Report by Josh Chiat

Photos: Vince Caratozzolo

Subiaco put on a great defensive performance in a surprise 1-0 win over Balcatta at Rosalie Park in their PS4 National Premier Leagues WA match.

Balcatta would have been confident going into the game following a 6-0 win over Stirling Lions, but Subiaco’s defence, particularly George Tchami, were strong enough to keep them at bay.

Joshua Booysen’s penalty in the 65^th minute, the second Subiaco received during the game, provided the game's only goal as the hosts moved five points clear of their closest rivals.

Balcatta coach Ramon Falzon rued his team's inability to break down their opponents.

“We've probably had about 70 percent possession, but in the attacking third we weren't effective. We simply didn't get the right movement to penetrate,” he said.

“When you miss those chances to go in front it hurts, especially against a team like Subi where they park the bus.”

Balcatta had the best of the early play. The first meaningful chance of the game fell to the away side's Steve Sokol, who smashed his volley against the crossbar.

Subiaco, however, had the best chance of the first half when Kieron Stallard climbed on Ger Fitzgerald from a long throw to draw a penalty in the 37^th minute.

But Balcatta was spared when goalkeeper Clint Davies comfortably saved Danny Milne's poor spot-kick.

In the second half Balcatta again came out quickest, with Patrick Quinn's low shot drawing a sharp save from Subiaco stopper Ryan Montgomery.

After that, however, Balcatta struggled to break down a packed Subiaco defence.

The game's decisive moment came from a rare spell of Subiaco possession, when Booysen outpaced Zelfy Nazary before the Balcatta midfielder unnecessarily felled him in the box.

Unlike Milne, Booysen made no mistake from the resultant penalty, handing his team the three points.

“To win it was good, and to put it (the goal) away was even better”, said the Subiaco goal-scorer after the match. 

“I don't think a team in the competition likes playing us. I think we've had reports about that, because we're such a hard, grinding team.”

Subiaco AFC 1 (Booysen 65mins)
Balcatta 0
Saturday, July 4, 2015
Rosalie Park
Kick-off: 3:00pm
Referee: Ammar Timour
Assistant referees: David Pohlenz, Alex Novatsis 

Subiaco: 1. Ryan MONTGOMERY, 2. Nathan DIAZ (c), 3. Ger FITZGERALD, 4. Jackson DONGRAY (7. Gojam NYUON 58) 5. Mitch STEINBERG, 6. Daniel MILNE (9. Ian McMURRAY 79), 8. Kevin WHITE, 10. Rory FEELY (15. Ross JARMAN 81), 11. Joshua BOOYSEN, 13. George TCHAMI,  16. Siyang ZHANG
Substitutes not used: 21. Anastasis FARSALAS, 17. Dylan ANDREWS
Yellow cards: Dongray 30, Feely 74
Red cards: nil

Balcatta: 1. Clint DAVIES, 2. Hanafi GHEZALI, 3. Kieron STALLARD, 4. Alexsander SULESKI, 6. Zelfy NAZARY (Ross DIAMOND 69), 7. James SAMMUT (c), 11. Gustavo CATARCIONE, 14. Steve SOKOL (9. Hasan EL YASIRI 66), 17. Kieran COLWELL, 20. Patrick QUINN, 50. Blamo QUAQUA (16. Cameron TEECE 78)
Substitutes not used: 21. Daniel PASSARELLI, 23. Marc ZAGAMI
Yellow cards: Stallard 36, Davies 85, Ghezali 89
Red cards: nil