceded the late goal but that’s about it. We played some good football in around the box and took our chances well.

“We knew we couldn’t let the Glory play their game, they are a very skilful side and have been taught the right way to play the game. But we went out and played our game and I’m delighted.”  

The home side were out of the blocks early and McMahon fired wide after only eight minutes, before Aryn Williams’ shot from the edge of the penalty area was saved low by Ryan Barker.

Glory, that drew 1-1 at Armadale in the last round to break a ten game losing streak, went close on the quarter hour. Joe Knowles and Harry O’Brien sending Gian Albano in on goal but his shot was straight at Floreat keeper Tom Dixon.

But on 22 minutes the home side hit the front. Ashley Corker fed Ludovic Boi on the left, whose cross picked out McMahon, who swivelled in the penalty area and fired past Barker.

It was 2-0 two minutes later with the goal of the game. Boi was given space on the edge of the penalty area and his stunning shot from 20m flew into the top corner.

The Glory looked to hit back immediately and as the heavens opened, Dixon had to be alert to save well from skipper Blamo Qua Qua.

Floreat were then gifted a third goal on 34 minutes. A slip at the back from David Stokoe let in Boi, who cut the ball back to McMahon, who made no mistake from 6m. 

It looked to be a long night for the visitors when Floreat added a fourth on 39 minutes. McMahon wriggled his way into the area and poked the ball towards goal, it was partially cleared off the line by Rocco Pizzata but Allen fired home the rebound from close-range.

To the Glory’s credit they pulled one back two minutes before half time.  Bor Sambindi had only been on the pitch for three minutes when he burst clear down the right, his powerful shot was well saved by Dixon but the rebound fell to Knowles who fired home from 5m. 

After the break the game lost its momentum but eight minutes in, a strong tackle from Knowles on Callum Fransz caused tempers to fray and referee Matt Southern had his hands full with a melee in the aftermath, and he had to show four yellow cards.

Back to the football and Dixon tipped over Harry O’Brien’s shot on the hour before Barker saved well from Allen’s bullet-like shot moments later.

The Glory should have pulled another one back on 76 minutes. Dixon could only parry O’Brien’s curling free kick and with the goal at his mercy Knowles fired over from close-range.

At the end of the match Grostate said he has nothing but praise for his players who have put a smile back on the Floreat faithful.

“The players have been fantastic since I took over and they are a great bunch of lads on and off the park and they have given the whole club a lift,” he said.

“I’m also delighted that Ludo (Boi), Jack (Allen) and Bobby (Wilson) have been selected in the WA State Team to play against Perth Glory next month.”

Floreat Athena 4 (McMahon 22’, 34’, Boi 24’, Allen 39’)
Perth Glory 1 (Knowles 44’)
Wednesday 30th July 2014
E&D Litis Stadium, Mount Hawthorn
Attendance: 200
Referee: Matt Southern
Assistants: Rory Jackson and Arvin Shan

Floreat Athena: GK Tom DIXON, 3 Jack ALLEN, 8 Kye DOUGLAS, 9 Jamie EAMES, 10 Aryn WILLIAMS, 14 Ludovic BOI, 15 Andrew SCALDAFERRO, 16 Ashley CORKER (4 Cameron YORKE 68’), 17 Callum FRANSZ, 20 Lewis MCMAHON (12 Nick PSANOUDAKIS 80’), 33 Mark WALSH
Subs not used: RGK Yousri GHARASALLAH, 6 Steven VENERIS, 13 Matthew FRANKLEN
Yellow Cards: Fransz 53’, Corker 53’

Perth Glory: GK Ryan BARKER, 2 Josh TUCKER, 3 David STOKOE, 4 Rocco PIZZATA, 5 Hanafi GHAZALI (18 Jack OLDHAM 40’), 6 Blamo QUA QUA, 7 Gian ALBANO (14 Bor Bor SAMBINDI 40’), 8 Jacob COLLARD, 9 Joe KNOWLES, 10 Slobodan VULIN (19 Nik TALIMDZIOSKI 71’), 11 Harry O’BRIEN
Subs not used: RGK Luke RADONICH, 17 Matt NTOUMONOPOULOS
Yellow Cards: Knowles 53’, Collard 53’