MATCH WRAP: Bayswater grit pays off
With the National Premier Leagues WA campaign at the halfway mark, champions Bayswater City are giving a familiar look to the top of the table.
LINKS TO FULL MATCH REPORTS BELOW
Chris Coyne's side came through a testing examination from ECU Joondalup at Frank Drago Reserve on Saturday to maintain a three-point gap over Cockburn City.
Luka Ninkovic scored the only goal after two minutes, before Bayswater stood firm in the face of a late Jacks' onslaught.
“We looked really leggy in the second half. We have nine first squad players missing and we knew it would catch up with us eventually and today was the day,” Coyne said.
“We had to tweak it a little in the second half and had to absorb the pressure and defensively we were magnificent today, and all that matters is we got the three points.
“I thought ECU were magnificent, they went on till the last minute and they will be disappointed to come away nothing."
Cockburn also had to show their resilience away to Armadale as they too won thanks to an early goal.
The Cockerels, who stay three points off top spot, went in front on nine minutes through a Rueben Tristao header and then saw out the match with a controlled display.
Cockburn captain Euen Grant said: “I think collectively as a team we defended for our lives and when it counted in the big moments in defence we stood up well."
The young legs of Perth Glory again told late on as they eventually brushed aside Subiaco 3-0 to cement third spot.
Daniel Stynes struck on 11 minutes but it wasn't until the final stages that Glory finally broke down their dogged opponents, with Joe Knowles and Michael Domfeh giving the scoreline a slightly flattering look.
Perth SC jumped up to fourth with a 3-0 win over Joondalup United, who were unable to build on their first win of the season last week. Inglewood United, who fell victim to that upset loss, beat Balcatta 3-1 to move to fifth while ECU are now sixth.
Stirling Lions made it three straight wins to send Forrestfield United into the bottom three. David Micevski netted twice for Keegan Ashley's men, with the coach hailing a "dominant display".
“I think we could have had a few more if I’m honest, but we scored four goals and kept a clean sheet so I’m happy," he said.
Sorrento moved out of the relegation zone but coach Jamie Harnwell was left frustrated after his side conceded a last-minute equaliser to Floreat Athena, who remain second bottom.
“Our first half wasn’t good enough; the second half was a bit better but a goal like that just sours everything,” he said.
RESULTS
Perth Glory 3-0 Subiaco
FULL MATCH REPORT HERE
Perth SC 3-0 Joondalup United
FULL MATCH REPORT HERE
Bayswater City 1-0 ECU Joondalup
FULL MATCH REPORT HERE
Stirling Lions 4-0 Forrestfield United
FULL MATCH REPORT HERE
Sorrento 2-2 Floreat Athena
FULL MATCH REPORT HERE
Inglewood United 3-1 Balcatta
FULL MATCH REPORT HERE
Armadale 0-1 Cockburn City
FULL MATCH REPORT HERE
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