Report by Alasdair Beer

Pictured: Danny Hodgson. Photo: Peter Simcox

Danny Hodgson had a hand in every Armadale goal as they notched their first PS4 National Premier League win for the year with a 3-1 away success against Balcatta.

A Hodgson brace either side of half time put the visitors 2-0 ahead before he provided an assist to Sam Cole to assure victory at Grindleford Reserve.

New arrival Hodgson said the win was a great moment for the club.

“I came to the club six weeks into the season, so it’s still a new team for me,” he said.

“But you can see how much it means to the boys and hopefully we can build on the win.”

The match began slowly with both sides taking time to create chances.

Gustavo Catarcione nearly put the hosts ahead in the 34th minute only to see his shot rebound off a post.

Faustino Machochi then tested Balcatta keeper Clint Davies from long range, his powerful shot drawing a diving save.

Hodgson opened the scoring in the first minute of added time in the first half when he hit a curling strike past Davies after Raveshlan Kuppusamy launched a swift counter attack.

Armadale carried their momentum into the second half and Hodgson sent a direct free kick just wide after five minutes.

He made no mistake in the 54th minute, however, after getting a toe to Machochi’s cross and his shot dribbled off the post and over the line.

Catarcione tried to drag his side back into the match, winning a penalty for the hosts in the 74th minute after a rash tackle in the area.

Armadale’s Dylan Wilson was equal to the task, however, and kept out Steve Sokol’s spot kick with a great save.

Balcatta atoned seven minutes later as Mark Zagami ran onto a long ball before hitting a skillful lob over Wilson on the volley.

The hosts thought they had equalised a minute later as Blamo Quaqua’s effort went achingly close to deflecting in off the post.

Sam Cole then put the result beyond doubt, heading home in the 88th minute after Hodgson showed great strength to pass his man at the touchline and whip in a cross.

The win was Armadale coach Paul Price's first at the club.

“The performance was fantastic,” he said. “Balcatta are a good side, but I think we had more chances and were the better team.”

Price felt the result came from a cohesive team effort.

“Danny (Hodgson) played very well today but it was great all-round performance from everyone today,” he said.

“Our average age is 20, whereas other teams are 25 or 26, so I’m very happy with what we’ve done today.”

Armadale travel to Sorrento next week, while Balcatta return to Grindleford Reserve to host Stirling Lions.

Balcatta SC 1 (Zagami 81 mins)
Armadale 3 (Hodgson 45+1, 54’, Cole 88’)
Saturday, June 13, 2015
Grindleford Reserve
Kick-off: 3pm
Referee: David Bruce
Assistants: Ammar Timour; Marcus Watts

Balcatta: GK Clint DAVIES, 3 Kieron STALLARD, 4 Alexsandar SULESKI, 8 Simon LEDUN (14 Steve SOKOL 53’), 10 Adrian CACERES (7 James SAMMUT 57’), 11 Gustavo CATARCIONE, 17 Kieran COLWELL, 20 Patrick QUINN, 22 Jordan COLASANTE (13 Patrick SARA 72’), 23 Mark ZAGAMI, 50 Blamo QUAQUA
Substitutes not used: 18 Shazalee RAMLEE, 21 Daniel PASSARELLI
Yellow cards: Sammut 7’, Stallard 82’, Zagami 87’

Armadale: GK Dylan WILSON, 2 Nick CRERAND, 5 Sam LOVELESS, 6 Jake SARDELIC, 7 Faustino MACHOCHI, 8 Danny HODGSON, 9 Darren FRANCIS, 10 Raveshlan KUPPUSAMY, 11 Jackson BEALEY, 12 Sam COLE, 14 Mitch CASTRILLI
Substitutes not used: 1 Alex RODONITCH, 3 Sam KHANKHALILI, 13 Jamal YUSOF, 16 Kade MCNAMARA, Beau Abdul RAHIM
Yellow cards: Loveless 33’