Report by Tommy Doleman

Photos: Vince Caratozzolo

Bayswater City bounced back from last week’s FFA Cup exit as Gustavo Giron Marulanda’s brace gave the leaders a hard-fought 2-1 win over Subiaco at Rosalie Park.

It took over an hour for the game to spring to life as Kevin White’s penalty cancelled out Marulanda’s opener all in the space of five minutes.

But just when it seemed the hosts would grind out a point, the Colombian striker popped up again four minutes from the end to seal victory.

Coach Chris Coyne acknowledged the importance of the win to regain the momentum that has them clear at the top of the NPL WA.

“It was a tough day at the office,” he said.

“We knew it was going to be tough. It was a small pitch, they’re well organised and it felt like their goalkeeper had five arms.

“We showed a bit of mental toughness to roll back up after the equaliser and get the goal with five minutes to go.

“We’re pleased with the result, not the performance, but we’ll take it. These are the places you have to come to and get three points if you want to win the league.”

It was one-way traffic in the first half as Bayswater dominated possession, but struggled to find that killer touch in the final third.

David Heagney had two great openings. The first, a lob which beat Ryan Montgomery, but also the far post before the goalkeeper was down low to deny him from Todd Howarth’s through ball.

Danny Dixon was proving to be a good outlet down the right and had an effort cleared off the line from another fizzing Howarth cross.

White then foiled Marulanda on the line with a clearance of his own, before Dixon rattled the post from distance as Bayswater kept plugging away.

They would hit the post again as Bor Bor Sam’s cross took a touch off George Tchami and was turned around by Montgomery, via a touch off the post.

But Subiaco’s resistance was finally broken from the resulting corner as Heagney headed Howarth’s corner across goal and Marulanda was there to finish from close range.

The resolute hosts would not be deterred, though, as Nathan Diaz was felled in the area five minutes later and White sent Spence the wrong way from the spot.

It looked as if Bayswater would be frustrated for a second week running, but Marulanda was at the back post from Howarth’s ball into the area to finish past Montgomery.

That would prove to be enough for the leaders and Coyne, who admitted there was added importance on the league after the events of last week when they missed out on a place in the Westfield FFA Cup Round of 32.

“It’s boom or bust for us,” he said.

“We have to win something. We’re too good an outfit not to.

“We missed out this year (on the FFA Cup), but we have to make sure we continue to do well and represent the state well if we can win the NPL.

“But there’s no pressure on the boys. If they keep getting on with it and doing what we ask of them for 90 minutes, it shouldn’t be an issue with 10 games still to go.”

Subiaco 1 (White 71’ pen)
Bayswater 2 (Marulanda 66mins, 86’)
Saturday 27 June 2015
Rosalie Park

Local kick-off: 3:00pm
 
Subiaco: GK: Ryan MONTGOMERY, 2. Nathan DIAZ, 3. Ger FITZGERALD, 4. Jackson DONGRAY, 5. Mitch STEINBERG, 8. Kevin WHITE, 10. Rory FEELY (9. Ian MCMURRAY 67’), 11. Joshua BOOYSEN, 13. George TCHAMI, 14. James OLIVER (7. Matthew AKEHURST 67’), 15. Siyang ZHANG.
Substitutes not used: 16. Ross JORDAN, 17. Jordan SCRAGG, 21. Anastasis FARSALAS
Yellow Cards: Zhang 5’, Diaz 42’, Fitzgerald 90’
Red Cards: Nil
 
Bayswater: GK: Devon SPENCE, 6. Todd HOWARTH, 8. Paul MCCARTHY (15. Brian FARRELL 80’) 9. Gustavo MARULANDA, 13. Trent KAY, 14. Danny DIXON (12. Adam TONG 85’), 16. Jamie COYNE, 17. Bor Bor SAM (2. Declan HARGREAVES 90+1), 20. Sam MITCHINSON, 21. David HEAGNEY, 23. Chris SALDARIS
Substitutes not used: 25. Jason SALDARIS, 7. Kosta SPARTA
Yellow Cards: Spence 43’, Saldaris 55’
Red Cards: Nil