Report by Kelechi Osunwa

Balcatta defender Adam Tong credited coach Ramon Falzon for instilling newfound belief in the third-place side after their clinical 2-0 win over Subiaco at WA Athletics Stadium on Saturday.

“Ramon's done unbelievable things from the beginning,” he said.

“He’s gelled us and got us playing in a structure that he wants. We’re third for a reason and that’s because we play some good football.”

Balcatta initially found Subiaco goalkeeper Henry Davies hard to beat as he produced a string of significant saves to keep Subiaco within touching distance for most of the game.

But a piece of second half magic from James Sammut opened the scoring before Carlo Coelho’s cool finish put the result beyond doubt, much to Falzon's delight.

Falzon has taken a side that languished in the bottom half of the ladder last year to fighting for second place this year. He believes keeping things simple is the reason for their success.

“Football doesn’t change much,” he said.

“The difference is doing the basics right, working hard, being committed and when you get your opportunities you take them.”

Subiaco had their fair share of opportunities to equalise but Ger Fitzgerald and Jordan Rhodes both failed to test Balcatta keeper Clint Davies from great positions.

Fitzgerald’s outstretched lunge could only steer the ball wide while he was unmarked at the far post and Rhodes failed to hit the target from inside the penalty area with the goal at his mercy. Fitzgerald saw those chances as the real difference between the two sides.

“I thought we more than matched them today. I don’t think they out played us,” he said.

“They took their chances and we didn’t and that’s what separates third place and tenth place.” 

Subiaco AFC 0
Balcatta SC 2 (Sammut 63’, Coelho 88’)
Saturday August 2, 2014
Kick-off: 3pm
Venue: WA Athletics Stadium
Referee: Josh Mannella
Assistant Referees: Nico Hoyle, Hayden Frost
Crowd: Appx 100

Subiaco: 1. (gk) Henry DAVIES, 2. Nathan DIAZ, 16. George TCHAMI, 10. Guy McDONALD, 7. Ger FITZGERALD, 6. Brad McDONALD, 4. Alex RANDELL, 8. Jordan RHODES, 11. Matt AKEHURST (15. Jack RYCROFT 68’), 14. Josh BOOYSEN, 17. Rory FEELY (9. Ian McMURRAY 76’)
Substitutes not used: 21. Sam STONE, 3. Owen COATES, 12. Dave TIMMONS,
Yellow cards: Randell 90’
Red cards: nil

Balcatta: 1. (gk) Clint DAVIES, 3. Kieron STALLARD, 5. Adam TONG, 6. Luke RANDAZZO, 7. James SAMMUT, 8. David CYRUS, 9. Carlo COELHO, 10. Kris GATE (13. Patrick SARA 87’), 14. Benny KOUAKOU (19. Laurence SHURAMA 71’), 16. Alex CANIGLIA (20. Amir AJAN 89’), 17. Kieran COLWELL
Substitutes not used: 21. Damien STANOESVSKI, 22. Alex SULIESKI,
Yellow cards: Cyrus 49’
Red cards: nil