Report by Peter Simcox

Photos: Daniel Lim

A goal eight minutes from time from substitute Brian Farrell earned Bayswater City a hard fought 4-3 win against Armadale in a thrilling QBE Night Series semi-final at Dorrien Gardens last night.

Bayswater will take on Stirling Lions, who beat Floreat Athena 3-2 in the other semi-final, in the Night Series Final at nib Stadium on Saturday, March 12.

Gustavo Giron Marulanda and Hayden Doyle had given City an early 2-0 lead, but Alex Salmon pulled a goal back for Armadale before half-time.

David Heagney made it 3-1 seven minutes into the second half, but English import Salmon completed his hat-trick to draw Armadale level before Farrell had the last word.

Despite the win, Bayswater coach Chris Coyne was less than satisfied with his side’s performance. “Our first 30 minutes was excellent but after that wasn’t the performance I expect from my team,” he said.

“You can’t go from being 2-0 up and playing some good football to produce the rubbish that we did in the second half. It’s just not acceptable.

“I told the players at half time that we were 45 minutes away from another Grand Final, and they go and produce that in the second half.

“They’re good players but they can’t let their standards slip, and I can guarantee you that there will be a different team with a different mentality next week in the final.”

Armadale striker Salmon conceded Armadale’s effort had been edged by Bayswater’s quality.

“It was a great performance from the lads tonight, the only thing that killed us was the first 20 minutes,” the former Carlisle United players said. “We showed them too much respect but to be honest they were just too good.”

“Both teams had chances and at 3-3 it could have gone either way, but a bit of quality at the end won it for them. It’s nice to have scored a hat-trick but I would have preferred to reach the final. But we’ve had a good Night Series, the new lads have gelled well and we’re looking forward to the new league season.”

Bayswater hit the front on 16 minutes when Hayden Doyle fed Sam Mitchinson on the left and his low cross was turned home by Giron Marulanda from 5m.

It was 2-0 five minutes later when Heagney sent Doyle in on goal and the former Perth Glory midfielder finished clinically past Alfie Brincat.

A shell shocked Armadale hit back and Salmon’s header was well saved by Devon Spence before the Reds reduced the margin on 33 minutes. Ellis Healing’s corner wasn’t cleared and Salmon’s shot on the turn flew into the net.

But seven minutes into the second half Bayswater added a third. There looked little danger when a ball was played into the Armadale penalty area, but the attempted clearance rebounded back off another Armadale defender falling kindly to Heagney, who finished low past Brincat.

It looked game over but Armadale had other ideas and pulled one back on the hour. A slip by Jamie Coyne let in Salmon, and the striker raced clear, rounded Brincat and fired home.

They were level on 73 minutes when Banin Hasham was brought down by City keeper Spence and Salmon fired home the resulting penalty.

It was anyone’s game and with Healing and Salmon pulling the strings for Armadale, and Todd Howarth and Andrija Jukic doing likewise for City, the crowd were on the edge of their seats.

But on 82 minutes the current PS4 NPLWA Champions scored the winner. Farrell was found on the edge of the penalty area, and his half-volley flew into the net.

City will take on Stirling Lions, who beat Floreat Athena 3-2 in the other semi-final, in the QBE Night Series Grand Final at nib Stadium on Saturday.

Bayswater City 4 (Giron Marulanda 16 mins, Doyle 21, Heagney 52, Farrell 82)
Armadale 3 (Salmon 33 mins, 59, 73)
Ground: Dorrien Gardens, West Perth
Attendance: 300 (approx)
Referee: Josh Mannella
Assistants: Stuart Muldoon and Liviu Katona
Fourth official: David Bruce

Bayswater City: GK Devon SPENCE, 5 Andrew REALE (17 Jamie MURPHY 77), 6 Todd HOWARTH, 7 Hayden DOYLE (15 Brian FARRELL 62), 9 Gustavo GIRON-MARULANDA, 13 Trent KAY (C), 16 Jamie COYNE, 20 Sam MITCHINSON, 21 David HEAGNEY, 22 Nathan COSTELLO (2 Jack JONES 71), 23 Andrija JUKIC
Substitutes not used: RGK Fraser GREENWOOD, 19 Alexander WILD
Yellow cards: Nil

Armadale: GK Alfie BRINCAT, 2 Alex CASTIELLO, 3 Jake SARDELIC, 4 Jesse FULLER (C), 7 Banin HASHEM (14 Dylan WHITE 77), 8 Caleb DIXON, 9 Raveshian KUPPUSAMY (16 Jordan CANDLISH 85), 10 Alex SALMON, 11 Ellis HEALING, 15 Nathan SMITH, 17 Trevor LAURE (5 Sam LOVELESS 26)
Substitutes not used: RGK Alec RADONICH, 18 James ATKINS
Yellow cards: Castiello 49