Report by Peter Simcox

Photos: Peter Simcox

Cockburn City kick-started their PS4 National Premier League WA season with a 3-1 win against Balcatta at Dalmatinac Park.

The Cockerels have fell away in recent weeks, but the league’s top goal scorer Rory Patterson fired them in front early. 

The visitors levelled just after the half hour through skipper Adam Tong, but second half goals to Friday Zico and Harry O’Brien gave City victory and moved them up to sixth on the league table.

Cockburn Coach Marc Anthony said his side hasn’t been playing well, but said they put in a good shift and hopes they can kick on.

“It’s not a secret; we’ve not been playing that well, so it was pleasing to get a result to be honest. We gave away a terrible goal, but all credit to the boys, they hit back and got a good result,” he said. 

“We’ve had to chop and change things around because of injuries, but that’s no excuse.

“I said at the start of the season we had a good enough squad and that’s not changed.

“We are down to the bare bones at the back, but I thought today the back five were great for us.”  

The return of WA State keeper Curtis Aspden was a huge boost for the home side and his performance was outstanding, and like the coach, Aspden hopes they can build on the win.

“We've had a hard draw at the start of the season, but we have been awful recently and hopefully this is the kick start for us,” he said. 

“We have a lot of experience in the spine of the team, but we also have some younger players who are learning their trade, and hopefully they can grow in to it.” 

Rain clouds were hovering at kick off, but the gloom at Cockburn was lifted on 26 minutes when they hit the front. Patterson saw his first shot blocked by Clint Davies, but the striker was quickest to the rebound firing home to give Cockburn the lead. 

However, their lead only lasted for 10 minutes. A short corner caught Cockburn napping, and Adrian Caceres’ cross into the area flicked off Cockburn defender Alan Carroll, and the final touch came off Tong to level.

The home side had Aspden to thank for going into the break on level terms. Steve Sokol burst into the area, but his shot was well saved by the Cockburn custodian. 

Cockburn came out the better after the break, with Carroll heading over early, before Julian Teles blazed over on 56 minutes.

Aspden was at it again on the hour, as Gustavo Catarcione crossed to Caceres, whose effort was superbly saved by the Cockburn keeper.

That save became more significant when Cockburn regained the lead on 74 minutes. Patterson’s deep cross found second half substitute Friday Zico, who headed home.

Balcatta pressed for the equaliser and thought they had found it six minutes later, but Aspden had other ideas. 

Patrick Quinn’s cross from the right deflected off Devon Gibson, and it was heading for the corner of the net, but Aspden produced a stunning reaction save at his near post.  

With the rain falling, the game opened up, and Cockburn winger Feisal Zaw’s shot crashed off the post, before James Sammut’s long-range shot flashed wide for Balcatta.

But the points were made save for the home side in stoppage time. Zaw fed Patterson’ who unselfishly pulled the ball back to O’Brien who scored from five metres.    

Cockburn City 3 (Patterson 26mins, Zico 73, O’Brien 90+2)
Balcatta 1 (Tong 37)
Saturday 16 May 2015
Dalmatinac Park, Spearwood
Referee: Tim Mihevc
Assistants: Alex Kim and Calum Irvine

Cockburn City: GK Curtis ASPDEN, 3 Jonathan CORNESS, 5 Alan CARROLL,  8 David ARAYA, 10 Rory PATTERSON, 11 Devon GIBSON, 12 Feisal ZAW, 13 Blake ADAMS, 14 Conor KAVANAGH (C), 15 Harry O'BRIEN, 16 Julian TELES (7 Friday ZICO 62)
Subs not used: RGK Jack ADAMS, 2 Josh KUSER, 9 Liam MURRAY, 18 Jonty TURNER
Yellow Cards: Zico 85

Balcatta: GK Clint DAVIES, 3 Kieron STALLARD, 4 Alexander SULESKI, 5 Adam TONG (C) (17 Kieran COLWELL 86), 10 Adrian CACERES (16 Dejan ANDRIC 77), 11 Gustavo CATARCIONE, 13 Patrick SARA (7 James SAMMUT 65), 14 Steve SOKOL, 15 Marc De FRANCESCH, 20 Patrick QUINN, 23 Marc ZAGAMI
Subs not used: RGK Daniel PASSARELLI, 6 Luke RANDAZZO
Yellow Cards: Catarcione 75