Report by Ryan Borrett

Goals to Jordan Candlish and Nathan Smith gave Subiaco a shock 2-0 win over second placed Floreat Athena in Round 20 of the PS4 NPLWA.

The hosts slipped further behind leaders Inglewood and are now just a point clear of Perth who moves into third.

It was the defensive discipline and organisation of Subiaco that stood out as Floreat struggled to break the visitors down once they had taken an early lead.

Subiaco player coach Ian McMurray was overjoyed with his team’s efforts.

“I’m absolutely delighted,” he said.

“To come to Floreat who are second in the league and score two goals and keep a clean sheet is fantastic.

“No one stood out today. It was a real team performance, everyone put in a shift and did their job well.”

Subiaco took the lead in the 12th minute when McMurray made a great run down the left wing and crossed for Candlish to smash his shot into the bottom corner.

Floreat struggled to create chances as Subiaco defended staunchly with goalkeeper Ryan Montgomery having little to do.

They doubled their advantage early in the second half as full back Nathan Smith made a dashing run into the box and placed his shot neatly into the near post.

Floreat pushed numbers forward in search of a way back into the game, but Subiaco’s defence continued to excel with Ludovic Boi well-marked throughout.

The visitors almost made it 3-0 on 79 minutes as they counter-attacked with Chris Saldaris making a last-ditch goal line clearance to keep Floreat within reach.

Floreat couldn’t find a way back into the game as Subiaco’s impressive form continued with a third win in a row.

Floreat Athena 0
Subiaco 2 (Candlish 12min, Smith 49)
Saturday, July 8, 2017
E&D Litis Stadium
Kick-off: 3:00pm
Referee: Tom Glavovic

Floreat Athena: 1. Jason SALDARIS 2. Zoran VRTESKI (11. Juma AWAKA 56) 4. Andrew SCALDAFERRO 6. Jesse FULLER 8. Jonathan STYNES 10. Kristopher GATE 12. Jackson MORGAN (20. Joe TWEATS 81) 13. Zelfy NAZARY (33. Mark PRITCHARD 56) 14. Ludovic BOI 15. Christopher SALDARIS 17. Dean EVANS
Substitutes not used: 99. Aidan HOLLOWAY
Yellow cards: SALDARIS 35
Red cards: nil

Subiaco: 1. Ryan MONTGOMERY 4. Alexander RANDELL 6. Steve PURTON 7. Nathan DIAZ 11. Carlin FEELY 12. Nathan SMITH 13. Jordan CANDLISH (9. Asher NELSON 87) 14. Ross JARMAN 16. Ian MCMURRAY (10. Adrian CACERES 81) 17. Alex CASTIELLO 18. David PERICH (8. Mike LAWSON 86)
Substitutes not used: 19. Stefan HILL
Yellow cards: CASTIELLO 7, PERICH 48, RANDELL 58
Red cards: nil