Report by Aisling Lawless

Bayswater City coach Chris Coyne expects his players to use the momentum gained during last night’s historic Westfield FFA Cup clash against Melbourne Victory in their bid to seal the National Premier Leagues WA league title this weekend.

Goals from Kosta Barbarouses and Archie Thompson sealed a 2-0 win for the two-time Hyundai A-League champions Victory in front of 1650 at the WA Athletics Stadium last night, but Bayswater gained plenty of positives from their performance.

Pictured: Besart Berisha takes on Trent Kay. Photo: Getty Images.

After a nervous start Coyne thought his side were by far the better team in the second half, setting them in good stead for the final regular round NPL WA match against fourth-placed Sorrento at Percy Doyle Reserve on Saturday. Bayswater lead the competition by two points from second-placed Perth SC, who are away to Cockburn City.

“I think the way they expressed themselves, especially some of the younger boys, was superb,” Coyne said of his side’s performance against Victory. “Once they got to grips with things they came up and gave a good account of themselves.

“I’m sure if they roll with the same conviction, capacity and hunger to put up a fight against a team, they’ll have no issues.”

But despite the Round of 32 Cup exit Coyne has relished the experience and the excitement the competition has generated.

“We’ve really enjoyed this path, and have had a taste, but we’ll be super hungry next year,” he said.

Bayswater were put under early pressure from Victory and Guilherme Finkler’s shot forced a fingertip diving save from Devon Spence just seven minutes in.

The local side had their hands full trying to contain the star studded Victory line-up, which included new signing Besart Berisha, who caused trouble up front.

The former Brisbane Roar player was part of a series of slick passes by the visitors in the area and set-up Barbarouses, who coolly slotted the ball past Spence in the 23rd minute.

Bayswater’s only real first-half chance came after Steve Burton won an aerial challenge and knocked the ball back to David Heagney, whose powerful shot from range was tipped over the crossbar by Victory keeper Nathan Coe.

Coyne’s men came out much stronger in the second half and seven minutes in Brian Farrell volleyed a cross-field ball from Heagney but it sailed narrowly wide.

They came close to equalising again in the 70th minute when a free-kick taken by Todd Howarth dipped below the crossbar, forcing Coe to tip it out for a corner.

But Victory doubled their lead in a moment of brilliance with just 13 minutes to go. Berisha was again the instigator, this time supplying Thompson who slid the ball into the bottom right corner of the net.

Victory coach Kevin Muscat said his side looked dangerous in the front third, especially during their dominant first half.

“It’s good to have a meaningful competitive game in the pre-season,” Muscat said.

“There were a number of chances and we scored two very good goals, which is a positive sign going forward.

“From their perspective, once we got that first goal it was a lot harder for them and they had to come out in the second half.

“They had a good go and hopefully they can go on and win the league on Saturday - I wish them all the best.”

BAYSWATER CITY 0
MELBOURNE VICTORY 2  (BARBAROUSES 23', THOMPSON 77')
Wednesday 20th August, 2014
Venue: WA Athletics Stadium
Kick-off: 7.30pm
Attendance: 1650
Referee: Kris Griffiths
Assistant Referees: Tim Mihevc, Michael Jasinski, Adam Fielding

Bayswater City: 1. Devon SPENCE, 2. Declan HARGREAVES, 5. Andrew REALE 6. Todd HOWARTH, 8. Paul McCARTHY (10. Damien CATALANO 80'), 12. Steve BURTON (9. Gustavo GIRON MARULANDA 50'), 13. Trent KAY, 15. Brian FARRELL, 20. Samuel MITCHINSON, 21. David HEAGNEY (3. Adam BACHIELLER 59'), 23. Christopher SALDARIS.
Substitutes not used: 18. James ISAIA, 22. Joel DRISCOLL (gk).
Yellow cards: 12. Steve BURTON 21'
Red cards: Nil

Melbourne Victory: 1. Nathan COE (GK), 2. Jason GERIA, 6. Leigh BROXHAM (c) (5. Mark MILLIGAN 59'), 7. Guilherme FINKLER (11. Connor PAIN 72'), 8. Besart BERISHA, 9. Kosta BARBAROUSES, 10. Archie THOMPSON (22. Jesse MAKAROUNAS 84'), 17. Matthieu DELPIERRE, 21. Carl VALERI, 23. Adrian LEIJER, 24. Scott GALLOWAY.
Substitutes not used: 18. Dylan MURNANE, 20. Lawrence THOMAS (gk),
Yellow cards: 6. Leigh BROXHAM 41'
Red cards: Nil