Report by Aisling Lawless

Bayswater’s 2-1 win over Balcatta at Grindleford Reserve on Saturday was a much-needed win according to coach Chris Coyne.

While the home side went into the break with a spring in their step thanks to a Lucas Mello goal, the visitors fought back and secured the win with two second half headers from Luka Ninkovic.

Coyne said they aren’t concerned about their PS4 NPLWA table position as they have a game in hand, but acknowledged they have had a tough start to the season.

“We fought back today, no one is ever going to question our endeavour, but I’d just like to see a bit more quality and a bit better decision making at times.

“It’s something we’ve got to look at but it’s not something we can fix overnight.”

After a fiery start from both teams Bayswater almost opened the scoring in the seventh minute when Sam Mitchinson sent Ninkovic’s ball across goal over the crossbar.

Bayswater controlled the midfield but Balcatta were unlucky not to score in the 45th minute when Declan Hargreaves’ goal line clearance denied substitute Ismael Bangura after he skipped past the keeper.

But Mello capitalised from a scramble in the penalty area two minutes later to put the home side in front going into the break.

Bayswater’s hard work finally paid off in the 61st minute when David Heagney’s pin-point cross set up Ninkovic to head home.

The visitors should have gone ahead in the 66th minute but Jack Allen skyed Bor Bor Sam’s ball across goal.

Balcatta weren’t without their chances as immediately after Mello hit the post following a quick counter down the left wing from Feisal Zaw.

Kurt Kouakou also had a perfect opportunity to score for the home side in the 80th minute, but his one on one effort with keeper Devon Spence flew past the left post.

Three minutes later Ninkovic sealed the game for Bayswater with another solid header from Paul McCarthy’s right wing cross.

Balcatta coach Salv Todaro had a positive outlook despite the result.

“We asked the boys for a reaction after last week and they gave it today,” he said

“You just have to look at the opportunities we created, if we had taken a couple of them, it would have been a different story.

“We had a number of one-on-ones and we should have made them pay.

“But we have a very young team, they are all learning and it’s hard when you are learning on the big stage, but they are doing well and we are very pleased with them.”

Balcatta 1 (Mello 45+1min)
Bayswater City 2 (Ninkovic 61min, 83)
Saturday, April 1, 2017
Grindleford Reserve
Kick-off: 3:00pm
Referee: Josh Manella    
Assistant Referees: Shuo Chen, Stuart Blacker
 
Balcatta: 1. Domenico SAVOLDELLI, 3. Justin ONEK, 4. Callum O’CONNELL, 6. Jonathan CORNESS, 8. Patrick SARA (12. Kurt KOUAKOU 56), 9. Lucas MELLO, 10. Dino TOPCAGIC (23. Ismael BANGURA 29), 11. Feisal ZAW, 13. Daniel Hepworth (14. Emmanuel MANSARAY 78), 16. Kieron STALLARD, 20. Paddy QUINN (C)
Substitutes not used: 18. Ben MEREDITH, 19. Jaedon EWEN
Yellow Cards: Sara 6min, Bangura 42, Stallard 70, Onek 72, Hepworth 77
Red Cards: nil
 
Bayswater City: GK. Devon SPENCE, 2. Declan HARGREAVES (3. Jack ALLEN 46), 10. Jason MICRO (8. Paul McCARTHY 56), 11. Devon GIBSON, 12. David STOKOE, 13. Trent KAY (C), 16. Brent GRIFFITHS, 17. Bor Bor SAM, 19. Luka NINKOVIC, 20. Sam MITCHINSON, 23. Andrija JUKIC (21. David HEAGNEY 56)
Substitutes not used: 9. Gustavo Giron MARULANDA, 25. Michael COHEN (RGK).
Yellow Cards: Griffiths 62min, Heagney 87
Red Cards: nil