Report by Tristan Lavalette

Subiaco produced a drought-breaking NPL WA win with a 1-0 defeat of Armadale at the WA Athletics Stadium yesterday.

An Ian McMurray strike moments before half-time proved the difference in a contest between the two bottom teams in the league.

Subiaco coach Gerry McEwan said the team would savour their first victory, which came at their 13th attempt.

“We played some good football in the first half but we only scored one goal,” he said.

“They changed their formations two or three times in the second half and they threw everything at us, so we had to hang on.

“That win should raise our confidence and we are looking forward to the next game.”

Armadale’s only NPL WA victory had been against Subiaco and the visitors were keen to dictate early, with a game plan focused on effort.

But Armadale’s chances of another victory were rocked when Jackson Bealey suffered an ankle injury in the 23rd minute, which forced an early substitution.

Armadale coach Lee Bamber turned to Alex Clarke, who had been a surprise substitute, to provide a fillip.

There was a flurry of chances late in the first half with Armadale’s Mitch Castrilli menacing in attack with multiple opportunities, including a spectacular long-range strike that hit a post.

Subiaco felt aggrieved when they believed an Armadale handball in their box was missed by referee David Bruce.

Alex Randell and Jordan Rhodes had chances to score for Subiaco, who were feeling frustrated they had not capitalised on their ascendency in general play.

Subiaco’s persistence was rewarded in the 44th minute when a long pass was cleverly flicked by Matt Akehurst to McMurray, who easily tapped the ball past Armadale goalkeeper Matthew Gould.

The game’s frenetic pace slowed in the second half as Subiaco became tentative and defensive and Armadale gained ascendency in midfield with Clarke and the tenacious Jason Barrera dominating.

As has plagued the team all season, Armadale’s delivery into attack was sloppy, making it easy for Subiaco’s defence to repel attacks. 

Armadale had one last chance to equalise in the dying minutes when Luke Bugoni pounced on a scramble in the penalty box but his desperate shot flew wide of the goal.

It ensured a roar of celebration from Subiaco’s fans and players when the final whistle sounded.

Subiaco 1 (Ian MCMURRAY 44’)
Armadale 0
Sunday 15 June, 2014
WA Athletics Stadium, Mt Claremont
Kick-off: 3.00pm
Referee: David Bruce
Crowd: 246

Armadale: 20. Matthew GOULD (gk),2. Jackson BEALEY (17. Alex CLARKE 23’), 4. Billy QUINNCROFT, 5. Nathan COSTELLO, 6. Jason BARRERA (3. Luke BUGONI 85’), 7. Faustinho MACHOCHI, 10. James ATKINS (9. Raveshian KUPPUSAMY 65’), 11. Dannie RICHMAN, 13. Sam LOVELESS, 14. Mitch CASTRILLI, 16. Mwana MUSONDA
Substitutes not used: 1. Jordan HOWELL, 8. Josh KUSER
Yellow cards: Sam LOVELESS (28’), Mitch CASTRILLI (47’), Billy QUINNCROFT (52’), Alex CLARKE (66’)
Red cards: Nil

Subiaco: 1. Jack HOWARD, 2. Nathan DIAZ, 3. Rowdy YATES, 4. Alex RANDELL, 5. Josh BOOYSEN (7. Ger FITZGERALD 86’), 6. Brad MCDONALD, 8. Jordan RHODES, 9. Ian MCMURRAY (13. Jonas DORLING 82’), 10. Guy MCDONALD, 11. Matt AKEHURST (Jack RYCROFT 77’), 16. George TCHAMI
Substitutes not used: 12. Mitch STEINBERG, 21. Henry DAVIES
Yellow cards:  Guy MCDONALD (45’), Jordan RHODES (57’), Rowdy YATES (88’)
Red cards: Nil