Report by Peter Simcox

Photos: Peter Simcox

Cockburn City moved up to fifth place on the PS4 National Premier League WA table, after a 2-1 win against a young ECU Joondalup side at Dalmatinac Park.

Harry O’Brien was the hero for the home side with two well-taken goals, either side of Tommy Amphlett’s equaliser for the visitors.

The former Perth Glory midfielder said he was happy to get on the score sheet and help his side to three points.

“We made hard work of it today, but at the end of the day we got the job done and three points,” he said.

“I’m trying my best each week to get on the score sheet, and I like to cut in and strike with my right, luckily enough today they went in.”

Cockburn Coach Marc Anthony was full of praise for O’Brien.

“Harry had a great game against Bayswater in the cup, and it was probably a defining moment for him to get his season back on track,” he said.

“He’s been a bit out of sorts, and his confidence took a knock after what went on at the Glory, but I thought he was almost back to his best today.”

The coach also praised youngster Jonathan Corness, who played in a different role on the day.

“Jonathan has been fantastic all year for us, and he has been a breath of fresh air since he came into the club,” Anthony said.

“He’s played a number of different roles in the team this season, and we’re really happy with the way he is going.

“He doesn’t say too much, but he does his talking on the pitch, and today he put in another solid performance.”

It was lacklustre start to proceedings, with chances few and far between; the first real opportunity fell to the visitors on 24 minutes. 

Amphlett raced away down the right, cut inside his marker, his shot was well saved by Curtis Aspden, with Alan Carroll on hand to head away the rebound.

Cockburn, who are on a four game streak without defeat, went close themselves on 27 minutes. ECU custodian Jamie Serra saving well to deny Cockburn top scorer Rory Patterson.

But 10 minutes later the home side hit the front. O’Brien found space on the left, and cut inside Roland Rixer. His shot took a slight deflection and flew low into the corner of the net giving Serra no chance.

The visitors started the second half well and Amphlett’s shot on the run flew over the top in the first minute.

But three minutes later they drew level. Amphlett won a tackle on the edge of the box, and he raced into the area and fired clinically past Aspden.

The home almost hit back immediately. A poor clearance from Serra turned the ball over and O’Brien raced into the area, but his shot from the angle hit the base of the post and went away to safety.

Serra was keeping his side in the game. The keeper made a great save to deny O’Brien on the hour, and produced an even better one to thwart the same player moments later.

O’Brien was starring and he should have added a second on 79 minutes. A quick free kick by Julian Teles caught ECU napping, and the ball found its way to O’Brien, but his shot flashed inches wide of the target.

But that was all forgotten 60 seconds later when Cockburn regained the lead.

Patterson played a good through ball to O’Brien on the left. He cut inside his marker across the edge of the penalty area, and his shot flew into the corner of the net.

ECU pushed men forward looking for the equaliser and was nearly caught out at the back.

Patterson’s shot from the edge of the penalty area was well saved by Serra. 

Then, Serra was out bravely to save at the feet of Liam Murray in stoppage time.

 

Cockburn City 2 (O’Brien 38 mins, 80)
ECU Joondalup 1 (Amphlett 50 mins)
Saturday 6 June 2015
Dalmatinac Park
Referee: Michal Jasinski
Assistants: Oliver Allen and Alex Novatsis

Cockburn City: GK Curtis ASPDEN, 3 Jonathan CORNESS, 5 Alan CARROLL, 8 David ARAYA (9 Liam MURRAY 77’), 10 Rory PATTERSON, 11 Devon GIBSON, 12 Feisal ZAW (16 Julian TELES 70’), 13 Blake ADAMS, 14 Conor KAVANAGH, 15 Harry O'BRIEN (90’), 17 Eamon McNELIS
Subs not used: RGK Jack ADAMS, 7 Daniel BRYANT
Yellow cards: Blake Adams 71’, Murray 88’

ECU Joondalup: GK Jamie SERRA, 2 Ryan LOWRY, 4 Charlie COMYN-PLATT, 5 Harry BISSETT, 6 Jon STYNES, 7 Paul MILLER, 8 Joe SMITH (17 Bayley MONTGOMERY 86’), 11 Rowdy YATES, 12 Ronald RIXER, 13 Tommy AMPHLETT, 14 Ollie ANNIS (10 Stuart MONTGOMERY 81’)
Substitutes not used: RGK Ash MAYNARD-BREWER, 9 Guy MCDONALD, 15 Joel PROUT
Yellow cards: Comyn-Platt 88’