Report by Kalon Harrison

Gustavo Catarcione kicked off his wedding celebrations early with a double in Balcatta’s 2-0 win over his former club Bayswater City in a National Premier Leagues WA match at Grindleford Reserve.

Catarcione, who is due to fly home to Brazil to marry his long-time partner Tammy, told Football 360 last week he would be delighted to score against Bayswater – and he got his wish with two goals in a crucial 15-minute first-half period.

Pictured: Balcatta celebrate a goal. Photo: Vince Caratozzolo

As a result, Bayswater’s lead at the top has been cut to four points, with Perth SC breathing down their neck, and Balcatta a further two points off the pace in third.

After thrashing Sorrento 5-0 last week, Balcatta coach Ramon Falzon felt his side was even better against Bayswater.

“We knew that we couldn’t afford to have passengers,” he said. “Bayswater is a very good side and put us under a lot of pressure in the second half but we held strong.”

The first goal came in the 28th minute when Lawrence Shurama played a teasing ball in behind the defence from the right and Catarcione was first to react to poke the ball into the net.

Catarcione completed his brace in the 39th minute after another ball was played in from the right – this time in front of the back four – and the number 19 swept his shot past Devon Spence with a first-time finish.

The away side came out much stronger in the second half and dominated the ball but could not get past Damien Stanoevski or the woodwork.

Bayswater substitute Adrian Caceres came closest for the away side by hitting the crossbar from the edge of the box and then a post with a spectacular bicycle kick.

Bayswater coach Chris Coyne lamented his side’s sloppy defending for Catarcione’s goals but felt his side had dominated the match.

“I can’t condone that sort of defending... the boys are better than that,” Coyne said. “I’m disappointed. I never like losing but the endeavour the boys showed... if they got one they could’ve got two or three but we can’t buy a goal at the moment.”

Balcatta FC 2 (Gustavo CATARCIONE 28’, 39’)
Bayswater City 0
Saturday 14 June, 2014
Grindleford Reserve
Kick-off: 3:00pm
Referee: Mathew Cheeseman
Crowd: approx 300

Balcatta: Damien STANOEVSKI, 3. Kieron STALLARD, 5. Adam TONG, 6. Luke RANDAZZO (13. Patrick SARA 73’), 8. David CYRUS, 9. Carlo COELHO, 14. Lawrence SHURAMA, 16. Alex CANIGLIA, 17. Kieran COLWELL, 18. Marc DE FRANCESCH, 19. Gustavo CATARCIONE (10. Matt IZZO 85’)
Substitutes not used: 21. Clint DAVIES, 7. Amir AJAN, 12. Matt BROOK
Yellow cards: Nil
Red cards: Nil

Bayswater: 1. Devon SPENCE, 5. Andy REALE (10. Damien CATALANO 76’), 13. Trent KAY, 14. Chris SALDARIS, 20. Sam MITCHINSON, 16. Jamie COYNE, 6. Todd HOWARTH, 15. Brian FARRELL, 2. Declan HARGREAVES (11. Adrian CACERES 51’), 9. Gustavo GIRON MARULANDA (7. Hassan EL YASSIRI 56’), 12. Steve BURTON
Substitutes not used: 22. Joel DRISCOLL, 3. Adam BACHILLER
Yellow cards: Nil
Red cards: Nil