Report by Kalon Harrison

After an absence of good fortune in the past few games, Floreat finally made their own luck with a 1-0 win over Balcatta at Grindleford Reserve, according to assistant coach Glen Grostate.

“You can dominate a game and still lose or draw and that’s happened to us in a few games this year,” he said. “With the quality of players that we’ve got I think we can (turn it around). Definitely.”

Pictured: Ludo Boi in action. Photo: Peter Simcox.

Ludo Boi grabbed the only goal in a game that produced plenty of chances for the away side. With 20 minutes left Boi had an initial shot blocked on the line but made sure at the second attempt by placing his shot into the top corner.

Floreat had a golden opportunity to go two up from the penalty spot with 10 minutes to go after Balcatta full back Kieran Colwell brought down Floreat captain Callum Fransz.

Substitute Lewis McMahon’s effort was tame and Damien Stanoevski saved the penalty diving to his right and McMahon’s weak follow-up attempt.

Stankoevski was kept busy throughout the game and pulled off some marvellous saves but was also aided by the woodwork in the second half.

The best save was the first the keeper had to make from an Aryn Williams effort. After the midfielder got in behind the Balcatta defence, Stanoevski looked like he went the wrong way but saved the shot with his feet.

Hearts were in mouth in the 61st minute when John Thornley got a toe to the ball before the outrushing Stanoevski but the effort bobbled onto a post and was cleared off the line.

Balcatta coach Ramon Falzon felt his players were not mentally prepared for the game and let their performance level drop.

“Floreat were better than us all over the park,” he said. “We had five wins and got into second place and maybe we thought it’ll be automatic that we stay there.

“Today showed that we need to work hard for it.”

The result puts Floreat Athena into seventh place only behind Cockburn City on goal difference. Balcatta drop to fourth after Sorrento beat Bayswater and Perth beat Cockburn.

Balcatta FC 0
Floreat Athena FC 1 (Ludo BOI 70’)
Saturday 31 May, 2014
Grindleford Reserve
Kick-off: 3:00pm
Referee: Matt Southern
Crowd: approx 200

Balcatta: 1. Damien STANOEVSKI, 3. Kieron STALLARD, 5. Adam TONG, 7. James SAMMUT, 8. David CYRUS, 10. Matt IZZO (9. Carlo COELHO 62’), 14. Benny KOUAKOU, 18. Marc DE FRANCESCH, 16. Alex CANIGLIA (6. Luke RANDAZZO 74’), 17. Kieran COLWELL, 19. Gustavo CATARCIONE
Substitutes not used: 21. Daniel PASSHRELLI, 12. Matt BROOK, 13. Patrick SARA
Yellow cards: Catarcione 58’
Red cards: Nil

Floreat: 23. Tom DIXON, 17. Callum FRANSZ, 33. Marc WALSH, 8. Bobby WILSON, 13. Cameron YORKE, 10. Aryn WILLIAMS, 14. Ludo BOI, 12. John THORNLEY (19. Lewis McMAHON 74’), 9. Jamie EAMES, 3. Jack ALLEN, 2. Blair GOVAN
Substitutes not used: 4. Ryan PRETORIUS, 16. Ashley CORKER, 6. Andrew SCALDAFERRO, 99. Michael WOOLCOTT
Yellow cards: Williams 25’, Govan 90’
Red cards: Nil