Report by Colin Outhwaite

Floreat Athena put in a solid performance to beat a young Balcatta side 3-0 at Grindleford Reserve in their PS4 National Premier Leagues WA fixture.

An own goal followed by a goal from Gate a minute later put the visitors two-up, before Gate’s second completed the win and denied Balcatta any chance of taking fifth place.

Floreat couldn't afford to drop points as they remain one point clear in second place, but coach Glen Grostate says he's not worried about what Perth are doing below them.

"We've just got to do what we've done for the other 20 games and try and win," he said.

"The boys want that second place and they deserve it."

Floreat pressed early and forced Carmelo Guiffre to direct a cross into his own net in the 12th minute.  

Immediately after they pounced with a fluid attack. Ludo Boi and Steve Burton moved quickly down the pitch and Gates sent the ball into the back of the net.
 
Balcatta failed to produce any highlights in the game with Slade Rule's shot over the bar on the brink of half time being their only attempt.
 
Balcatta captain James Sammut said it was never going to be easy with a team lacking in experience.

"We had a lot of players out and 2-0 down against a quality side is tough to come back from," he said.

In the 18th minute Balcatta keeper Clint Davies fumbled a catch that resulted in Phil Arnold hitting the inside of the post.

Davies made up for his mistake with a fast reaction save to keep out Jack Allen's turning volley from Jonathan Stynes' cross in the 34th minute.

He did well to keep out further efforts from Arnold and Stynes in the second half, but could do nothing about Gates' cracking strike from the edge of the penalty area in the 84th minute. 
 
Balcatta are still searching for a high point to end the season on and Sammut hopes it will come in the final game against Armadale.
 
"Three weeks ago we were pushing for fourth, but now fifth has gone,” he said.
 
"We need to put that behind us, focus on the positives and get a good result in the last game."

Balcatta SC 0
Floreat Athena 3 (OG 12mins, Gate 13, 84)
Grindleford Reserve
Saturday August 29, 2015
Kick-off: 3pm
Referee: Steve Gregory
Assistant Referees: Adrian Leitch, Roland Hunt
 
Balcatta: 1. Clint DAVIES (gk), 2. Hanafi GHEZALI, 4. Jackson AMOSA (5. Ali KHATERI 62'), 6. Carmelo GIUFFRE (15. Joel MARTIN 89'), 7. James SAMMUT (c), 8. Scott JOHNSTON, 10. Zelfy NAZARY, 14. Slade RULE (20. Bojan STEFOSKI 88'), 17. Kieren COLWELL, 18. Shazalee RAMLEE, 23. Marc ZAGAMI 11. Gustavo CATARCIONE, 6. Ross DIAMOND, 8. Simon LEDUN 50. Blamo QUAQUA 
Substitutes not used: 21. Daniel PASSARELLI, 3. Alec FEMIA,
Yellow Cards: Ramlee 87
Red Cards: Nil

Floreat: 23. Dejan ALEKSIC (gk), 2. Blair GOVAN (15. Andrew SCALDAFERRO 82'), 3. Jack ALLEN, 4. Aryn WILLIAMS, 6. Clayton ARNEZ, 10. Jonathan STYNES, 11. Dennis GALAN, 12. Kris GATE (16. Nathan GROSTATE 87'), 14. Ludovic BOI (c) (17. Callum FRANSZ 55'), 18. Phillip ARNOLD, 19. Steven BURTON
Substitutes not used: 8. Brian GWATIRINGA,
Yellow cards: Arnold 55
Red Cards: Nil