Football West News

Perth Glory stumbled with the finishing line in sight on Saturday to send the NPL WA title race to the final weekend.

John Gibson’s side looked to have weathered a Cockburn fightback and clung on for the win which would have secured the championship at Ashfield Arena.

But a header from Julian Teles two minutes into stoppage time earned the top-four chasing Cockerels a 3-3 draw and ensured Perth SC still have a chance of pinching the title.

"Cockburn were desperate and we lost our way a bit, probably got a little excited and for the first time we probably showed a little bit of immaturity," Gibson said after watching his side give up a 3-1 lead.

A double from Michael Domfeh and a goal for Callum Timmins seemed to have calmed any Glory nerves after they had fallen behind to Jesse Lazzaro’s opener.

But Harry O’Brien’s goal 12 minutes from time set up a grandstand finish in which Glory skipper Ollie Annis was sent off for a handball, resulting in a Cockburn penalty. Yet keeper Nicholas Speca saved Daniel Robinson’s spot-kick and Glory must have thought it was their day.

But Cockburn simply went again and when Teles rose highest to head in the equaliser, the NPL WA trophy was put back in the car boot and all attention turned to the final weekend.

The destination of the title is still firmly in Glory’s hands. They are two points and 14 goals better off on goal difference than Perth SC. They have also scored more goals than the Azzurri, so a point away at relegation-threatened Subiaco will surely be enough.

Perth SC face bottom of the table Joondalup United on Saturday knowing they have to win. But even allowing for United’s abject season – they have now conceded exactly 100 goals - it is unfeasible to think Perth can more than double the seven Inglewood put past Nick Jennings’ side on the weekend, so they are relying on Subiaco to defeat Glory.

The Azzurri at least held up their side of the bargain at Dorrien Gardens with a 2-1 win over ECU Joondalup.

Coach Ramon Falzon said: “I was really pleased with the performance all over the pitch and we had to absorb their late pressure, so it goes down to the wire next week, like it did last season, and we will see how we go.”

Inglewood’s 7-1 blitzing of Joondalup means a win at Balcatta in their final match will guarantee them a top-four finish, while Bayswater, who beat Forrestfield 2-1 on Saturday, can do likewise if they see off ECU.

The tussle at the bottom is also undecided. Forrestfield must do better than Subiaco in their respective Round 26 matches otherwise they are down automatically. Forrestfield take on Stirling while Subiaco play Glory in a match with massive consequences at both ends of the table.

Stirling ensured they will be playing NPL football next season with a 3-1 win over Balcatta, who still need a point to be mathematically certain of survival.

One team who possibly wish the season was just starting are Floreat Athena. Saturday’s 3-2 win over Subiaco made it four straight wins and eight matches unbeaten.

Sorrento continued their climb up the table with a 3-1 defeat of Armadale, whose season is petering out after winning the Belt Up Cup and the excitement of an FFA Cup trip to Cairns.

Results

Perth Glory 3 (Domfeh 37min, 59, Timmins 39)
Cockburn City 3 (Lazzaro 25min, O'Brien 77, Teles 90+2)
FULL MATCH REPORT HERE

Perth SC 2 (Orr pen 34min, Furfaro 38)
ECU Joondalup 1 (Brooks 90min)
FULL MATCH REPORT HERE

Inglewood United 7 (Rosindale 11min, 28, Keogh 39, Murphy 42, Salmon 52, 71, 76)
Joondalup United 1 (Tattersall 74 min)
FULL MATCH REPORT HERE

Balcatta 1 (Shurama 19min)
Stirling Lions 3 (Micevski 21min, 43, Tanevski 75)
FULL MATCH REPORT HERE

Sorrento 3 (Jones 18min, Vittiglia 21, Morgan 54)
Armadale 1 (Kuser 49min)
FULL MATCH REPORT HERE

Floreat Athena 3 (Evans 56min, Arnold 68, Saldaris 76)
Subiaco 2 (McMurray 38min, Harding 87)
FULL MATCH REPORT HERE

Bayswater City 2 (Ninkovic 29min, Sinclair og 45)
Forrestfield United 1 (Sinclair 41min)
FULL MATCH REPORT HERE