Report by Daryn McCleave

Gustavo Giron Marulanda bagged a hat-trick as Bayswater City squeezed out Cockburn City by the odd goal in seven, in a dramatic encounter at Frank Drago Reserve.

Two goals from Maralunda mid-way through the first half seemingly put the unbeaten runaway leaders on course for another routine three points, but the Cockerels had other ideas.

Immediately after the break Conor Kavanagh halved the deficit, and by the hour-mark Rory Patterson fired the visitors into a shock lead with a well taken double.

The lead lasted all but two minutes however as Bor Bor Sam made it 3-3 before Maralunda netted the winner from the penalty spot with twenty minutes left to play.

The win ensured they remain eight points clear at the summit, but Bayswater coach Chris Coyne was quick to acknowledge his side had "dodged a bullet" against Marc Anthony's Cockburn.

"We didn't deserve the three points. I feel a bit bad for Marc and the Cockburn boys, they worked tremendously hard in the second half,” he said.

"Even at 2-0 up at half-time we didn’t deserve it. We just weren't at the races and that's disappointing.

"I thought we were super complacent all game - decision making, second balls. We're lucky, (but) thankful for the three points.”

No doubt the visitors will be pleased to see the back of Bayswater, and more specifically Marulanda, who has netted eight goals in three games in league and cup matches this season against the Cockerels.

This game pitted together two of the three-joint leading goal scorers in the PS4 National Premier Leagues WA, with Marulanda alongside Patterson and Floreat Athena's Ludo Boi all on 12 strikes before kickoff on Saturday.

But it took 17 minutes before any notable effort at goal, Marulanda breaking clear but seeing his low shot come back into play off both posts, and a minute later finding the net only to see a raised flag for offside.

Three minutes later he was through again from David Heagney's pass, and this time made no mistake, picking his spot past Curtis Aspden's left hand.

Moments later the Colombian once again found himself one-on-one with Aspden following a mis-cued defensive header, and again he found the net, this time low to the keeper's right hand side.

Trent Kay was also deemed to be in an offside position as he bundled home from close-range but Cockburn finally responded as the half drew to a close.

Kavanagh should have reduced the arrears heading into the break, but could only skim the wrong side of the woodwork from Patterson's lay-off.

Two minutes after the restart however Kavanagh made amends, smashing home from 8m following a game of head tennis.

Patterson saw an effort blocked by Devon Spence before he turned his marker on the edge of the area and fired emphatically past the helpless keeper to equalize.

And before Bayswater could respond, Patterson had his second, again twisting and turning before unleashing another powerful shot high into the net.

But before Cockburn could even start to think of a repeat of last year's 4-2 win at Frank Drago Reserve, the hosts hauled themselves level, Sam working his way into the area before firing across goal into the far corner from a tight angle.

Following five goals in 15 minutes, there was eight minutes breathing space before Marulanda tumbled inside the area and was awarded a penalty.

He duly stepped up, sending Aspden the wrong way to claim the match ball and jump one goal ahead of Patterson in the race for the Golden Boot.

Julien Teles had Cockburn's best chance as they sought another comeback, but his header lacked any power or placement to trouble Spence.

Marc Anthony felt his Cockburn side dominated for long periods of the game but ultimately believed Bayswater's experience told in the end.

"The quality they have, you give them chances they will bury them," he said.

“But we were outstanding second half and I feel we were undone by a pretty poor penalty decision.”

Bayswater City 4 (Marulanda 20 mins, 27, 70 pen, Sam 61)
Cockburn City 3 (Kavanagh 47 mins, Patterson 58, 60)
3pm, Saturday 25 July, 2015
Frank Drago Reserve
Referee: Steven GREGORY

Bayswater City: 1. Devon SPENCE, 2. Declan HARGREAVES, 12. Adam TONG, 13. Trent KAY, 20. Sam MITCHINSON, 14. Danny DIXON, 6. Todd HOWARTH, 8. Paul McCARTHY, 9. Gustavo Giron MARULANDA (19. Jordan BROWN 90+1), 21. David HEAGNEY, 17. Bor Bor SAM.
Substitutes not used: 15. Brian FARRELL, 4. Patiente ILAHAMBAYE, 7. Jamie MURPHY, 25. Pasquale GIOFFRE
Yellow cards: Mitchinson

Cockburn City: 1. Curtis ASPDEN, 3. Jonathan CORNESS, 5. Alan CARROLL, 17. Eamon McNELIS, 13. Blake ADAMS, 8. David ARAYA (7. Friday ZICO 75'), 11. Devon GIBSON 12. Feisal ZAW (2. Joshua KUSER 81'), 14. Conor KAVANAGH, 10. Rory PATTERSON, 16. Julian TELES (6. Daniel ROBINSON 87').
Substitutes not used: 23. Jack ADAMS, 18. Kemal MOUTHYS
Yellow cards: McNelis 40, Gibson 73'