Report by Al Martin

What do the foreheads of Steve Burton, Chris Saldaris and Paul McCarthy have in common? They were all expertly picked out by Todd Howarth to find the net in Bayswater City’s latest win.

Former Perth Glory midfielder Howarth was in scintillating form and quashed any hopes Balcatta had of causing an upset as Bayswater finished 5-2 winners in their second round National Premier Leagues WA fixture at Frank Drago Reserve.

Howarth’s performance earned lavish praise from Bayswater coach Chris Coyne.

“He’s still an A-League standard player and athlete that never should have left (the competition),” Coyne said.

Howarth was just pleased to have helped his side get three points after missing out on playing in Bayswater’s first NPL WA game.

“I doubt it’s realistic to think about returning to the A-League at 32 but if the opportunity arose, of course I’d still love to,” he said.

Balcatta started the stronger of the two sides when left winger Luke Randazzo latched onto Ben Meredith’s cutback to open the scoring after just five minutes.

Almost instantly the opportunity to double the lead fell once more to Randazzo as he was found by a pinpoint pass from Benny Kouakou only to put his shot the wrong side of the right post.

A Bayswater freekick and corner later, finished with fine headers from Burton and Saldaris respectively, had the home side back on top and they carried their swagger through to the second half.

Saldaris doubled his tally early in the second half before Balcatta’s Ben Meredith brought the score back to 3-2, breathing life back into the away side’s game.

The away fans could not believe their luck when just two minutes later Balcatta striker Gustavo Catarcione, who was with Bayswater last season, thought he had scored the equaliser only for it to be adjudged offside.

The fightback was short lived, however, when another corner from Howarth found teammate McCarthy, who headed the ball through a crowded penalty area into the net.

Balcatta captain Adam Tong was an immense figure all day as he produced a dominant defensive display and marauding forward runs but could not help his side overturn the deficit.

Balcatta coach Ramon Falzon lamented his side’s poor set-piece defending but highlighted a much-improved performance in open play as they moved the ball around with purpose and confidence.

“We had five 19-year-olds in the first team today. The football has improved from the Night Series but we still have plenty of work to do,” he said.

“I’m not concerned because I know the results will come.”

Bayswater 5 (Burton 24’, 90’, Saldaris 32’, 55’, McCarthy 71’)
Balcatta 2 (Randazzo 5’, Meredith 65’)
Sunday, 16th Mar 2014
Frank Drago Reserve
Crowd: Appx 450
Kick-off: 3:00pm
Referee: Adam Fielding
Assistant referees: Gabriele Merlacco and Nico Hoyle

Bayswater: 1. Devon SPENCE, 18. James ISAIA (10. Damien CATALANO 70’), 13. Trent KAY (c), 23. Chris SALDARIS, 3. Adam BACHILLER, 16. Jamie COYNE, 6. Todd HOWARTH, 8. Paul McCARTHY, 14. Danny DIXON, 15. Brian FARRELL (17. Sahr MUSA 63’), 12. Steve BURTON
Substitutes not used: 22. Joel DRISCOLL, 2. Declan HARGREAVES, 5. Andrew REALE
Yellow cards: Coyne 42’, Kay 50’
Red cards: Nil

Balcatta: GK Damien STANOEVSKI, 12. Matt BROOK ,2. David CYRUS, 4. Kieron STALLARD (15. Alex SULESKI , 5. Adam TONG (c), 10. Marc DE FRANCESCH 17. Marc ZAGAMI (7. James SAMMUT 59’), 6. Luke RANDAZZO, 14. Ben MEREDITH (16. Matt IZZO 66’), 9. Gustavo CATARCIONE, 8. Benny KOUAKOU
Substitutes not used: RGK David PASSARELLI, 22. Kieron COLWELL,
Yellow cards: Zagami 24’, Izzo 90’
Red cards: Nil