Report by Ghaz Ramli
Photos: Khairil Ajhar Jaafar

Trent Kay led from the front as Bayswater strengthened their position at the top of the PS4 National Premier Leagues WA with a 2-1 away win against Balcatta.

The captain netted what proved to be a deserved winner on the stroke of half time after Todd Howarth cancelled out Gustavo Catarcione’s early goal.

Both teams had chances to score further goals but two was enough Bayswater, who used the host’s early strike as a wake-up call, according to coach Chris Coyne.

“The early goal made us work hard to get back to the game,” he said. 

“I think we could have had a bigger score line but we just could not convert out chances.”

Coyne praised the overall performance of his team, but insisted they couldn’t rest on their laurels in the coming weeks 

“We are constantly trying to improve and ensure the players work hard for their spot in the starting 11,” he said.

“We focus on all components (at the club) and that includes the coaching staff, goalkeeper coaching as well the playing group.”

Balcatta got off to the ideal start as Catarcione scored inside five minutes, but that only breathed new life into the visitors.

Clint Davies pulled off several crucial saves to maintain Balcatta’s lead, most notably tipping over Brian Farrell’s effort.

Bayswater almost equalised when Danny Dixon’s cross from the right found Howarth, but the latter was unable to find the net.

Three minutes later Gustavo Giron Marulanda was fouled just outside the box and Howarth made the most of the free-kick to draw Bayswater level.

Balcatta had to step up their defence and were challenged again after trickery from Bor Bor Sam brought the best out of Davies.

Kay then made no mistake in first half stoppage time to underline Bayswater’s authority and give them a 2-1 lead at the break.

Balcatta pushed forward in search of an equaliser in the second half. Adrian Caceres came closest in the 71^st minute as his shot rolled past the post, but they were unable to break down Bayswater and coach Ramon Falzon acknowledged the visitors deserved the win.

“We need to get back to basics,” he said.

“Ball movement and making forward runs with or without the ball is something we need to build on.” 

Bayswater also hit the bar twice in the second half, but 2-1 was enough to keep City at the top of the league by virtue of goals scored.

Balcatta 1 (Gustavo Catarcione 5min)
Bayswater 2 (Todd Howarth 38min, Trent Kay 45+2’)
Saturday, May 9, 2015
Grindleford Reserve
Kick-off: 3pm
Referee: Adam Fielding
Assistants: Josh Nixon & Marco Rajakovic            

Balcatta: 1 Clint Davies, 4 Alexander Suleski, 3 Kieron Stallard, 5 Adam Tong (C), 23 Marc Zagami, 7 James Sammut (18 Shazalee Ramlee 86min), 13 Patrick Sara (10 Adrian Caceres 56min), 15 Marc De Francesch, 20 Patrick Quinn, 6 Luke Randazzo (14 Steve Sokol 63min), 9 Gustavo Catarcione
Yellow cards: Zagami 23, Tong 37, Suleski 58, Catarcione 76

Bayswater City: 1 Devon Spence, 20 Sam Mitchinson, 23 Christopher Saldaris, 13 Trent Kay (C), 16 Jamie Coyne, 2 Declan Hargreaves, 14 Danny Dixon, 6 Todd Horwarth, 15 Brian Farrell (21 David Heagney 54min), 9 Gustavo Giron Marulanda (8 Paul McCarthy 73min), 17 Bor Bor Sam (19 Phil Arnold 80min)
Yellow cards: Hargreaves 80, Dixon 86