Army on the front foot with latest win
Report by Kelechi Osunwa
Rockingham keeper Cyril Sharrock tries to clear as Armadale turn up the heat. Photo by Jonny Warrington
Armadale went top of the National Premier Leagues WA following a clinical 3-0 win over Rockingham City at Alfred Skeet Reserve.
The home side made the most of their chances in a scrappy encounter with Adriano Jelenovic grabbing two goals.
Armadale are the only team with a 100 per cent record after two rounds, while Rockingham have started life in the NPL with two heavy losses and are yet to score.
The home side took the lead when Sam Garces crept into the box and coolly volleyed home 10 minutes before half-time.
Rockingham had a chance to equalise before half time when referee Matt Southern awarded a penalty after James Harmer had been brought down in the box by Armadale keeper Sam Hutchings.
But Hutchings made amends with a pair of fantastic saves to deny Harmer from the spot and his follow up.
Rockingham started the second half the better but couldn’t get beyond Billy Quinncroft and Nathan Costello marshalling the Armadale defence.
And just as Rockingham were developing a spell of pressure Armadale scored the second.
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Dannie Richman won the ball high up the pitch and played in Jelenovic, who kept his composure and slotted past ex-Armadale keeper Cyrill Sharrock.
Rockingham pushed for a goal with Victor Brauner looking lively and Harmer hitting the post.
But Jelenovic put the game beyond doubt when Rockingham were caught with too many men up field. He rounded Sharrock to score and sent Armadale top of the league to the delight of the home faithful.
Star man: Ali Nazary
Armadale 3 (Garces 35min, Jelenovic 55 86)
Rockingham City 0
Saturday, March, 23, 2019
Alfred Skeet Reserve
Kick-off: 3:00pm
Referee: Matt Southern
Assistant referees: Peter Kaiser, Darren McCleaver
Armadale: 1. Sam HUTCHINGS, 4. Nathan COSTELLO, 9. Billy QUINNCROFT, 5. Ali NAZARY, 2. Josh KAISER, 13. Blake ADAMS, 12. Dannie RICHMAN, 10. Sam GARCES (14. Connor ATKINSON 80), 3. James HARAN (6. Joel SANDERSON 73), 11. Adriano JELENOVIC, 7. Joshua CORTES (19. Harry EVANS 71)
Substitutes not used: 21. Ismael BANGURA, 30. Blake HENSHELL
Yellow cards: Dannie Richman 30, Sam Garces 45+1, Billy Quinncroft 90
Red cards: Nil
Rockingham City: GK: Cyril SHARROCK, 2. Mitch FIRTH (9. Sam MACKERNAN 14) , 5. Harry COLLIN, 7. James MILLARD, 15. Jason POTTIER (23. Victor BRAUNER 65), 12. Lydon HODGKISS, 33. Jarrad MORT, 14. Ryan KENNEDY (4. Jason CONSTABLE 65), 18. Michael FARMER, 6. Blake SOKOLOWSKI, 30. James HARMER
Substitutes not used: 31: James GREHAN
Yellow cards: Ryan Kennedy 29
Red cards: Nil
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