Report by Ghaz Ramli

Balcatta coach Ramon Falzon was pleased to record a second win from two games, but was disappointed with his team’s second half performance after a 2-1 victory over Subiaco.

After last week’s dramatic finish against Stirling, Balcatta went two up early through Patrick Quinn and Gustavo Catarcione, but could not add to that advantage.

Ian McMurray’s 76th minute goal was not enough for Subiaco to launch a fight-back and Falzon was relieved to have secured the three points.

“In the second half they (Subiaco) were more aggressive and we had to play on the counter attack,” he said.

“But I focus on the cohesion of the team. The team looks good when they play together and make good decisions. We stuck to our structure and moved the ball around.”

The hosts got to work immediately and took the lead in the second minute, when Patrick Quinn lobbed the ball over Subiaco goalkeeper Ryan Montgomery.

Both sides came close to getting on the scoresheet after the goal; the closest effort saw Montgomery tip over Shaz Ramlee’s dipping shot in the 25th minute.

But he could not stop Gustavo Catarcione’s shot two minutes later to give the home side 2-0 lead.

After the break, Subiaco managed to hold their ground and pulled one back when McMurray slammed in a rebound 14 minutes from time.

Balcatta could have extended their lead late on, when Kieran Colwall was brought down in the box, but Montgomery saved well from Catarcione’s spot-kick.

Subiaco Manager Gerry McEwan said he was encouraged by his team’s performance, despite the result.

“It is tough to start the season against two big teams. We came here with a plan but the early goal caught us,” he said.

“I thought we were unlucky today. We came close to closing the gap on a few occasions, but were unable to finish.”

Balcatta 2 (Quinn 2min, Catarcione 27’)
Subiaco 1 (McMurray 76min)
Saturday, April 4, 2015
Grindleford Reserve
Kick-off: 3:00pm

Balcatta: 1. Clint DAVIES, 3. Kieren STALLARD, 7. James SAMMUT, 8. David CYRUS, 11. Alex CANIGLIA, 13. Shazalee RAMLEE, 14. Blamo QUAQUA, 16. Dejan, ANDRIC, 17. Kieren COLWELL, 9. Gustavo CATARCIONE, 20. Patrick QUINN, (21. Daniel PASSARELLI)
Yellow cards: NIL

Subiaco AFC: 1. Ryan MONTGOMERY, 2 Nathan DIAZ (c), 4 Jackson DONGRAY, 5 Mitch STEINBERG, 6 Danny MILNE, 7 Gojam NYUON, 8 Kevin WHITE (14 James OLIVER 80’), 9 Ian MCMURRAY, 10 Matt AKEHURST, 11 Josh BOOYSEN (15 Ger FITZGERALD 56’),, 16 Jackson DARNELL
Yellow Cards: Nil