Report Ghaz Ramli

Pictured: Tommy Amphlett. Photo: Ghaz Ramli

Tommy Amphlett scored twice as ECU Joondalup drew 2-2 with Balcatta to bag a first point of their PS4 National Premier Leagues campaign.

The 27-year-old opened the scoring to give the hosts a half time lead, but the visitors equalised a minute into the second half as Alex Caniglia headed home Patrick Quinn’s cross.

It looked as if Balcatta would take all three points as Shazalee Ramlee curled past Jamie Serra with seven minutes to play.

But three minutes later, Amphlett completed his brace to earn a share of the spoils, and the former Perth Glory player was hopeful his team could build on the result.

“It’s not easy to play three big matches at the beginning of the season, but we are glad we have a point now and can build from here,” he said.

“It was a good game and we will take the result.”

As for Balcatta, coach Ramon Falzon praised the efforts of ECU and Ramlee, who nearly gave the visitors all three points.

“ECU played well today. We had a poor first half but improved immediately after the break with an early goal,” he said.

“Shaz (Ramlee) is one of those players who is quiet most of the time, but is be able to pull the trigger when it is needed.

“He was close in the first game of the season, but this time he was on target.

The draw means Balcatta are now level at the top with Bayswater and Perth on seven points, while ECU remains in 10th place despite their first point.

Falzon’s team will next play Inglewood United at Inglewood Stadium, while ECU travel to Percy Doyle Reserve to play Sorrento FC.

ECU Joondalup 2 (Amphlett 28mins, 86’)
Balcatta 2 (Caniglia 47’, Ramlee 83’) 
Saturday, April 11, 2015
ECU Joondalup Football Stadium
Kick-off: 3:00pm

ECU Joondalup: 1. Jamie SERRA, 2. Ryan LOWRY, 4. Charlie COMYN-PLATT (C), 5. Carl RODGERS, 6. Joe SMITH (Stuart MONTGOMERY 85’), 9. Guy MCDONALD, 10. Andy HIGGINS, 11. Rowdy YATES, 13. Tommy AMPHLETT, 14. Danny DIXON, 16.Jon STYNES.

Balcatta: 1. Clint DAVIES, 3. Kieren STALLARD, 5 Adam TONG (C), 7. James SAMMUT, 8. David CYRUS, 10. Gustavo CATARCIONE (Dejan, ANDRIC 84’), 11. Alex CANIGLIA, 14. Blamo QUAQUA, 17. Hanafi GHEZALI, 18. Shazalee RAMLEE, 20 Patrick QUINN (Luke Randazzo 90’).